The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-25

chief. AS the law provides that az
least ten days notice must be giver
the accused. he moved that the tria
be set for March 9, and this carried
without any dissenting suggestions
from any of the members.
REDUCING THE FORCE.
The next business to come up was
the matter of reducing the force of the
police department to conform with tins
recent ordinance passed by the city
council, but contrary to general expec-
tattons no heads feN in the basket and
members of the force will have another
week of anxious meditation
Chairman Jennings brought the mat
ter up and suggested that In view oI
the conditions of the city treasury ana
the actions of the council prompt con-
sfderation ought to be given to it by
the board.
VARIAN WANTS TO CONSIDER
Mr. varian saw no particular neces-
sity for such hurry The council
had taken its time and the board
was entitled to consider it, as the mat
ter was of considerable Importance.
and he was not prepared to act. These
expressions also met the appreciation
] of Mr.. Noble.
| CHAIRMAN JENNINGS VIEWS.
Chairman jennings said he had no
desire to rush matters for any other
reasons than that the ordinance re-
ducing the force had been passed and
it was a question, he thought, whether
! the men would receive their pay lie
was willing to meet again tonight or
tomorrow night and take 1T up In spe-
! ciaI session. This also met the views
] Of L -l1n foH
action.
In response to a request for infor-
nation Chairman Jennings explained
] that it was customary to consult Chief
Pratt on such matters, and that the
/ latter usually appeared in person be-
! fore the board when requested.
WANT CHIEF PRATT'S VIEWS.
Varian thought such a matter should
come in writing. and thereupon made
a motion that the chief Of police be
instructed by the clerk to commun1-
cate with the board at it's next meet
| ing as to which members, in his opin-
ion, should he dropped from the force.
This was seconded by Noble, and car
ried unanimously.
WHO WILL BE DROPPED?
This was an that was done in the
matter Chief Pratt will now accord
ingly have an opportunity to recon-
mend the men to be dropped and II
remains to be seen whether the COM
mission will follow the chiefs sugges-
lions.
CITY Attorney Mckay, to whom a re-
quest had been directed for an opiT-
ion regarding the method to pursue in
the matter of dropping men from the
force submitted an opinion to the ef-
feet that all that seems necessa-
ry to be done is that the board in its
discretion shall select the officers and
men TO be dropped from the rolls and
order their discharge accordingly
KRAUT'S PLANT.
William Kraut. who some time ago
was vested with special police power
on recommendation of Chief Pratt, but
after a two weeks trial was shorn Of
his authority to make arrests, also on
Recommendation of the chief. sent in
the following letter:
SALT LAKE CITY. Feb. II. 1896.
To the Board Cf Police and Fire Com
missioners:
Gentlemen-N week ago today 1 was
relieved from duty as special officer as
merchant night Waterman, by request
of Chief Pratt. but not with the wish
of the people who pay me on the block
to which I was appointed.
Late this afternoon 1 was informed
that a man had been going around on
my beat with a petition for his ap-
pointment as special officer, stating that
there was no night Waterman on the
block. This was a misrepresentation to
the people, as I am still night watch
man; 1 am still retained by the people
and they have not lost confidence in me
as yet.
would request the commissioners be-
fore giving the appointment to anoth-
er, to inquire into the cause why I was
relieved. As [ would like the mer-
chants and others on the block to know
the reason why; and as there is no just
cause why should have been relieved,
respectfully request that Z may be re-
instated. Very respectfully,
WILLIAM KRAUT,
Night Waterman.
No action was taken in the premises
except to order the clerk to instruct
Mr.. Kraut that his appointment had
been revoked.
Mr.. Kraut is the night Waterman on
the block bounded by Second and Third
South and Main and West Temple
streets. 1t is said he has something
unlocked for in store. Mr.. Kraut viii
PA~SOAAO MS Sl0S VI -InS SlOT-y CURING the
week
On recommendation of Acting Chief
Donovan, the bay horse now used on
the steamer was ordered sold to a. Mr.
Arnold for s125, the steed not being
particularly well adapted FOR depart
ment service.
In compliance with request from
the FIRE and police board of Grand Rap
ids, Mich, the secretary was instructed
to furnish data regarding the increase
or decrease Of crime in this city dur
ing the year 1895
Bills were allowed amounting to
s1SO.54. after which the board ad-
Journed.
DEvINE APPEARS.
Chief Devine sauntered into the
commissioners room after the meeting
was over and was served with a COPY
of the charges against him as soon as
Clerk Felt could run off COPY on the
typewriter
Chief Devine had nothing to saw in
resnonse to queries from The Herald
reporter. He simply read the charges
over and smiled.
And did they order a trial on this ?"
he inquired.
On being informed in the affirmative