The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-20

Mayor Bailey and the members of the
joint fire department committees OF
councils conducted the investigation
into the Franklin Engine company
troubles last night in the select coun-
ell chamber. There was a large attend
ance of West Siders. showing that nc
small amount of interest Is taken in
the affair across the river. The investi-
cation was probably the most thorough
that a councilmanic committee evel
made. At first II was attempted tc
conduct the proceedings with some re-
gard for order and regularity, but this
was given up as hopeless task before
the hearing had gone very far.
Then everybody and anybody was
given full privilege to tell all they knew
or had heard, concerning the company
and its troubles, whether or not 1t per-
ta!ned to the matter under investigation
and as consequence the committee got
u full insight into the company's chaotic
history since its troubles first began.
Mr.. Finn thought to do away with an
Investigation and bring about an annie.
able adjustment Of the troubles by pro-
posing that committee of five West
Side business men select thirty men foi
membership in the company; that the
company select ten men from this num-
Der and admit them to full membership
and that the augmented company
choose permanent man.
Foreman James l.. Beavers would moi
approve of any such proposition on the
grounds that all organizations have 8
right to select their own members, and
1t would be unfair to the Franklins tC
have outsiders name their members
The company, he said, was not in favor
of having ten men forced upon them.
Mr.. Finn argued that in view of the
fact that the people of the West Side
We're kicking about the present condi-
tion of affairs in the company and par
ticularly its limited membership, that
something ought to be done to put it or
a better footing.
ARE NO FACTIONS.
Foreman Beavers said that most of
the trouble was all newspaper talk.
The company had their little differ
ences but there We're no factions. He
reiterated that there were no factions.
To questions by Mr.. Finn, Foreman
Beavers admitted. that one of the sew
cnteen members of the company lived
in Green Ridge and two others in other
places than Hyde Park.
Proof of Foreman Beavers cOnten-
tion that there We're no two factions in
the company then began to pour in.
John IL. Reynolds one of the younger
members" when asked to give his
opinion of Mr.. Firms proposition said
he favored it. Members had been
blackballed simply because they were
young men. That's false" broke in
Foreman Beavers.
rs it?' said Mr.. Reynolds. "just
read that letter." and he handed up a
letter to Secretary Beamish. The let
ter was from 7. H. Allen, one of the
''older members" 1t stated that the
writer was one of the committee to
investigate the character of three can
Reynolds. He could find nothing
against them but yet felt that they
would be blackballed and requested Mr..
Reynolds to withdraw their names.
The proposition of Mr. Finn was then
voted on and lost, Messrs. Fellows,
Burns, Frable. Simon Thomas and
Noone voting against it, and Messrs.
Finn and Moir for it,.
On motion of Mr.. Frable the inves-
will
Mayor Bailey directed that the charges
against Permanent Man Sproats be
read. They were contained in the fol-
lowing letter:
Scranton, Aug. 5, 1896.
To the Honorable James G. Bailey
Dear Sir: ! herein charge William
Sproats, permanent man at the Franklin
Engine house with disobeyins my orders
and disconnecting his stall doors from the
trip and leaving the house without my
permission on July q. He left his har-
ness on the floor and went away for over
an hour and quarter and he has the
front doors and frames broken up through
his carelessness backing in the house
therefore / would most respectfully re.
quest that this man be removed from this
house, as we can have no good service as
long as he is in charge of the team.
Yours respectfully,
James l.. Beavers, Foreman
GALLEY THREE c
OUT WITHOUT LEAVE.
Foreman Beavers was sworn to sub
stantiate the charges. He said the!
were all true and more too. He me
Sproats over on the South Side ont
week ago Saturday night. He was ou
without permission. Councilman Moor
here volunteered the information tha
snrnatr x1.ant with him to gee Ohio