The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-25
ALIENS HEAD SAVED
Miller's Interposition Prevents
His Removal.
BUT THE MAJORITY is OPPOSED.
The Three Directors Had the Axe
Ready but Miller stayed It->ul-
Ivan in Office Again.

Acting Mayor Miller jumped into the
breach last night and by one strong. de-
cisive and unequivccal speech fe-nPorsr-
ily saved the official neck Of Alexander
Allen, chief Of the IRE department. The
temperature during the meeting of the
FIRE commission was quite toTrid, although
the diplomacy exhibited by Com mission
eTs kahaley and Meek was quite clever.
The three commissioners Nasel. Meek
and kahaley we're ready 10 Gust Allen, but
when Chairman Miller told them how
strongly he objected TO such an action
when he was simply in the mayors place
and would thereby he debarrei from TAX
Ing part in the confirmation proceedings.
the two last mentioned said they would
not force the issue. and the meeting vas
adjourned until next Friday night. The
commissioners. however. did one thing Of
considerable Importance. ard that was the
acceptance % the withdrawal or Assist
ant Chief Snllivan's resignation.
The recent trouble in the fire commits
sion has produced a state of uneasiness
in the department and the call for a
meeting OF the commissioners last night
was considered a sure sign that some
thing vas going to happen. Two pro-
gf'ammes were. spoken of. the first that
Chief Allen would be dropped and ex-
Chief Gardner Kellogg elected. the other
that ex-Assistant Chief Sullivan would
succeed Allen. and that eventually ex-As-
sistant chief George NARROW would be
made assistant chief. In case Kellogg
vas elected. it was said. sullivan would
probably . 74de assistant chief for the
time being. TO be succeeded by NARROW.
When the meeting was called TO order
IN the chamber Of the aldermen there was
large audience present. The minutes OF
the last meeting were approved, after
which Meek handed the clerk a written
..1rs
dated May "A. withdra wing his resigna-
ton rendered to Chief Allen on May g.
Meek Immediately moved 10 accept the
withdrawal and hahaley gave the second
chairman Miller put the motion and de-
clared II carried by acclamtion So far as
could be judged. Jones did not vote Two
applications for positions in the DEPART
ment were filed and then the commission
eFs decided 10 hold a star chamber ses-
sion. When they returned TO the room
Meek Immediately arose and moved that
the office of chief Of the fire department
be declared vacant
Then Chairman Miller said: Gentlemen
am opposed 10 this action. If ma or-
ity of the commission desire such an ac-
ton, II can re done as well when the
mayor is here as now This proposed ac-
ton VIII debar me from taking part as pre-
siding officer OF the board of aldermen in
the confirmation. / object strongly and
don't want to see the matter gone through
with"
II am very sorry" said Jones. that this
matter has come up, both on account of
Mr.. Miller and the present chief of the de
partment. / understand the mayor will
be hack in few days and the affair can
be settled then as well as now"
kahaley proposed 10 obviate the trouble
by appointing an acting chief until the
next meeting. This caused Chief Allen to
object strongly. on the ground that he
was the qualified chief and would be held
responsible.
Mr. Allen is correct" said the chair.
Jones again spoke in favor of allowing
the question to go over and Mase1. who
still remembers the mayor remarked that
he did not sec why the commission ought
TO wait for him. The mayor did not cut
any more figure with the commission than
other members. So far as he could see,
the mayor had not shown the commission
any favors and he demanded hiatt the
question he put.
Kahaley said that. If the action was go
ing 10 disoualify Miller from voting he
did not object 10 the delay. Meek said he
was of the opinion that 1t was not hest to
20 on with the question under the circum-
stances.
KahaIey then moved TO leave the matter
over until next Friday night. Jones second
f'fl. ana the ulpLDn WAS tdTIicu.
can | go 10 work at any time?' said
Sullivan after having obtained permission
10 speak. Kahaley and Jones said that he
certainly could. Allen thought that. as
the resignation was made to him and ac-
cepted Sullivan was out. Miller. how
ever decided that Jones and Kahaley were
correct He said that. while the chief had
accepted the resignation, the board had
not. and again. it had never been filed
with the city clerk. fatal flaw.
sullivan viii report for duty this morn
ing. Chief Allen may refuse to recognize
that h" was legally rcinstated The rules
say that when any member OF the depart
ment shall wish 70 resign he shall in writ
ing give the chief five days notice there
or stating the time when he wishes the
resignation TO take effect. In case OF
emergency the resignation may be accept
Cd by the chief without the required no.
ticc.
North and South unite IN approving thu