The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-11
0Butte Department.

said he was giving them all the exer-
else that he possibly could. While he
was sick he could not direct the prac-
tice, but he had been doing as much
as possible since he got round again.
During the last few days with repairs
that were being made. the department
was so short handed as to make prac-
tice impossible.
This committee will insist on more
practice with the ladders" said Schatz-
lein with a great deal of earnestness
"Other departments become proficient
through practice, yet our department
does not practice at all. 1t cannot be
that the men don't need IL. The fire
horses are trained three times a day
to run under the collars and yet the Is
firemen are not trained at ALL although
they need training more than the
horses. We have good men in the de-
partment and the mayor should insist
on daily practice. The fire chief is
guarding $14.000,00 worth of property,
to say nothing of life, and yet he does
not take enough interest in his position
TO practice his men. He ought to have
his men so well drilled that he would
feel secure in his ability to handle any
fire. II there was to be a fire in the
Butte hotel tomorrow, don't think
there is a fireman who could take
man or woman from the third or fourth
story window"
I'm have to contradict you there"
interrupted Chief Werner. II will show
you any time that there are several fire.
men who can carry you down a ladder
from a third or fourth story window"
Well" continued Schatzlein, I'VE in
sist on practice, and If we don't get IL
we will bring in a report that will make
you sick. We don't only want as good
a department as we had three or four
years ago. We want a better one and
one that we can be proud Of. / have
heard more comments on the fire de-
partment lately than / ever heard be-
fore, and Ii is all because the chief
takes no interest in the work. There is
no personality in this and the present
chief will get square deal, but unless
we see something done in the line of
practice this committee will do some
thing"
Byrne blamed the mayor for paying
political debts at the public expense
and in removing ex-Chief George Lapp,
but at the same time he did not believe
that Chief Werner had had a fair OPP
portunity through not being allowed to
use his own Judgment.
Have L ever Influenced your" In
quired the mayor of the chief
rs everything in your department as
you would like to see it?' demanded
Byrne.
II will say" replied the chief, that
/ have had to cater to the volunteers.
They stayed with me and / have want
ed to stay with them"
That's the idea" said Byrne, and
then turning to the mayor he con-
tinued: Men in the fire department
don't depend on their efficiency for
their positions. You refused to appoint
Mr.. Thompson through motives that
any honorable man would be ashamed
Of"
The mayor said he did not, and Byrne
said he did and the mayor replied with
a great deal of warmth: II don't think
any more of your word than you do of
mine, not a darn bit"
Now you're swearing again." eau
toned Byrne with a smile of satisfac-
ton at having nettled the mayor.
Darn is not swearing" retorted the
citys chief executive holly. IF 1 was
addicted to swearing, I'd swear like
hell"
After again insisting on practice all
around the committee adjourned.