The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-09-24
WHERE IRE THEY At {?
Asst Chief Denmead Calls At
tention to Fire Dept
Absentees.

The Fire Commissioners held a4lengthy
session last night. The time was chiefly
occupied In trying several .sBuffalos' for
neglect Of duty and a lineman for using
disgracefui language to his superiors.
Engineer Denmead reported to the Board
the condition in which he found Box 40
on the morning of the Bowers street fire.
As will be remembered the keyhole in the
box was plugged up with red clay so thai
It could not be opened, and the alarm
had to be sent from Box 43. Denmead
was instructed to waitsupon chief Murphy
and get him to make an investigation of
the case. He called upon the Chief this
morning and the head Of the Police De-
partment promised him that he would
have the matter thoroughly investigated.
Engineer Denmead sent an interesting
Communication with his monthly report
OF the men on sick leave. The letter was
as follows
7 the Board of Fire Commissioners
"GentlemenI respectfully call your
attention to the report presented to you
rererr1ng to permanent members of this
department who are unable to perform
any duty whatever either through sick
ness or injury; time of absence from duty
ranging from one to eleven months.
would that a rigid ex-
animation be made as. to their condition
and prospect Of being able at any time
to return to duty.
department. AS vol are aware, our COM
panies consist of but four and FIVE men
to each when all are on duty. When de-
sailed men are accounted for our number
rs stAi iessened, and at times we are at
our Wits end to properly man the connDa-
Mes. ! would respectfully call your atten-
ton 70 the law governing the retirement
of duty.
1T is my earnest desire that advantage
be taken of such legislation tina the de-
well-known efficiency, which 1t win be
unable. to maintain If not properly
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN 7. DENMEAD,
Assistant Engineer Commanding De-
partment."
The communication was referred to abe
Committee Of the Whole. with power.
The reports for July and August of the
number of fires showed a total of 50 for
July, of which % were bell alarms, and
30 for August, Of which q were bell. The
total loss in money in July was 81. $50.
There was ISL. 300 insurance Upon the
premises. of which S52. 986 was paid to the
insured. Augustus total loss was sIo, s54.
Ihe insurance Upon 1t was S65. 800. but
only SAB was paid out. In the past
two weeks there nave been nine fires
OF which five We're bell alarms.
ChAS LII S0iC0t q X llIt6f1d0.
was tried on the charge of using obscene
and threatening language and fined five
days pay. Jones pleaded not guilty and
his trial consumed nearly an hour.
J. F. Kimbaii, Michael Haley, Charles
Herig and Albert Howes. hosemen-at-call.
otherwise known as "Buffaloes, were
tried on the charge Of not having at
tended sixty per cent. of the fires. The
first three appeared and pleaded guilty.
They all had some excuse or other and
were allowed to remain in the depart
ment. Howes failed to put in an appear
ance and he was dismissed.
August +. Gerard, engineer of Engine
Company No. 9, sent III his resignation,
to take effect Immediately. 1t was ac-
cepted and Alfred Gilbert, stoker of No.
10 engine. was promoted to his place.
Howard Van Voorhis. stoker of No. 8
/ engine, was transferred to No. 10 Engine
Company. Charles Wagner, hose-man-at-
call of No. 4 Engine Company, was pro-
noted to stoker of Engine No. g..
Valentine L~indermann. Thomas j. Heidi
and Thomas j. Sewall were appointed
h-osemen-at-call.
The passing of the pay and pension
rolls, which amounted to 50, 091. so, wound
up the business of the meeting.