The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-29
WAETSAN INVESTIGATION.
Alderman Dixon and the Fire Depart
ment Appointments.

pointments are Made-Ihe men Ors
Runner Observation-Disclosures Dix
on Wants the Conduct of the Depart
ment Looked Into by Council.
A lively sensation is in prospect in the
fire department. Alderman Dixon is in
dirnant at the charge that unfit men are
being appointed to positions, and that the
department is being made the refuge for
political hacks. He says they are IN
qualihedly Jalse, and wants an investiga-
ton
Alderman Dixon is chairman Of the fire
committee of council and. of course, any
thing affecting the conduct of the depart
ment directly Affects him.
"The statements are maliciously I'M
true, y said the aldermen. IF can ind
out the man who made them 1 will make
him either prove his charges or have him
discharged from the department fhe can
show any foundation for his statement |
will see to it that he is publicly approved
for calling attention TO the matter. So
far as such charges affect me, care very
little, but il is liable TO result in serious
injury to the city by leading the people to
believe that the fire department is not
being properly conducted, and by giving
an excuse to the insurance companies to
raise the rates on the ground Of INSULT
eient fire service.
THE WAY APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE.
'"The charge was made, continued
Alderman Dixon, ''that incapable men are
being appointed by the members OF the
committee for political reasons, and that
Chief Puder is powerlesS TO remedy the
abuse because he does not have the ap-
pointing power in his own hands. This is
not true as ! can readily show you.
Appointments to the fire department
are made by the mayor on the recon-
mendation of the chairman of the commit
tee and the chief fireman, and no man is
appointed until he has served a time on
probation, sometimes as much as
six months. He must then have
the Endorsement of the foreman of his
company, as well as that Of the chief and
the chairman, stating that he is capa-
Bile man, and has reformed his duties in
satisfactory ma nner.
Il have now over 100 applications for
positions in the department. When a
vacancy occurs / select list Of dozen
names or more from those applications
and submit them to the chief TO make his
selection. He is az liberty to object to
any and every man on the list on moral,
physical, or personal grounds,
A PRoBATIoNER's LINE OF DUTY.
AFTER selecting a man, Chief Puder
sends him to me and l give him letter
directing his appointment on probation,
and which states that the man has obli-
gated himself to perform diligently the
duties assigned him, to conduct him
self respectfully at all times to
his superiors, and to maintain a
neat and clearly appearance after
10 O'Clock in the day when the work Of
cleaning up around the engine house has
been finished. The letter further states
that the man understands that he has not
been appointed for any political service,
and that he is not on any condition to
FrsN~ e .
any political discussion. He is also OBJ
lgated to remain sober at all times,
whether on duty or Off"
CATER receiving this letter the chief
makes the appointment on probation. IF
after sufficient length of time the APP
pointee shows himself to be capable,
energetic and ambitious, has conducted
himself respectfully, and has shown
proper interest in his work, in other
words has proved TO be good man, he re-
ceives Reimbursement of his foreman to
this effect, which with the endorsement of
the chief and the chairman Of the
committee, is submitted to the mayor,
who then swears him in as a member OF
the department. Men have been kept on
as long as six months probation
before being sworn in. If they do not give
satisfaction on probation they are dis
missed, and the same process is
gone through with another applicant
The chief has authority at any time to
dismiss any man on probation without
consulting anyone.
POLITICS BARRED OUT.
II have taken particular care since
have been at the head of the committee, ;"
said Alderman Dixon, mot to
let politics enter into the
conduct of the department
In any way. In more than one instance
political pressure has been brought to
hear in faNOr of m who had haan found
to be disqualified for the service, but with.
out avail
1t will be remembered that DR. Rrannel
took issue with Chief Puder in his annual
report that the appointees to positions in
the FIRE department were required
to be examined by the health
officer. DIR. Drummer said he had never
examined but Ave men for the depart
ment, and that as his recommendation
were disregarded he had never examined
any more.
81 investigated DR.. Brunner's state
ment said Alderman Dixon, land found
that the examinations referred to by him
were made about four years ago. or tn
three men who were reported favorably
by him all have been discharged for good
reasons. The two men unfavorably re
ported by him are still on the force, and
are two of the best men we have. One in
particular has made record for himself
as one Of the best men ever connected
with the department"
IN FAVOR OF EXAMINATIONS
Il fully agree with Chief Puder that
appoinJees to the fire department should
be required to undergo a thorough
physical examination, and that a stand
ard as to age, hight, weight, etc
should be fixed. have made il a rule
not to recommend men under 81 nor owe,
40 years Of age. have broken this rule
in only one instance; in the case of Chas
White, who was recently appointed or
probation to Engine Company No. l. A
man was wanted to perform the duties o.
assistant electrician, but no such Office
being provided for, he could only ranl
as fireman. OF the severa
names submitted, objections were made
TO all except Mr.. White, and consequently
he was given the place, but only on proba
ton, however. During the recent lines.
OF Electrician Cleburne the city was put
to the expense of hiring a man 10 do his
work, and it was decided for this
reason to have man in the department
who could take the place Of the eleetri
clan when necessary
Alderman Dixon had resolution draw WI
up requesting the appointment of a
special committee to investigate the
charges made against the FIRE
department, which he intended tc