The morning call., 1893-04-16
FOR FIERY VALOR.
An Incentive to Heroic
Achievements.
Views of the Mayor, Auditor and
Chief Engineer on the Subject
of the ScanneII Medal.

In his will the late David Scannell left
$1,000 to constitute a perpetual fund the
annual interest on which was to be applied
to the purchase of a medal TO be presented
to the member of the Fire Department per-
forming the most daring feats in saving
life and property during the year.
Tie will of the late veteran chief en-
gineer also provides that the Mayor. Chief
of The Fire Department and Auditor shall
constitute a board of trustees 10 invest the
money.
As yet Ma yor Ebert, Chief Sullivan and
Auditor Broderick have held no conference
as to what course they will adopt to carry
out the bequest. No steps can be taken,
however, until the will has teen probated.
These gentlemen meanwhile have signified
their intention TO accept the trust and TO
endeavor 20 give 1t the best effect possible.
Mayor Ellert, who was interviewed on
the subject by a CALL reporter, said that he
had not given any thought to tEe matter Is
yet. The details would all have to be care
fully considered. IL the fund was care
fully invested 1t could not be made to yield
more than 500 per annum. or about per
cent on the principal. This amount ought
TO secure very handsome gold medal The
question of design for the medal would, of
course, arise. he thought that it would be
a very appropriate thing to commemorate
in some manner on the trophy the founder
OF the medal fund. The head or profile OF
David Seanuell might be engraved on one
side Of tie trophy. 1t might be good plan.
he said To Invite artists and designers TO TO
eOmpete for the honor of furnishing the
design.
Auditor Broderiek said that he thought
the Seannell trophy should be in the shape
of tireman's badge. but of such distinctive
character as TO be instantly recognized apart
from any other However he was not pEe-
pared TO pass an opinion on the subject
until he had given IL some thought The
views Of 1iremen ought to be invited, and
much would depend upon their wishes in
the matter Some Insurance company
might possibly be induced TO offer premium
for the best design for the medal
going 10 any expense on this account.
Chief Engineer Sullivan, when asked for
his opinion, replied that the honor of wear
ing Scannell medal would hereafter be
nne OF the greatest ambitions Of San
Francisco fireman. lie could not say any
thing about the cost or design until he had
talked the matter over with the Mayor and
Auditor. He added that he thought the
first thing To be done would be TO send on
10 New York for particulars as to the man.
sgement of the Bennett fire medal fund.
The trustees of the Scannell fund would
thereby get the benefit OF the experience
acquired in that city, where the annual
selection Of the bravest fireman in the New
/ oIh Otty Ilfe department anu lDe pre-
sentation OF the Bennett medal were Two of
the most interesting local events of the
year in the great metropolis.
The annual presentation Of a gold medal
to the braYest fireman in san francisco is
destined to be an event OF equally absorbing
interest in this city.
The Bennett medal is of gold, the size of
a trade dollar, and worth intrinsiealIy about
$50. It is suspended from a bar OF the same
metal, which serves as clasp. The face
. ia.n
of the figure Of Neptune surrounded by sea
nynphs and fire iend. On the reverse,
surrounded by wreath of laurel leaves, are
the words: presented to IN apprecia-
tiOn Of mertorioas performance of duty as
fireman. I. Bailey Meyers, Robert L.
Hona and Iarons MI