The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-07
THE CHIEFS POWERS
A Warm Discussion by the Fire
Commissioners
SOME PLAIN LANGUAGE USED.
Ex-Chief Hunts Coming Trial at Ia
coma seems TO Be the storm
Center.

the TIRE commissioners late yesterday air
ernoon In Mayor Phelps Office was quite
warm. 1t seemed as il every one there
had something to say concerning the pres
ent or past, and they said ii IN very plain
language. At no time, however, did the
discussions cause personal reioinder of a
serious nature. although the disagree
ments were apparent on many occasions
The upshot OF the meeting is that Billy
Murray. lieutenant of chemical engine No.
>. was ordered recalled from Victoria, the
time being such that he may be sub
poenaed for the Hunt trial at Tacoma
Mayor Phelps brought up the matter OF
the election of a chief. but kahaley and
Meek took the same stand that they did at
the last meeting, SO the matter was not
advanced.
Many matters OF Importance had been
disposed OF when Kahaley remarked that
he did not see anything in Chief Cooks
monthly report about Murray having been
given permission 10 absent himself from
the city. Mr.. kahaiey then referred to the
article that appeared in the Post-intelii-
gencer yesterday morning. Meek re-
marked that it got down very close TO
facts and that he had been quoted correct
~ and could tell more If he cared to.
Now, I object" said Kahaley, ito the
chief allowing men TO go out of the city.
/ do not think that custom or the rules
sanction such a thing"
IF you say that" said Chief Cook, you
say something about which you do not
know anything
We'll, / don't know" commenced Ka-
haley. when Mayor Phelps held up his
hand and remarked: Gentlemen, allow
me TO say word. Murray hunted me up
with his application for leave Of alb
senee. 1t was Endorsed by the chief and |
signed II. There are plenty of good sub
stitutes in the department and | do not
think the efficiency of the department has
been effected
Did you have any idea" asked Meek of
the mayor, why Murray wanted TO go
away"
No sir. l did not" replied Mayor
Phelps. with emphasis. After he was
gone ] heard il said that he was wanted
az witness at Hunts trial"
III you had known why he wanted to
GO. continued Meek, interrogatively.
would you have given him permission?''
His being wanted at the trial is a thing
this IRE commission has nothing to do
with, answered the mayor II asked
the chief III there were any reasons why
Murray should not be allowed TO go and he
said that he knew of none. If had known
that his sole object was 10 get rid of at
tending trial / might have objected I
40 not know, however. a. a man should ba
Kept In certain place on the mere sun
position that he may be wanted at a trial
as 1 understand II, Murray has never been
subpoenaed"
No" said Kahaley. but there is a suh-
poena out for him now"
NOW right here sad Commissioner
Jones, want TO say a word The reuort
mas been made that and the mayor are To-
gether on an indemnity bond 10 secure es-
enst hunts appearance at the coming
ulai. know nothing about this bond and
never mad anything 10 do with IT. want
to brand the statement, so far as am CON
cerned. as a falsehood"
understand" said Chief Cook, that
have been accused of getting Murray
out of the city, but t IS a lie
This is the first man l ever refused
sad kahaley. referring to Murray's APP
pi'catlon for a leave of absence. ''TIe told
me that they wanted to get him out of
me way. ! know that his salary was paid
and that $50 was borrowed from a fire.
man.
IF had known all this" said Jones. 81
would not have signed Murrays appllca-
ton for a leave of absence"
IAN | question - the right of the chief
TO let him GO said Kahaley
"A fireman Is not a slave replied Cook
You can't find any authority for any one
else out the chief TO allow a man ont OF
the hearing Of the bell. Murray told me
that he was not. suhpenaed for Hunts
trial. However, il there is any blame to
be attached L am perfectly willing 10
shoulder IT."
the blame. l understood there was a good
man in Murray's place. and believe that
the chief is IN position TO know whether
he can spare man or not"
The efficiency OF the department has not
been crippled" replied KahaIey. "and I
don't know but Il = stronger"
II am sure" sad Meek. that Murray
went out OF the city 10 get rid of appear
ing a. the trial He would not go until
he got his money and he got it, Will make
n motion that the chief be instructed 10
notify Murray to report here next Monday
or he VIII be dropped from the DEPART
meut." Kahaley seconded the motion and
all voted for Il except the mayor
4 motion to adjourn was made but the
mayor spoke OF the matter OF elect.ng a
chief. and the motion was withdrawn He
said that he did not desire to press the
matter. but the duty Of the commission
was plain Kahaley said he ala not care
20 take any action that might hamper the
Incoming administration.
The incoming administration has moth
Ing to do with our duty" said the mayor.
After further talk the matter was left
Just where K was In the beginning.
The committee that had IN charge the
equipment of the new house on Reuton hill
recommended that company be pIacsa
there. consisting OF one engine one hose
wagon. 1.eao feet OF hose two teams Of
horses aud SIX men. "a follows: Captain.
lieutenant. engineer. two drivers one Dipe-
man. The report was adopted and re-
quest sent 70 the council 70 pass such an
ordinance and appropriate ss1o 10 carry ont
thu plan. In conjunction with this came
the report as 70 the 8dVlsahilitv Of chang
ing No Z cnrrersaYrV from ,,-asaDs -.
tion 20 No. , chamicsf c0Tnaauy's house
on Broadway ana Terrace street. The com
mittee advised the change ard also that
No. . chemical be stationed at FrcmoYf
The report was ad1pted. and a request sent
20 the council for permission TO make
changes In chemical house No. . and ap-
VropriBte So - carry on the work.
Am1ng the bills was one for teIanhone
i1 Chief Allen's house Tor a month or mora
while hs wsS chief K8halev warta-f >
committee appointed u look up the ,lstor,
~ tbe city paving for the telephones In the
houses Of the chief and assistant chief
Kahs3sy characterized the~a telephones as
private telephones. and sst3 ~ ava rot
know that soch system bad ever been In
vogue
Cock said that The ex-chlefs and ,rst~
assistants had telephones at their houses
Mavor Phelps said that n the custom had
not been authorized ft ought 90 be Ka
haley was appointed a committee 10 io7t,
uQ IRE custom IN the matter
q cast from Heor FOR the boiler rom 81 ~.
hrehoat is necessary, 50 that -he boiler 49,,
- prog eriy taken care Of ON rnari-- -
kahaley the chief Vas Instructed % 80
Ger with the board of public usorl,s -
/ The w plShaoh