New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-08

GENERAL o. H: LA GRANGE
and some got deeply in debt that they have not
been able to meet the judgments against them.
Fighting and INSTRUMENTATION In the engine
houses became so common as to cause remark.
The Commissioners have not attempted TO
degrade to drive from the Department any OF
the men who were promoted for political reasons.
but they have declared that every officer of the
6 Department must show himself worthy of his
place. and they have made the firemen understand
that hereafter political influence will count for
nothing and tina, all promotions will be made
solely on account of merit and long and faithful
service. A reporter of The Tribune who went to
Fire Headquarters yesterday found President La
Grange hard al work in his office, and heard him
deliver a singing lecture to a fireman who had
been summoned' to explain why he had failed to
pay just debt. The fireman hung his head and
acknowledged that he had done wrong. He prom
ised to pay the debt. Then General La Grange
spoke encouragingly to the man.
KINDLY ADVICE TO FIREMAN.
You ought to be a good fireman." he said. kind
ly You young. and you look like an athlete.
believe that you would show yourself to be
brave man in place of danger. You get good
salary and you unmarried. There is no rea-
son why you should Disgrace your uniform by
running into debt Get out Of debt you
can. Get into a position where you can hold up
your head and be a good fireman
There were tears in the eyes OF the fireman
he thanked the president and withdrew. Taking
advantage OF a pause in General La Oranges
work, the reporter asked him II such scenes were
common. and he replied:
THE Commissioners have been greatly mar
assed by claims for small bills against small
number Of firemen. who appear to have taken ad-
vantage OF their uniform TO obtain credit and
then refuse payment for necessaries to citizens
who have trusted them and who pay taxes out OF
which the fremen's compensation Is received
II is believed by the Commissioners that with
proper effort such spirit can be infused into
the corps that no claim against any fireman will
be presented 10 the Board because OF non-payment
OF such claims, and that the few men in the force
who show an inclination to dishonesty will be
prevented from rejecting upon the character of
the entire force. the members of which are prob
ably more scrupulous in the payment of their
debts than any other similar number of good citi-
zens'
What was the first reform work of the present
Fire Board?" the reporter asked
REMOVALS OF INCOMPETENT MEN.
THE first work" General La Grange replied
was TO discharge about twenty-five men from
the repair shops who carried as skilled
laborers of various trades. but who had never
learned any trade. and were a hindrance rather
than help to the work OF the shops THESE
men were replaced by skilled mechanics, care
fully examined by the Commissioners as 10 tnelr
qualifications and selected from 300 applicants
The result has been to nearly double the amount
Of work done in the repair shops over that done
previous TO the change
We're NOT the next changes made in the Blu
reau Of Combustibles?'
wee The Commissioners removed the in
spector Of combustibles and a number or sur
veyors who worked under him upon evidence
tina; some OF those surveyors. for a number OF
wears had been in the habit Of collecting, in ad-
dion 10 the fee paid to the city for the privilege
Of selling fireworks and for blasting PERMITS
sums varying from s. to $40 from each veneer OF
man holding permit to blast 1t was DeheVeu
thai this blackmailing. which had oeen caiiieu
on so long and had become system couid o.'''
be broken up by dismissing he force IN the ou
reau with one or two EXCEPTIONS a'ho"s" "o
charge Of Matchmaking was brought against sew
eral of the men who were relieved. ohe % ''ese
surveyors is now under bail. and warrant Is
out for the arrest Of a second, ana inc pio'aD',
Is tina. other arrests will be made. 1t Is pehe'eu
tina, ~. pursau of Combustibles IS now con-
duc,.d NTH absolute honesty and the Increased
income gives evidence that 1t is efhcienuy ao-
ministered 49,.
What was the next matter OF importance ~ s"N
claimed the attention OF the Commissioners
THE LEGISLATIVE SCANDAL
1T was the fact that officers OF the f're De
partment had been In the habit or goins ~
legislature 10 make representations inteh'eU ~
prevent the passage Of a law continuing the pay
ment Of the 2 per cent tax upon io'e's" vi,
ance corporations doing business ID ne" s.a~
TO the Exempt Firemens Benevolent funa ar.
January II. 1897 This fund. amounting ~"
about $4,000 a year. is claimed by the res luna
nremen 10 belong properly TO their pe"s .,,no q
upon the expiration of the statute sr""'.n arnnt
Until the period named to the fund OF the en. ,ars
hremen The neglect of the Commissioners 10 aa Sc
charge Of this matter before the Lesis'A'u soma
The formation OF an officers association VIZ ,,r-
Benevolent features, but with the ostens'' ar,od
pose OF preventing an extension OF lns =, the
During which this fund should be /paia :. ,ors
s.empts. Complaints were MADE py .no,r in
these fre-house lawyers soliciting '"''