St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-25
Fire Department Investiga-
ton May Develop More
Than Is Supposed.
Men Connected With the De-
partment Who See No
Active Service.
New Light Thrown on the
Fight for the Park Board
Attorneyship.
Three Ministers Discuss Far
ibault and Saltwater
Public Schools.

The taxpayers of the city of Mime
apolis will watch with no little interest
the action of the council on the much
talked-of Irregularities in the fire de-
partment pay rolls. Ever since the re-
moval of Chief Stetson there have been
many prominent citizens keeping one
eye on the workings of the department
The insurance underwriters have been
very warm under the collar on more
than one occasion and have tried every
possible means to find reason for decap-
ltatlng the chief officially. Many of the
insurance men are now OF an opinion
that. If the council thoroughly Sits the
pay roll question, enough data will come
to the surface to make it especially
warm for the chief and at least one
alderman. That Aid. Woodland has been
the "brains'' and had the necessary sin
fuence" during the chiefs reign is very
we'll known to those that have had
any dealings with the department.
1t was Woodland that pulled the wire
and mustered the strength that caused
Runge'S promotion, and naturally
President Potter appointed him chair
man OF the fire department committee.
HE has been exceedingly interested
in the workings of the department" re-
marked member of the committee to a
GLOBE representative recently. Wood
ard and the chief are on very intimate
terms, and the former freq emily visits
headquarters to talk about the necessi-
ties of the department. Not long ago
Woodland conceived an idea that there
ough to be three new fire engines pur-
nhncAh nd l1 1I.. Is,
commended the purchase of the same.
There was at least one member of the
committee decidedly opposed to any
such action, and Mr.. Chairman, falling
to receive all the signatures of the mem
DerS of the committee to the resolution
authorizing the purchase of the engines
without even advertising for bids, took
the piece of paper and tore it into 500
pieces, saying, 'Pil get even with you,'
meaning the member that did not sign
the resolution"
Just what will be done regarding
Aid. Gray'S expose no one knows. Aid.
Woodland disclaims any knowledge of
the irregularities, and naturally the fire
department committee would investi-
gate charges. Several of the aldermen.
however, think it quite advisable to APP
point a special committee and make
Aid. Gray chairman of it. 1t is under
stood that several of the firemen are
going toprefer charges against the chief
Tor showing favoritiSm. 1t is said that
member of the department that was
recently appointed, and without Sub
bling" OF examination, is having a very
easy time. He lives in Aid. Woodlands
ward and is known as a hustler at cleo
ton time. He is skilled mechanic'
l: e. painter, blacksmith and bod car
rler. He reports nearly every day at
the repair shop for duty, and when
weary departs for his home. He does
not sleep III any engine house nights as
all the other mechanics are required to,
and this makes the firemen trifie sore.
Then there are the four blackSmithS
that are enjoying themselves immensely
and getting very good pay for it. None
of these, with the possible exception of
one, have to do fire duty or sleep
in engine houses. Last year it cost the
CITY about $1,000 for the shoeing of
horses in the fire department. This
year il will cost no less than $1,000 for
the help, say nothing about the expense
of keeping two extra horses and the
coal and iron bill. 1t might be men
toned that the fire department pay roll
calls for the employment OF but two
DlacksmithS, while four are OH that kind
of work.
The firemen are interested in this in
vestigation for purely personal reasons,
that is, those who are captains and lieu
tenants. The council recently took ac-
ton looking toward raising their sal
aries. They are afraid now that this in
vestigation will result in stopping the
attempt to raise their pay.