The record-union., 1893-02-24
MAHoNEY's BILL KNOCKED OUT.

The Efficiency of Fire Departments
Not to Be Increased.
Senator Mahoney's Paid Fire Depart
ment bill. which gracefully passed the
Senate. met violent death in the lower
house yesterday afternoon.
In brief, the bill provides that the City
Council of any municipality, authorized
by law to maintain paid fire depart
ment, may by ordinance, for increasing
the efficiency of the department, author
ize the appointment and continued en-
ployment of such assistant engineers,
members, firemen and other help as the
needs of said department may require;
and may fix their salaries and compensa-
ton, and may also increase the salaries
of the officers now authorized by law if
such salaries are deemed inadequate.
TO LIMIT EXPENSES.
An amendment was offered by Mr.
Conway to the effect that the expenses of
such fire departments shall not exceed
$4,000 per annum; that all officers, mem
bers and employees appointed or en-
ployed under the power conferred by the
bill shall receive the same salaries as are
or may be by law allowed to like officers,
members and employees within said
municipality, except foremen, who may
be paid not exceeding Sl25 per month
each, and hosemen and hook and ladder
men, who may be paid not exceeding SIS
per month each. No company organized
or maintained shall have greater num-
Der of officers, members or employees
than nr hy 10
pany within any municipality.
No sooner was the amendment read
than Mr.. Kahn was on his feet and
moved to lay the whole matter on the
table-the amendment and original bill
with it. He did not propose to consume
hours in debate and dilatory tactics.
Il am unalterably opposed to this
measure" said he. 81 yield to no gen
tleman on the floor of this House in hon
est desire to have a full paid fire depart
ment, but this measure is not drawn in
theinterest ofgood government, but rather
in the interest of a political machine.
AN UNHoLY ALLIANCE.
"When dethroned Democratic boss"
continued Mr.. Kahn, sis welded in un-
holy alliance with would-be Republican
boss, and they are found favoring the
measure; when prize-fghters, thugs,
ward-strikers and political hangers-on
are found lobbying for the bill, want to
ask the gentlemen of this Assembly
whether they believe the bill is an honest
one or whether it does not SAVIOR of being
an Act favorable to disreputable politi-
clans.
1.-THE author of this bill. on hearing
that would oppose it, remarked to me,
We will still continue to do politics just
the same.' 1 care nothing for his i'm
piled threat. If my attitude on this
measure is to be my political death llnell,
l say now that L would sooner die politi-
cally, knowing I had stood up for what l
considered right and honest, rather than
ride to power on the crest of a measure
that tends TO strengthen the position of
dishonest, disreputable political BOSSES"
AS soon as the applause of Mr.. Kahn's
remarks died out, Mr.. Taylor arose and
spoke in behalf of the bill as it would be
if amended. This bill principally affects
San Francisco" said he, 'and there is no
other large city but what has absolute
control over its fire department.
''In the second place." he continued, 81
am authorized by the author of this bill
(Mr. Mahoney) to deny the assertions OF
the gentleman who has preceded me, that
the whole of San Francisco is opposed to
this measure.
CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS.
81 was opposed to the bill without the
amendment, but in its amended form 1
heartily favor it. 1t stands to reason that
under the provisions OF this bill the de-
partment will become more efficient and
the commercial interests of the city en-
hanced." In closing Mr.. Taylor said no
man can capably serve two masters.
My constituents would consign me to
oblivion if L did not oppose this meas
ure," followed Mr.. Dodge. at affects all
cities as well as San Francisco. This
measure simply gives governing bodies
more political power, which will event
ually make political machine out of all
fire departments. Besides giving to every
city paraphernalia, etc., for the necessary
help, this bill bestows the option to in
crease the expenses to $4,000. 1t also
provides for continued employment oi
officers, which people everywhere will
oppose. So far as it affects politics Mr..
Kahn has voiced my sentiments"
A point of order was raised that the mo-
ton to lie on the table is not debatable,
which was considered "well takenn by
Speaker Gould.
The motion to lie on the table was put
and carried by vote of IS ayes to 81 noes.
The bill sleepeth, only to be resurrected
if motion by Taylor to reconsider is en-
tertained.
TIE pQ0nECnINcc