The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-03
ELECTED ONCE MORE.
Fire Commissioners Repeat
Choice Of Kellogg.
THE WEST STREET HOTEL FIRE.
Action Of Former Meeting Ratified
Charges Of MIsmanagsmcnf of
Fire Not Sustained.

hcAa1kE ca1ef Oh tue department. Ffesef-ss
afternoon. and after a long investigation
OF rumors derogstory TO the ire depart
nent in connection with the West street
hotel ire voted a unanimous eommsnds-
ton OF the work done, not only By tie
IRE department but the police.
After the comm ssion vas called TO order
At o'clock. Massl desired TO have the
meeting adjourned uai.l the corporation
eounss! eouIi determine positlv sly
whether the special meeting ~ which Kel-
iogg sas elected Vas Illegal The other
commissioners seemed t. be satisfied that
the meeting was illegal and on motion of
kshsley proceeded 10 eject chief
kahaley nominated GsrdaeT kellogg
and MaseI nominated Capt Alexander
Allen. remarking that If any young ladies
we're coming around TO use their influence
they might interview the younger mem
bers of the commission. When the vote
vas called kahaley. Meek and Jones
voted for Kellogg. and Masel and the
mayor for Alien. In casting his vote the
mayor took occasion 10 say that he con-
sidered be mad rlght TO vote as a member
of the commission. In the present case
be could not vote for a man other titan
the one he though, best lifted for the po-
sition. On former occasion he had voted
for Allen and seen no reason TO regret his
choice Mr. Allen had been connected
with the department for ten years and
always done his duty like man. II there
was change TO be made the promotion
ought 10 be from the ranks of the fire
departments The mayor then told prac-
ticaliy the same story as related in the
Posr-IsTELLIsEscEg yesterday morning
about the six women taxpayers coming to
him and advocating the election Of Alien.
He believed Allen wss frst-ciass man
and would vote for him. but assured the
commission he would sustain and aid its
choice.
After Kellogg was declared elected
Mayor Phelps remarked that he would
endeayor to prevent general turning over
in the department.
kahaley took upon himself the authority
to say that neither Capt Allen nor AS
sistsnt Chief Sullivan would be disch arged.
For that matter no removals would DO
made without cause. He thought the
boys had talked too much about losing
their jobs If Kellogg was elected.
Masel remarked that the boys had as
much right to talk about being fired as
kahaley had to go around trying to make
capital OF the West Street hotel fire.
Mayor Phelps then called the commits
sion's attention TO his desire to have build
ings investigated. He was satifed with
the work of the fire department at the
West street Ire. Continuing, he said: 81
have full confidence in Chief Hunt and
think IL mistake that the charter Is SO
framed that the mayor can be thwarted in
the choice of q chief when he Is willing to
assume the full responsibility.
Masel said he thought the commission
ought to exonerate the lire department of
charges of neglect at tho West street fire.
to which kahaiey replied that there were
no charges before the commission. He
had simply heard rumors as to neglect.
He proposed 10 investigate the buildings
before taking up the department.
Masel spoke plainly about the advIsa-
bility of having the matter settled before
Kellogg get hold of the department. fit
was not. kellogg would probably make
rumors of neglected duty the ground tor
removing firemen he did not like.
II am satisfied" said the mayor. that
the West street FIRE sands as a monument
TO the efficiency OF the department" If
there vas blame. 1t was due to the con-
struetion of the building. II was proper
that the commission investigate buildings
that might prove death traps and make
recommendations about fire escapes, etc.
Il was at headquarters. said Masel.
when the alarm came in for the fire and
know of my own knowledge that the
response Was prompt and the work Of.
hcient."
We'll. F" said Kehaley, II was not nj the
fire. All know Is that two men told me
there were only two men on the big truck
when II reached the fire. | have no other
complaint 10 make. but | do think that
these rumors should be settled"
Chief Hunt agreed with kaLaley that as
oug Es such charges had been made an in-
fesiigst!on would be proper. In fact he
earnestly desired one He said he wanted
10 deny ever having remarked that George
Boiheli. vino talked abon. the big truck.
was drunk when he sad il vas twenty
minutes from the time of the alarm by the
clock on Font street when line was lad
from Cherry and Front streets What he
did say Vas that Bothell probably took
h4s time from the clock betweea Columbia
ard Marion streets. which was sfopped
and tast lie went from the tire TO a saloon
aud took drink He had found chat the
lie OF hose mentioned was laid after the
second alarm. Although the point sns
not settled then. Fire Commjssioner
Jones said later that he vas responsible
Tor the story about Bo:heii being drunk.
lie SAID that probably Botaea got fuA
after escaping from the Wes; street house.
hahaiey made a long speech 10 show
the commission that he was not pre- adiced.
after which the commission adjourned 10
hunt np the witnesses against the ire de-
paEtment. oas - she men thev found "a.
Peter Rmerson, who drives mail ~Agon.
III Simply said shat ne did not think Their.
we're more than three or four men on the
track when the are VAS reached.
George Bothe.l said ths bag truck ps.sei
Front street. a. Il and had two men on
enc side aud tie driver There might
have been more, 81; he was sure there
we're not eight men. At lis O'Clock a
connection vas made AZ Front and Cherry
streets
man named Duffieid told the commits
sionsrs that be Sas a. the fsr~ aud knew
that the department responded promptly.
Taere we're nos less thAa four men on th.
truck.
At o'clock the commission met again
ahd proceeded sita the investigation IL
was shown ~ TIE testimony Of Cant
Latham. ct the track that seven men
seat on il 10 the tre. ssx regulars and one
substitute. The run vas made in good
tirue sad no accidents occurred II there
had not beea bal ~ he4eguArters oa.v
three nsen Soa4d have been aboard. Ia.
com pAny consisted Of Eve mea ard tao
sere 81, auty. Further inquiry deve!epea
ths positive information that these nea
~crr on The track Capt Joseph Latham.
Dv.xsr Iss~ph Eaesand. william Cahit,