The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-29

Captain 2. J. Sullivan for some time
and personally 1 know them to be
most capable and efficient men, as
likewise is the ninion of others who
have cOnversed with me. cannot
understand how Chief Devine can con-
sistentiy bring charges of incOm-
potency against these men. who
were noblY and efficiently lighting
fires ere Devine's appointment was
thought Of
eli l. Price, Main street grocer, is
of the opinion that the old men should
not be let cut to make place for in
experienced men. No department can
be efficient if so manned. 1t is strange
if Assistant Chief Donovan and Cap
tain Sullivan were inefficient why
charges were not preferred against
them before.
L. W. Dittman, Agent Lenp's
Brewing company: I am Of opinion
that the muGdle and rancOr in the
fire department is caused by the bull
headedness of Chief Devine. and
there is no doubt of the efficiency Of
Assistant Chief Donovan and Cap
tain Sullivan. :Devine alone is to
blame in the matter. The depart
ment was respected and capable
when he took it.
J. c. Taylor Pennsylvania mutual
Life: 7 think there must be some
personal animus behind these charges,
2nd suspensions. Am very sorry TINS
trouble has broken out. It IS neces-
sarv for the safety of the lives ana
7ronertv that harmony and et-
ficiency should be preserved at al
hazards. ,.o+.
If what I have read IS coIr .eT,t oa1 !
think that the word of seventeen
firemen should be equal that OF one
FIRE chief. I would support any pan
that would again place the depdtl-
,nent in an efficient state
I w. Robinson. Of the firm OF ho, IN
son &. West, Main street. am OF lIls
or Union that it is wrong TO suspend ana
dismiss men on trivial charges, VIZ
ba1ra always proved themselves Ell
9cient and capable and rendered COCA
1,Norl[ before and since the present
chief had been appointed. Donovan
and Sullivan have always been con-
sidered good men.
n a. Smith, Attorney am OF the
opinion Chief Devine is at the bottom
Of all the trouble Of recent date IN the
fire departlnent 1t appears on the
fsca Of If that he wishes to gather
round him men subservient to his
wishes irrespective of their efficiency.
7 have known Donovan and Sullivan
some time and have seen them in ac-
+ion at fires. and whilst ] have noticed
the evident reluctance of Devine TO
ga near the flames at fire and not
spDear to realize the best way to ex-
tinguish it, on the other hand nave
noticed with satisfaction the moment
Donovan arrived on the scene he ap-
peared to know exactly the best points
Il fight the fires, and without hesita-
ton plunged into the smoke and debris
end soon had the fire located. The
nremen seemed TO look to him for in
structions. In all respects he is far
and away a more competent fireman
than Devine, being strong and able,
and possessing the necessary courag e
for the business. Captain Sullivan is in
my opinion a capable man and should
most certainly be retained in the de-
partment.
Alec Watson, wool buyer, of Camp
hell g. SAUNDERS have personally
Captain Sullivan on duty at fires and
am Of the opinion they are first-class
men; and 20 hear that charges of in
efficiency have been filed against them
IS somewhat of farce. inasmuch as
Trey have been commended for their
ineE1ciency at several fires by the
newspapers and general public. I do
not agree with the idea to sacrifice
these two good men because they hap
pen to have incurred the chiefs per-
sonal enmity. From observation, I
consider either of them better fitted
for the position Of fire chief than De-
Vine.
E. Scrace, Excelsior bakery-I am
in favor OF Assistant Chief Donovan
and Captain J. Sullivan being retained
in the department. as I believe them
10 be capable and practical men.
w. s. Barnes, of Barnes. Hardy &
~o-T most certainly think it neces-
saSy Tor the safety of the city that a
united and efficient fire department
should exist Since the present chief
has been in o-ace trouble has always
existed. l have always heard assist
ant Chief Donovan and Captain. SBai-
ycA spoken Of in high terms as pra I'll