The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-21
HE TAKES THE REINS.
New Fire Chief Files Bonds
and Names Assistant.
ALLEN is THE MAN FOR HIM.
His Bond Is Quickly Secured and He
Sets to Work 10 Reorganize
the Department.

Ralph Cook, the new fire chief. accom-
plished in ten hours yesterday what Il was
supposed would take him two or three
days al least 10 do. He secured his bonds
men, filed his oath OF Office. and just be-
fore O'Clock walked into the city clerk 5
Office and filed the appointment Of Alex
ander Allen. jr., as assistant chief.
At o'clock last evening Acting Chief
Clark handed over the reins OF government
to Chief Cook, and according TO orders
Assistant Chief Allen took up the duties
OF his office at Il O'Clock midnight. Harry
Johnson, who has been acting as assistant
chief, was placed temporarily in charge
OF engine company No. /. the position left
vacant by the promotion OF Mr.. Cook, and
Mr.. Clark returned to MS old love as cap
tain of engine company No. 1.
There is hardly doubt but that. II Mr..
Clark would have accepted the position.
he could have been assistant chief. He
stands high in Mr.. Cook IS estimation, and
the feeling between the TWO IS OF the most
friendly nature. He however. still persist
ed in his determination TO return to his
old position at hose house No. 2, where he
has been al home for several years.
Chief Cook did not experience the trou-
bic he expected in securing bondsmen. In
fact. he had very easy time OF Il, and
before O'Clock in the afternoon Justice
of the Peace w p. McElwain, G. o. Guy.
ex-Sherlff j. II. Woolery and A. H. Han
kerson had affixed their signatures to the
bonds for $500 each, making a total of
so 600. This bond was Immediately filed
with City Comptroller Parry, and is as
good as accepted by the comptroller and
Mayor Phelps. Mr.. Hankerson is the only
man on the bonds not well known 10 the
public as heavy taxpayer. However. he
is a man of considerable means. in fact
much more than the entire bond itself
Chief Cook said last evening TO Post
Intellgencer reporter that he had ap-
pointed Mr.. Allen at once because he
wanted to get matters Strengthened out as
soon as possible and get all the companies
into proper working order.
1T is my intention" he said. ito place
all my nominations for the various post
lions held by acting officers and substi-
tutes before the commissioners either next
Monday or Tuesday evening. / want the
companies Strengthened out and gotten
into working order as soon as possible.
had consultation with Corporation Coun-
sci Scott this afternoon about making ap-
pointments. and he informed me that |
could proceed at once to fill the positions.
subject TO the action of the council"
Chief Cook on looking over the roster of
the department, found that he would have
TO make the following appointments: En-
CINE company No. /, captain, lieutenant
and pipeman; engine company No. 8, cap
tain: engine company No. 4. lieutenant
and pipeman; truck No. /, truckman.
At present Harry Johnson is acting cap
tain of engine company No. l. Weston
McAllep acting lieutenant and Ben Barnes
acting pipeman. In engine company No. 8
William Cantrell Is acting captain. In en-
CINE company No. Jacob Longfeilow Is
acting lieutenant and Charles Tracy act
ing pipeman. In truck company No. l
William Kenney is acting truckman.