The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-11
TWO HEADS COME OFF.
Chief Kellogg After Captains
Who Threw Him Down.
They Are Charged With Insubordina-
ton and Disrespect of . Superior
Onicer-Kcllogg's Statement.


| pany No. 1, and Captain Alvin Miller. of
chemical engine company No. .. were sus-
| pended yesterday by Chief Kellogg for
| general INSTRUMENTATION and disrespect to
superior officers. Chief Kellogg requested
! Captain Hunt to resign and the captain
| concluded to do so but afterward changed
| his mind and last evening notified the
chief that he would no, comply with the
| request, whereupon he was Immediately
suspended. Fireman NJ +. Kelleher has
| succeeded to the position made vacant by
| Captain Hunt, and Lieutenant Zahn will
| temporarily succeed Captain Miller.
| 1t is thought by Chief Kellogg and others
of the department that neither Captain
Hunt nor Captain Miller will demand an
| investigation of the charges and that they
will be content to allow the suspension to
| take the shape of a discharge.
Chief Kellogg expressed a great deal Of
surprise last evening that the board of
| aldermen should have declined to confirm
his reappointment on Thursday. He be-
| lieyes that its action is due entirely to err
roneous reports which have reached GER
| tain members of the board concerning
himself and his manner of work, and he
only regrets that he was not given a
chance to disprove any secret charges that
may have been made. Although the chief
declined to say so, it is said that he be-
lieves the stories circulated among the
aldermen emanated directly from Captain
Hunt and Captain Miller, who have long
been opposed to the present head of the
department. Said the chief last evening:
According to the best information at
hand l believe that the council based its
refusal to confirm my reappointment on
certain false rumors and reports which
emanated directly from certain members
OF the fire department who have been dis
| appointed In their expectations. / only
wish the councilmen had given me
| fighting chance by making known their
| objections. Had they done this l am con-
| fident their action would have been differ
ent, although I stand ready to give my
buttons to any one Democrat or Repub-
lican, who is regularly appointed and prop
erly qualities.
"One story which has gone to the alder
men, and is believed by at least one or two
| of the board. came around to me today.
| Some time ago one the best firemen in the
| department, man who can not be repro
| duced in the city, was guilty OF drunken
ness. l could not afford to lose him,
| neither could overlook so serious an
| offense, so fined him one mouths pay
| 800. A few days later l received letter
| from the commissioners requesting me to
| modify the punishment, saying that they
| thought the fine excessive, inasmuch as
the fireman had already been severely
| punished by the disgrace into which he
had fallen. | called the fireman into my
| office, read to him the letter, and stated
| to him that, while J. was not bound
| to change my decision. still
| would make the fine merely
nominal one and locked him for five days
only. desired that the matter be kept
| quiet, but it became known that the fire.
man drew $75 at the end of the month, be-
ing only SIS out. 1t has now been repre-
sented to the aldermen that received that
! $75 How they think received it or by
what hook or crook am supposed to have
| himfiammed the fireman out of it do not
| know"
The chief says that the discomfort III the
| department, the INSTRUMENTATION which at
times would crop out among the men
could always he traced to Captain Hunt
and Captain Miller.
The removal of Captain Hunt is liable to
lead to considerable unpleasantness Mayor
| Ronald. at the investigation of charges
made by tiremen against Chief Kellogg
some weeks ago, stated that while he con-
sidered the department to be in excellent
condition, he believed Kellogg to be easily
| preiudiced. Kellogg denied it, and de
clared that he never allowed personal con-
siderations to influence him.
Yesterday. when the news reached the
mayor that Hunt had been suspended, he
said it was confirmation of the opinion
he had expressed of Kellogg.
my view of it Is" he said, "that Kel-
iogg has suspended Hunt because he re-
piled to the questions of President Kloe-
her, of the house of delegates. Dr. Kloeber
asked Hunt if it was true that Gillian had
been required to forfeit months pay
! when he was suspended for thirty DAYS.
| Hunt replied that all he knew of the mat
ter was what Gillian had told him, and
that was that although the board
| suspended him for n month he was only
laid off five days. Hunt is close
| mouthed man as rule and Kellogg has
told me he was one of the best men on the
force. Yet nothing is found against him
until he makes cautious reply to a ques-
ton put by man occupying such an Off
Cial position rs to make it necessary
| courtesy 10 reply to him"
| toliiluissionefS hanaley ana Jones were
| present and both denied that Kellogg's ac-
| ton was unwarranted
II knew before that Hunt was to be sus-
pended" said Mr. Jones. II expressed no
! opinion upon the merits of the case when
Kellogg spoke to me of Hunts various
acts of INSTRUMENTATION, but Just told Kel-
logg TO suspend him if. in his judgment, it
was desirable. and then TO bring the
| charges before the board"
Il have been closely connected with
Kellogg for long time" said Commits
sioner kahaey. land / deny that kellogg
| lets his prejudices get away with him.
don't intend TO say anything about Hunts
case until il is before the board but if
Kellogg is right l am going to stand by
| him"
| We'll" replied the mayor, "uniess I
am satisfied that Kellogg has had a good
! substantial reason for suspend;ng Hunt.
am done with him. don't believe in
| Furnishing one man and favoring another.
am told that Gillian was found asleep at
his post, Yet he gets Off through Kellogg's
| favoritism."