The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-03-24
HELPING BINFORD OUT.
Mayor Lundy's Pet in the Hands of
Y His Friends.
How he Didn't Fight the Trust Building
Fire ca steamless Steamer
with No Coal.

OGDEN, Utah, March 23.-Mayor Lundy
and the fire commission began their in
vestigation of the charges OF incompet-
ency made against Chief Binford and
members of the fire department on ac-
count of their department at the Trust
building fire. No direct or specific
charges have been made, except by the
public generally, yet numerously
signed petition asking for Binford's re-
moval is under consideration by the coun-
ell, and was the cause of the investigating
committee taking action.
Time was called al 10 O'Clock, and the
morning session last until about noon
and the afternoon session from 1870 D. m.
10 p m, when an adjournment was
taken until this evening at 1880 O'Clock.
Captain Donnell, mogul of the Pacific
insurance union, was present 20 see that
the insurance men got square deal, but
took little part in the proceedings, be-
yond 1nJerposing an occasional question,
which usually drew blood, and listening
attentiyely to the testimony.
As was predicted would be the case,
many of those vitality interested in the
case refused to observe the mandate OF
Mayor Lundy and his commission, and
failed to put in appearance. Although
were times when the proceedings Jagged
for dearth of witnesses, the officers sent
out by the mayor having failed TO skirmish
up the absentees. One of the gentlemen
summoned stated that he did not care to
go before the committee and aid Lundy In
embarrassing his pet. He was unable to
see the necessity of an investigation,
when every member of the committee was
a warm supporter of Binford, and would
decide in his favor no matter which way
the cat jumped.
Notwithstanding the lack of interest
manifested, great amount of testimony
was taken. 1t was only too apparent
that the committee favored Binford and
while the witnesses were allowed to
ramble at viii, every direct ques-
ton asked was intended to show
some redeeming feature in Binford' S
career. In substance. the evidence
showed that while at first there was not
sufficient gravity pressure to throw the
water above the third story, no effort was
made TO fight the fire on the inside,
where a good pressure could have been
secured by means of the hose on every
floor. Nor was the steamer pressed into
service for considerable time, and when
1t arrived there was no coal IN the tender
and the fire box was dead. Before head
of steam was secured the fire in the build
ing had eaten around through the loft and
was raging with great ferceness in the
top stories.
Several theories were advanced as to
the origin of the fire, but that given by
THE HERALD correspondent the night of
the great blaze is the one generally ac-
cepted.
In order to enliven proceedings Mayor
Lundy and Binford took occasion to
ssburn up'' the press. The TRADES had
been expected, but had little effect, be-
yond creating a general laugh. His honor
said the newspapers had told so many and
such variegated lies concerning the fire
that they are beginning to believe them
themselves.
But little was done at the night session.
Several witnesses were put on the stand,
the testimony being very.similar to that
already in. The hearing viii be resumed
in the morning.