The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-06
THINGS ARE WARN.
The Old Trouble in the Fire
Department Bobs Up.
kELLooG's FRIENDS ARE BUSY
Nobody Has Been Appointed TO Sue
ceed Masei and the Commission
Is split-Hunt's Trial.

This fire commissioners were to have met
last night. but owing 10 the desire or Com
missioners Kahaley and Meek for a con-
tinuance. the meeting was postponed I'M
I'll this evening To certain extent IL is
probiematicai what will come, or what
was on the list for last night. There are
some matters. however. Of special inter-
est, and IL Is likely that they VIII receive
some attention.
So far this year there has been no cleo
ton OF chief OF the fire department. Chief
Cook is merely holding over in the absence
of any one having been chosen TO succeed
him. The charter prescribes that all ap-
pointing offices become vacant on January
81 Of each year unless otherwise provided.
When IL came time 10 elect chief meet
ing was called for that purpose. The mayor
and Commissioner Jones were present.
Commissioners Meek and kahaley did not
show up. At the last meeting a short ex-
ecutive session was held. at which the
mayor and Commissioners Meek and ka-
haley were present. II was well known
from the status of affairs that the session
was about the election OF a chief. Mayor
Phelps was in favor of complying with
the charter, but the commissioners present
thought il as well 10 let the matter rest, in
view OF the coming election and the Iossi-
bility. OF the adoption Of new charter
This action, or. more properly. want of
action. caused considerable talk in fire de-
partment circles, both in and outside OF
the department. Some said IL was pecu-
liar that Meek and Kahaley were willing
to allow the matter TO rest. when the year
previous they were anxious for an election
Chief Cook did not say anything about the
matter, bta In a talk with him the impress
sion was gained tnat he had preferred that
an election be held. so that ne would know
where he was standing. At present the
commission Is composed Of only four MEM
bers. two Of whom are avowedly favorable
to Cook. The mayor sent communica-
ton TO the council long time ago concern
ing the vacancy in the fire commission
through the absence OF Masei from the
city beyond prescribed time. but yet new
commissioner has not been elected
Within a few days matters have arisen
which Indicate that there is friction be-
tween Kahaley and Meek on one side and
Chief Cook on the other.
II was on January - that BILLY" Muir
ray, lieutenant OF chemical engine No. 2.
made application for thirty days leave Of
absence. The application was signed by
Mayor Phelps and Commissioner Jones.
Mock and Kahaley withheld their consent.
Kahaley is reported as having said that
there were to be changes in the department
and on this account Murray ought not to be
away. The leave OF absence was not
granted About this time Chief Cook
learned that ex-Chief Hunts trial was TO
come up az Tacoma February u On the
morning Of January IS Murray went to
Chief Cook and said that he wanted 70 get
off for FIVE DAYS as he had business TO at
tend TO and he wanted TO see his father.
Cook asked him IL he had been suhpoenaed
as a witness In Hunts case and Murray
said that he had not. The five days leave
was granted. January - Cook received a
telegram from Murray At Victoria, II. g,
where his father IS living. asking for an ex-
tension OF FIVE DAYS. The matter was re-
ferred to Mayor Phelps who said to allow
tho request.
After this Cook met Meek on the street
and Meek objected 10 the leave OF absence
granted Murray. and told Cook he had bet
ter send for him. According TO Cooks UNI
aerstandlng. Meek was favorable 20 firing
Murray out OF the department II he did not
get back by Tuesday. The trial Of Hunt
commences Wednesday. Cook said that
he granted him leave OF absence. and was
willing TO stand BY mis- action. Then Meek
is reported as having said that Murray
didn't want 20 be a witness al Hunts trial.
The next time Cook admits that Meek said:
'sYou win get into trouble about this
thing"
III YOU think I have done wrong. why
don't YOU call a meeting retorted Cook
"and have Il settled. ] am not ashamed OF
Anything I have done
Then cook met kahaiey. who wanted 20
know Il Cock bad seen Meek Kahaley told
Cook that II Murray did not get back next
Tuesday n would 90 hard with him. Ka-
haley IS reported as naHing sald THAI Aur-
raw could not ~ kept away from the trial
or the matter would Pc shown M pay
hefarA Yesterday Chief COOK received an
Other dispatch from Mgrr2y. asking for fl
teen DAYS more. The matter WAS referred
~ the mayor. who sad 20 allow Eve DAYS.
ans IL Murray wanted more after that ne
had no objections. What Murray's testirno-
nv AZ Hunts trial would be Is not definitely
tnnwn- When Hunt was chief he suspend
"a Murray for "a Short tinle and caused
!. ne feefirg ] T. Ronald S. Eolng 90 de-
s.sl stunt. and il Is cesaia thai the case
viii - a hot one