The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-22
THE FIRE CHIEF ACTS.
Makes a Number of Transfers,
to Take Effect Today.
REORGANIZiNG THE FORCES.
Cook Loses No Time in STRENGTHENING
Out the Department-Already
Putting Ideas Into Effect.

Ralph Cook. the new fire chief. was Up
early yesterday morning and irnTnedla ,eis
cor menced running his eye over the ros-
ter OF the department with a view o. COM
mencfng reorganization. As matter OF
fact, he does not need a list of the ofn-
GERS and men before him excspT Tor rS.eF-
ence in case of figuring out a transfer mat
involves one OF more changes IN the de-
partment. He can name al a moment
notice any man and his position In the de-
partment. and come pretty near tellaS
whether he can stand smoke
The first transfer the chief noted on his
book was that of Capt. Allen Miller from
er CINE company No. 10 engine company
No / at headquarters.
Acting Capt. William Cautrell was
taken from engine company No. 10 en-
CINE company No. 6. made vacant by the
transfer Of Miller. Capt. Ed Corfee. OF
engine company No. 1 was named for
the same position with engine company
No g.
Lieut. Harry johnson. who has been
acting as assistant chief previous to the
appointment OF Alexander j. Allen, Jr-,
was chosen 10 take the captaincy of en-
CINE company No. 4, with headquarters
in North Seattle.
Henry Ross. pipenan Of engine No. 2
was transferred to engine No. 8. his posi-
ton being unchanged.
L. Stevens of engine No. s. was trans
ferred to engine company No. 2 OF which
Capt. Clark, ex-acting chief, IS in COM
mand.
Notice OF the transfers were sent out
by Chief Cook last evening with instruc-
tons that they take effect at noon today.
The appoint ments that VIII be made
necessary by the condition of the depart
ment as TO acting officers will not be made
until tonight, or possibly tomorrow.
From present indications. however, there
will be no changes among the captains
and IL is safe to say that Weston Nc
Al.ep,- acting lieutenant of engine COM
pSany No. !, who has been in the depart
ment for several years. and who has
a gccd record. will be recommended as
the regular lieutenant.
Capt. Miller. who has been brought to
headquarters from engine company No. 6,
has been In the department about four
years and is a capable young man: in
fact one Of the most intelligent and re-
liable in the department.
In talking of the department last even
ing Chief Cook said that he thought he
would have matters Strengthened out in
a few days so that the companies would
be in good working order
II shall make my headquarters here at
Columbia and Seventh streets" continued
the chief. and Assistant Chief Allen will
be located at engine house No. .. corner
or Pine and Third streets. When I am
away Allen will be at my place. In max
ing the transfers from one company TO
another | have aimed at filing the bust
ness district companies with men on whom
| know | can depend 10 fight fire for all
they are worth. | have also done away
with the system by which Capt. Clark
was compelled to drive every now and
then in going to fires. / want the cap
tains OF the inside companies to be in first
class condition when they reach fire so
that no time will be lost in getting TO
work Now. when Clark drives to a fire
he is not in the condition at time of ar
irving on the scene that / want him. 1t
is one thing to drive a pair of spirited
horses 10 a fire in a city like this and
another thing to be in readiness to COM
nland a company"