The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-01
BINPORD'S CASE.
EXAMINED BY THE OGDEN CoMMIS-
SION LAST NIGHT.
A Decision viii Be Rendered Early
This Morning, it is Thought.
Especial to The Herald.

OGDEN, Utah. April 3O.-The fire
and police board met tonight and sat
for four hours hearing the charges
against Fire Chief Binford.
Some delay was caused at first by
Commissioners Whalen and Stevens re-
fusing to sit because Graves had OBJ
jected to them.
After considerable discussion, and at
the request of Peery and Abbott, they
decided to withdraw their objections.
David Evans had charge of Graves
case.
Mr.. Graves was the first witness
He went over the charges as previous
ly published, and gave incidents to
prove them. Binford had ordered Lee
not to tell Willemmett where fire
was He said the chief was drunk on
several occasions, and especially one
night in August. 1895, when Shilling S
Ministries were here. Binford had once
ordered the witness into a house alone,
although it was dangerous. Other
firemen wished to go with him, but
the chief forbade them. Graves be-
came overpowered and was nearly suf-
located. Another time he had been al
most soaked to death while the chief
posed outside. This was at the Nov
city theatre fire. Rogers said he had
never told Graves the chief was drunk,
but that he had acted like "a drunken
man in his walk and speech.
Graves was recalled for cross-ex-
that at the Newman fire the chemical
engine was not in good repair 1t de-
veloped that Graves was in charge of
the engine at this time. Fireman Auth
was the next witness, and on cross-ex-
animation said Binford was domineer-
ing for slight causes sometimes; had
never seen him under the influence of
liquor. His general manner was over
bearing. He would not listen to any
explanation of any matter Binford
was collecting note from him which
witness had given to Whalen Whalen
was always lenient in allowing the
note to run over, but Binford was I'M
reasonable in the matter.
Assistant Chief Hewitt said that
Binford was very short with men
sometimes. He thought the Newman
fire and Novelty theatre fire we'll man
aged. Never saw Binford under the
influence of liquor.
George Wardlaw testified in effect
that Binford had collapsed once while
drilling. He was rough and short with
the men.
Graves was recalled and testified as
to the mismanagement at the Heyatt
fire.
H. ]. Chapple corroborated Graves
as to Binford's physical failings and
also to his tyrannical and overbearing
conduct with the men. Hewitt was
recalled and said he had disobeyed
the chief once and had been repri-
manded. He was in the habit of fix
ing the chiefs bath, but this was SIM
ply habit of the department-eac
man fixing The bath for the one coming
next.
Mr. Foley of the Elite was called to
prove that Binford was not intoxicated
the night when it was so alleged.
Fireman Moore though the Hewatt
fire was well managed. Mr.. Lippin-
colt testified that he was with Binford
the night when the chief was said to
be drunk. The charge was false.
AT this point the chief took the
stand in his own defense and said he
had got heart trouble Certificates
from Drs. Joyce and Graves were sub
nlitted in DrOOf of thiS He dan;ad
ever being drunk since he came to Og-
den. He made rule that every mem
Der of the department must pay his
honest debts and had undertaken to
collect some, but the men always paid
willingly.
Witness closed the testimony and