The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-16
WANTED: A NEW HEAD.

Public sentiment in reference to the
fire department is quite pronounced
The necessity of order and efficiency
in that department must be perceived
by every sane person and is indeed
indisputable. Something must be done
to establish confidence in the public
mind in reference to that important de-
partment of the public service.
The new disagreement which has
broken out since the close of the in
vestigation of the fire chief has re-
opened the contention which it was
hoped had been brought to an end. It
is believed that radical change is i'm
perative. At any time fire might
break out which would require not
only executive skill and unity of effort
among the officers and members of the
fire department, but sound judgment
and calm and able directing force
to meet the emergency. In such an
event, have the people of Salt Lake
/ City confidence in the chief upon
whom would rest the responsibility?
We must in duty to the public confess
that the answer would be in the neg
alive.
The investigation of the chief may
seem as thorough and impartial as the
circumstances required. The conclu-
sions reached by the board of police
and fire commissioners may have been
fully justified by the evidence which
was permitted to be presented. The
| term "whftewashed,' used by great
many persons, The Herald included, in
reference to the action taken upon the
/ accused, may be considered improper.
Admit all that, and then there is the
fact remaining that the people of this
/ city in large majority feel sensation
/ of uneasiness at the thought that the
chief, who appears not to have suf-
fcient force Of character to gain the
respect of his subordinates, has in his
hands to a great extent the fate of this
city and the lives and property of
many of its inhabitants. They do not
believe that the department under his
management would be equal to meeting
a great public calamity in the shape
of a widespread confagration.
1t is quite likely that some of the
mem in the department ought to be re-
moved. We do not know whether that
is so or not. If there are firemen who
are incompetent, insubordinate or in
imical to the efficiency of the depart
ment, they ought to be removed. But
this must not be accomplished through
any personal spite or for the accom-
plishment of any private end. We have
no object in view in touching on this
matter but the public welfare. 1t
matters not TO US who is the fire
chief or who are his assistants. Eff
cheney and public confidence are what
we desire to see, and we care lot a
rap for any personal effect that may
be produced in establishing them be-
yond question.
There is widespread feeling that
harmony will not prevail and that a
thoroughly competent ire department
will not be had in Salt Lake City,
while the present chief is at its head
1t is clear that he engaged in politics
contrary to law; that he smoked and
drank contrary to rules and yet chas- !
tised others who did the same; that
he neglected to return salutes from his |
men and yet complained becaIse they |
did not salute him; that he has not |
been able to command the esteem and !
obedience which are necessary in order
that he may properly handle his de-
partment.
Contrast all that with the police de- |
partment It is true there may have
been some disagreements there and |
some complaints, but on the whole it
is conducted in a manner which merits /
public confidence. The Chief of Police |
and his immediate associates work to- |
gether in unity and command che re- |
spect and confidence of the men I'M
der their charge. We do not say this |
because we think perfection reigns
there, but as evidence that a depart
ment of that kind can be conducted in
order and with respect to its rules and /
regulations.
A very important question which the
Board of Police and Fire Commission
ers have to face is, which is the most
certain and expeditions method of
placing the fire department on a basis
that will insure the public confidence
and safety. The upsetting and revision
of the whole department, or a change
in its chief officer? The Herald wishes
to say nothing further on that matter
than that there is a growing, vigorous
and popular belief that what the fire
department absolutely needs is new
and efficient head.