The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-29
.DAN. ALLEN is CHIEF.
New Head for the Fire Depart
ment Is Chosen.
HUNT DECLINES REELECTION
The Hayor's Casting Vote Decides Ne
tueea Allen snd hsfi"gg-A nh1
Passage of Arms

eneeuisssons a. 20 the outcome OF tie
800. u,eeting Of the FIRE department last
evening xere scattered 20 the winds by
,be ref,.al OF Chief HEnt 70 be csndi-
da1. for reelection. ard tbs selection o.
o.. Alexander ]. Allen. one Of the old
es. men fn the service, 20 I'll the position.
Th. xosa xas s tie between ex-Cbief
EeiIogx aad Allen, and the latter was
chosen through The deciding vote Of
Mayor Phelps.
Ths~e was no secret about the intention
Of the messing. as Commissioners Meek
and Kahaley bad requested the appoint
rnent OF fire chief, bss;ng their request
on an opinion from Corporation Counsel
scott. IN which he held that the term Of
Office of the chfsf expired December 81 OF
each wear. Commissioner Aasel, vho vas
appointed with Meek as . committee 20
investigate the matter. reported that he
had legal advice to the effect that the
ehIe.. once having been appointed, held
Office until removed Meek said he did
not concur in the report, and handed in q
report of his OWL Il Vas copy OF the
corporation eounsei's opinion. Commits
sioner Jones said he was satisfied that
Mssel had expressed the intent OF the
charter. bat according 70 technical con-
ssrnction be was willing 10 admit the cleo
ton Of chief was in order.
There was a large crowd present and
expectation could be seen on every face.
Finally Commissioner kshaley arose and
nominated Gardner kellogg. ex-chief, and,
- be termed him, the best fireman in Sc
attic or that the department. had had ut
its head. lie said that Kellogg had been
thrown out for no cause, and that IL was
be who built up the department. raised
pennies men 10 positions. who turned
upon him.
The moment kahaiey sat down Mssei
nominated Chief Hunt 10 succeed himself.
but TO the surprise of everyone Hunt abso-
iuissy refused 10 have bis name consid-
cred. lie took exeepiioa to kabaley's in
situations and said he left good position
10 enter the fire department because he
liked the work. I'm withdras wing" he
said, ~ want to thank Commissioners
Jones and Masel and the mayor for the
considerate treatment | have received at
their hands.
This speech brought kind words from
Mr.. Jones, who spoke OF Hunts efficiency
M firfnan and Of his gentlemaniy con-
duct under ali circumstan ces. Then, TO
the surprise of those in attendance. he
nominated Alexander J. Allen. jr.. COM
monty called "Dan," captain OF engine
company No. 1. tor chief of the depart
ment. Masel seconded the nomination.
Before putting the question Mayor
Phelps spoke of the retiring chiefs good
qualities and said he recognized him as a
most efficient officer. lie was sorry TO
have him retire. The vote was then taken,
resulting as follows: kahaley and Meek
for kellogg; Masei and Jones for Allen.
The mayor said he bad hoped the matter
would be settled without his vote, but as
matters were otherwise he would have TO
act rs he thought WAS best for the city
Mr.. Meek then mentioned the petition In
Keliogg's favor, signed by host of bust
ness men, which WIS tabled at previous
meeting.
Silence reigned for five seconds, IL seemed
On hour, when the mayor said: II vote
for Allen" Then the meeting adjourned
kahaley and Meek were surprised ut the
turn In affairs and the former did not
hesitate 20 say that the mayor had not
done by Kellogg rs he had agreed
Chief Hunt said he had nothing to say
about tho results. as he made his position
known before the commission.
Capt. Alexander Allen Was pulled out of
bed at headquarters as soon as the meeting
was over and informed of his promotion
lie was evidently pleased with the honor
thrown so unexpectedly on his shoulders.
but Was modest amidst congratulations
from all sides. Every one in North Seat
sle knows Alexander Allen. His family
has lived there seventeen years, com
ing originally from Milwaukee, Wis,
where the captain was born. AlexAn-
der Allen. ir.. worked in the old barrel
factory at North Seattle and also learned
ship building under the direction OF his
father. As early as 1854 he became con-
nected with the volunteer FIRE department,
OF which Gardner kellogg was then chief
He vas soon made assistant foreman,
which position he held under Kellogg.
Josiah Collins. jr., and Jack Mcdonald.
When the paid department. sss organized
IN lss9, with Gardner Kellogg a. chief.
Allen WAS made captain, IN charge OF
house No. 4. North Seattle. lie remained
there until April ID Of the present year,
when Chief Hant transferred him TO head
quarters. Allen is . trst-class fireman.
Trustworthy and well liked.
The election By the tire commissioners,
however. does not insure Allen the posi-
ton. as the council has TO confirm him.
The matter will probably come ap next
Monday night at the regular meeting.