The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-07
FIRE COMMISSIONERS MEET.
The Auxiliary System Refntes
Allegations Against 1t.
A Rufianly Truckmsn Dismissed From the
Department for Assaplting Couduc-
tor-Two Appointments.

Chief Scannell was not present at the
meeting OF tile Board of Fire Commissioners
yesterday afternoon for the reason that he
is too Ill to be on duty. Assistant Sullivan,
who Is the acting Chief, represented him.
The first matter taken UP was the reading
of a communication from the Pacific Auxil-
liary Fire Alarm Company, action upon
which was postponed until the Chief is able
to be in attendance
In the communication. Louis Sloss Jr,
president of the company, says:
The daily press. to reporting your last meeting.
credits Chef Scannell wi b making tie follow Ing
statement ia regard 10 the Auxiliary Fire Alarm
False alarm after false alarm has been sent
In, aud never KneW OF a case of fire sem In bv
an auxiliary box
The Chief must have been laboring under
Misrepresentation ana L VIII therefore correct
the above. An examination Of the official record
OF the Board OF Underwriters for the past six
months shows that % false or unnecessary
alarms have been turned in 10 the Fire Depart
meht; 20 OF th-se came from city boxes and tive
from auxiliary boxes, which speaks well for The
auxiliary syst IN when IL Ia considered tuat the
boxes must be located IN exposed places to be
accessible promptly when fire occurs, and that
there are IN use 1900 auxiliary boxes, as against
only 2lO city boxes.
The latter uart of the Chiefs statement is re-
tnied by quoting few cases out OF the many
on record ~ which auxiliary boxes have prov+ q
thelr value by preventing nres gaining headway
Then follows a long list OF alarms sent in
from auxiliary boxes giving timely warning
and preventing serious fires. The writer
then adds:
/ might continue the list 10 some length, but
these few cases will show how serviceable aux.
Hilary boxes have been, and they are indoTsed by
both Insured aud Insurers. The Insurance
Union makes reduction 10 Taie on premises
equipped with our boxes. The auxiliary system
Is intended 10 turn In alarms quickly, aud there
by prevent dangerous fires; consequently their
use Is bound TO result IA alarms for small or ap-
palently trivial hTes, but these same trivial fires
Win little delay IN giving alarms would quickly
spread lnio serious confiagratious. The auXi-
laty boxes are In use In tn following cities and
In every place, including this city. have The un-
quaiihed Enforcement OF the underwriters aud
al progressive FIRE depart ment officials: Boston
Baltimore, Pitsburg. Providence. Philadelphia
cleveland, Portland Me, Fail River. Ansonia
Brooklyn, Washington, Seattle, Lowell.
In this city the taxpayers have placed 1900
auxiliary boxes In their business houses, factor
les and all classes of property, and this is a
strong indication that they approve OF tie sys-
TEN and wish II continued.
Then follows list of merchants who
have Endorsed the box system. The COM
municatl0n closes with copy Of letter of
Endorsement from A. c. Hendricks, for
merly Chief Engineer of the New Haven
Comm Fire Department and now the gen.
eral Inspector OF The National Board Of
Underwriters.
Upon recommendation of Acting Chief
Sullivan Fred Robertson was appointeJ
liam Mcdonald was elected member of
tuck company g. vice Barry
Lawrence Conan, a member of truck l.
was tried on "A charge Of violating the rules
OIL the department relating to gentlemanly
conduct. According to the testimony his
conduct on the afternoon Of July II was
most rufiianly. He boarded a Howard
street cabe-car near Tenth aud refused TO
pay bis fare. Then he proclaimed that
he was fireman. but refused 10 display his
badge. lie was under the Influence Of liquor
and used pr0fane language. With tile as
sistance OF the gTipman, the conductor, l..
Ash, dragged him from the car. Conan
ran forward, Jumped on the dummy and
grappled with the conductor. Both me n
rolled into the street ami during the scrim-
Mage TIE conductor Was kicked three times.
When placed under arrest for battery ana
disturbing the peace Cpnlan tried TO kick
Officer Morrisey in the face. The charges
against COnlan are still pending IN Depart
ment Of the Police Court
After hearing all these circumstances. re-
lated by witnesses, the Commissioners dis
missed C0nlan from the department.