The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-02
ALLEN is REMOVED.
Fire Commissioners Remove
the Young Chief.
KELLOGG is THEIR CHOICE.
The Mayor and Jones Enter Strong
Protest Clark Made Assistant
Chfef-Sew Hose Accepted.

The grand finale in the iong-irawn out
fight In the IRE commission was enacted
last evening when the combination OF
Commissioners Meek. Masel and Kahaiey
won the day and chopped of Chief Alien
head. The work I'D not finish here, fer
ex-chief Gardner Kellogg was named As
the choice of the commission and the city
clerk instructed 70 place his name before
the city council tomorrow evening for con-
flrmation az chief. Pending the action OF
the council Capt. ". II. Clark, OF engine
company No. 2 was placed IN charge. The
resolution adopted says Chief Allen was
incompetent. but Mayor Phelps and Com
missioner Jones declared that Allen had
not had a chance to show what ne could
do. and the FIRE commission had not given
him the support that was due. Another
Interesting feature Of the meeting was
motion by Nasel 10 accept the Baker
Fabric hose that Chief Allen said was IN
1T for use not having stood the test In
support Of his motion Masel said that.
when the hose for the hreboat was &C
ccpted IL did not quite come Up TO the de-
rnands.
The ma jorisy OF people interested in the
fire department from personal stand
point were present in the chamber OF the
aldermen when the meeting was called
There was uncertainty as 10 whether
Mayor Phelps was in the city. but his sp-
pearance settled the question. Commits
sioners Kahaley, Meek and Masel were
not much behind in showing NJ ana COM
missioner Jones soon presented himself
At s.35 O'Clock Mayor Phelps called the
meeting to order and said that he had Just
returned 10 the city. tired out and learned
that a meeting OF the commission had
been ordered. He did not feel like attend
ing and unless 1t was imperative
that business should be transacted. did not
feel like proceeding. n was not regular
meeting. and he had no idea of the nature
OF the business 20 be transacted
Meek produced a paper containing the
call and handed II to the mayor. who read
g. As the cali did not enlighten him. the
minutes OF the last meeting were brought
out and read, and the mayor asked II there
was any special business to be transacted.
and the moment he finished Meek offered
the following resolution
To Remove Chief Allen.
Resolved. That Chief Allen be and is
Hereby removed and the Office of chief OF
the Seattle fire department be declared
vacant, for reasons Of general iucompe-
tency. i'm the opinion Of this commission.
to manage the affairs OF the Seattle fire
department. and that pending the appoint
ment by this board and confirmation by
the city council OF a chief OF the depart
ment. and owing TO the doubt I'm the minds
OF the commission as TO whether we have
an assistant chief officially acting, this
board does hereby designate James Wal
lace a member of the department 10 take
charge of the department pending the
nomination and confirmation OF chief of
the department"
Masei moved the adoption OF the resolu-
ton and Kahaley seconded it,
The mayor called for Corporation Coun-
sci Scott. who was In the adjoining room.
and asked him 10 look at II from legal
standpoint. Mr.. Scott said the only way
10 elect a chief was by the vote Of the
commission and confirmation by the coun-
Gil. IL was not In the power Of the com
mission TO put any man In charge of the
department temporarily
kahaley said he had an opinion from
the assistant corporation counsel. and by
his manner indicated that IL differed from
SCOTS. The assistant corporation coun-
sci agrees with me In this matter" said
MFR. Scott "a man cannot take charge OF
the department until he qualities"
kahaley said that there was cause stated
for Aliens removal
Il am not talking about the power of
the commission 10 remove the chief" said
Scott. You can't turn the department
over to Tom, Dick and Harry"
While Mr. Scott was looking over the
charter provisions relative 20 the IRE de
partment Meek, kahaley and Masel held a
consultation.
Mr. Scott finally told the commissioners
they could not appoint man then and
there and have him take charge Of the do
partment. but IL the chief was removed
the ranking captain in the absence of a
regular assistant chief would hold the
rens
Clark Is Assistant Chief.
Knhaicy moved that the resolution he
amended so that Capt. W. H. Clark of
engine company No. .. the ranking cap
tain. take charge
After considerable talk Meek accepted
the amendment and the mayor was about
20 put the question when Capt. Clark
who was IN the audience. arose and asked
the commissioners TO substitute some
other name.
Kahaiey told Clark IL was not an or
tionai matter. He was the ranking captain
and would have TO take the position.
Tho mayor called the question on the
amendment and 70 was carried 10y faint
reclamation. hut when the vote was taken
on the resolution Meek Kahalev and Ma
sci voted for. and Jones and the mayor
against.
Jones explained his vote by saving that
he had nothing against clark. hut believed
the action proposed was il-adyiscd: that
Chief Allen had not had the support OF the
commission: that it WAS not showing re-
spect 70 the council. and that Allen had
not hcen given fair chance.
The Mayors Vigorous Protest.
Mayor Phelps was very emphatic in his
condemnation OF t&e course hetug pur-
sued by kahaley. Meek and NaseL and
openly declared they had not made any
effort - support chief Allen. Instead
they had thrown stumbling blocks iu his
way. and now acre hcnt oE sourse that
would have bad effect on tho depart
uleast. The mayor continued;
1T IS not true THAI this young man IS
fneo!npetcot. he Is a brave. clean. hon
~st straightforward young man and "a
rood fireman. ~ he Is displaced it Is not
my doing. I have given him All tho sid
could ana as for tha, I shall support
ANY one who holds the position 81 chief
80 far Is IN MY power. Will right
the INJURY done here tonight 50 rhis
young man I thilk 81 unfair :llat during
the absence of the mayor ~ the city
such an underh7nd pie-e Of business
sNould have been done 7 vote 40"
ThfuEs We're getttuE pretty warm. Nut
the fireworks were Not hstf over <or
Mas handed another resolution 20 CLERK
ccryeil. which read Is follows.
kellogg l. Appointed.
Resolved TtlAt We believe We voice The
sentiment ~ a large portion ~ tho AK
paVcrS OF this city that The dis-lriinc and
efficiency OF tho fire. department will "a.
materially ecttsre3 hy me aofs-lutuleat
hy this board Of rnan Qua'iaed by aa..
sra experience 80 govern the many re-
spousihiAties.
''That We Aave given nsuch .hou-ht as
a. fhe proper person - HN tass poSist,a.
ans after due consideration haNe selected
So simple, so clean and