The herald., 1893-10-19
SOME HREMEN WERE ABSENT,
A Harsh Criticism of Fire De-
partment Members.
Commissioner Brodrick Causes an
Investigation.
The Fire Commission Holds a Lively
Session, in Witch thefDspsrt-
msnt Is Very Badly
Scored.

A lively debate and few hot words
characterized the executive session oI
the fire commissioners yesterday morn
ing.
The cause OF the unusual occurrence
was brought about by the recent fire in
the Stowell block, the management ol
which by the fire department has been
very harshly criticised.
AS was expected, Chief Curran did
not present his resignation. On the
other hand, he was commended for
his action in extinguishing the fire as
soon as he did.
The discussion referred to was occa-
stoned by the remarks of Commissioner
Brodrick who said that much OF the
comment made was done partly through
unlairness ana partly through ignor-
ance.
whilst the mass of citizens were on
| Spring street watching in broad day
light the clumsy and abortive efforts to
raise the ladders and hose" said Mr..
Brodrick. 1.-TWO lines of hoee had been
elevated by means of the FIRE escapes to
the third and fifth stories in the rear OF
the building on Mott alley. Two other
lines of hose had also been carried up
the stairs of the Spring street entrance,
and with all of these the firemen did
good work, although it could not be
seen, and therefore not appreciated by
the spectators on Spring street.
"Mr. Stowell, owner OF the building,
and others, who were in the upper part
Of the building during the progress of
the fire, expressed themselves as satis-
fed with the fremen's work, and the
Cass & Smurr company, whose store is
on the lower floor, know that they were
being inundated while the futile efforts
were being made on the Spring street
front. So there wasn't much delay in
getting water on.
persons gazing at the ladder spec
tacle assert that it was 20 to 80 minutes
before water was got into the building.
but their vision was confined to the
front. There may have been too much
water used, but any man OF good judg
ment knows that when fire is chasing
through an elevator shaft and burning
with good draught between the CELL
ing and roof, fremen cannot measure
water out by the gallon. 1t wouldn't
be safe to do so.
with respect to the hook and ladder
company, am told that the foreman
and two OF the callmen we're absent.
and that one of the callmen who was
there was afraid to mount the ladders
and hid himself in the building. l am
also informed that the driver and tiller-
man refused to lend q helping hand,
ever necessary, as it was in this case,
tba farar,or nd fxu0 IN or, haiun oh.
sent.
"As an eye witness can say that the
work OF the hook and ladder company
WAS bungling, and If, after investiga-
ton, the board finds facts to be as re-
ported, we should dismiss the whole
crew. Investigation is in order"
Mr.. Hanna OF the firm of Hanna &
Webb appeared before the commission
and said he wished to criticise the man
agement of the fire. He said he under
etood that over half an hour elapsed be-
fore water was turned upon the building,
and thought that the damage from water
was three times as great as the damage
by fire.
Chief Curran asked Mr.. Hanna if he
was aware that the fire was fought from
the rear of the building.
This caueed an argument between the
chief and Mr.. Hanna, which the mayor
interrupted by saying:
"Mr. Hanna, If you will send in COM
munication the commission will take
notice OF it. This ia no matter for such
an argument"
After some discussion and the trans
acting of routine business, the commits
sion went into executive session to dis
cuss the matter. The meeting was
taken up principally by the discussion
OF Mr.. Brodrick's remarks as to the
failure of some of the iremen to do
their duty.
1t is understood that the chief was in
structed to investigate the matter, and
il the men were found to have shirked
their duty to suspend them at once. A
full report is expected at the next meet
ing.
TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM.
A communication was received from
Electrician Thye requesting that addi-
tional instruments for the fire alarm
system be purchased. The matter was
referred to committee of Messrs.
Kuhrts, McLain and Thye to make spe-
cifcations and improve the system
which is badly needed. The instru-
ments needed are for the fire headquar-
ters at the city hall and the new engine
house. The instruments used in the
Office at present are two small and too
antiquated.
OTHER MATTERS. f
The chief reported, recommending
the purchase of 25O0 feet OF fire hose,
and on motion of Mr.. Brodrick 1000 feet
were ordered purchased by the council.
The chief reported having received
check for 800 from N. w. Stowell in
recognition of the services rendered by
the department at the fire on the 14th
instant. The amount was ordered placed |
in the relief fund, and Mr.. Stowell WAS
heartily thanked for the donation.
The demand Of w. G. Furrey & Co. |
for $4520, for the new engine, was ap-
proved.
The Communication from the city
clerk regarding numb Der of acquisitions
was referred to Messrs. Kuhrts and Nc
Lain.
The application OF G. W. Schultz for a
position as callman was fled.
The requisitions for the purchase of
two horses for tha department were ap-
proved.
Colorado
is a splendid place for people with weak lungs,
H. - IL. H.