The morning call., 1892-01-24
BEAR M'CARTHY'S
WHITE HAT.
The Suspended District Engineer
Restored to Fire Duty.
Lively Session of the Commission in Which
Chairman Schmitt Tried to De-
fine His Position.

John Mccarthy is again on duty as Dis
trict Engineer of the Fire Department, al
though lie was suspended upon vague
charges of bribery through the manipula-
tions of the Kelly-Crimmins junta.
When the routine business had been
disposed of at the meeting Of the
Board of Fire Commissioners yesterday
afternoon, Chairman Schmitt explained
that in pursuance of information given
by the Commissioner Chief Scannell
had suspended Mccarthy. THE charges
are serious" said he, land while many may
think 1t hardship that the names of the
accusers are withheld, that action was
deemed a precautionary measure. The de-
partment will be ready to try the accused
within twenty-four hours. After the wit
nesses for the department have testified,
Mccarthy will De given ample time to pre-
pare a defense"
us an affidavit attached to the COM
plant?" asked Commissioner Martin.
mo, sir" answered Schmitt.
Martin-DO you think it right that no
other member of the board than yourself
should have the names Of the accusersP
Schmitt-Well, may have received the
information as an individual citizen and not
as a member Of the board
A DEMAND FOR THE NAMES.
Martin-As member of this commission,
demand that the names of those parties be
given and that the charges be sworn to be-
fore a notary public.
Schmitt-I have rights outside of those as
Fire Commissi0ner-right as a citizen, and
there is no law TO compel HE TO give up the
names of the men who accuse the suspended
engineer Of bribery.
Martini contend that, if anything comes
before this commission, | have right to
know il.
Schmitt-YOu will know at the proper
time. II Mccarthy desires to waive time
the Chairman can call a special meeting at
any time to try him.
Ames-I was not present at the secret
meeting last Wednesday. Had | been here
! should had been in favor Of making the
charges complete and explicit. AS the mat
ter now stands there Is nothing before the
commission. Ii the complaint Is defective
il is for the defendant himself 10 take cog
nizance # and not for the commission. The
poorer the complaint the better / Is for the
defendant.
Martini claim have a right 10 know
what happens before this commission, In
secret and otherwise.
Ames-I am as much in the dark about
this matter as you are.
sCHMITT WOULD NOT DIvULGE.
Martini want to find out II the accusers
may be believed under oath.
SChmitt-l have no doubt the accusers
Will come here and swear to what they told
me before witnesses until the parties come
here, | will not divulge their names.
Martin-Ihen move that Mccarthy be re-
instated until found guilty Of the charges.
My reason is this We have one District
Engineer, D0lan, disabled. and now the city
needs all the District Engineers 1t can have
claim that property needs the protection of
Mccarthy at the present time
Scnmitt-I think DO engineer should be on
duty VINO has been accused OF such serious
Otlenses.
Ames-It is a serious charge against Me-
Carthy, but at present no serious harm can
be- done by allowing Mccarthy 10 retain his
position. In two other cases We have per-
mittcd suspended members Of the depart
ment to resume their duties pending the
hearing Of charges.
Anes seconded Martins motion, but
amended II so that Mccarthy viii be re-
stored 10 fire duty only, aud not as Fire
Warden. The motion was adopted by the
votes of Martin, Ames, Brown and Parsons.
Schmitt voted IN the negative.
MATTERS OF ROUTINE.
Routine matters were disposed of with
alacrity. The resignation Of /. R0Senheim
Of No. > Truck was accepted.
John Cook, stOker Of Engine :, was placed
on the retired list with pension of $40 a
mOnth-half pay. He has been IN the ser
vice twenty-four years, is 90 years old and
disabled.
1t was decided to recommend that the
Board OF Supervisors pay John Harris,
driver of Engine H. $50 for injuries sus-
tanned on the 18th Of last November
Upon the Cuiet's recommendation Joseph
McG0vern was appointed stokcr Of Engine
Is, and William SchatOn stOker OF Engine I.
1t was decided TO place Thomas +. Shields
on the Te,ired list wi a pension Of SIT 80 a
month, halt the salary If an extraman.
William +. Douglass, engineer OF Engine
IL. pleaded guilty to q charge Of neglect in
falling to report for duty at the expiration
of a leave of absence. He explained that he
remained away to take care Of a very sick
wife
The commission openly sympathjzed with
him hnt in the lnlerest Of pnnd disci nllna