The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-20
KEEP HIS BADGE
A DISMISSED FIREMAN DEFIEs THE
MUNICIPAL POWERS.
Deputy City Attorney bells Increase
In salary Not Yet Ef-
fccfiye.

TINS Board OF Safety met yesterday after
noon and dismissed fireman Matt Rogers
because OF drunkenness. He pleaded guilty
to the charge, but because of past offenses
the board could not let him go with light
punishment. Rogers has been stationed
at engine house No. 6. and It is the testi-
mony of all men of the department that he
is a good fireman. After being dismissed
he refused to hand over his badge. defying
Clerk Herrick TO take it.
Chief Webster reported TO the board that
the new heavy fire engine will be here about
March I. Mr.. Mcguire said he wanted to
have a public test of the apparatus TO show
some doubling ones that a heavy engine is
practicable. A question arose as to where
the new engine shall be stationed. Mr.. Ma
guire recommended that 1t be placed in the
care Of o Stake, at house No. 6. saying
that Stake is the best mechanic and en-
gineer in the department. Chief Webster
entered an objection for the reason that
No. s house Is so far from the center of the
city and an engine there has so much unim-
proved territory TO cover. Councilman Cos
tello was present in the interest Of his part
of the city.
headquarters gets everything new and
good" said Mr.. Costello. in the West End
we have interests which are as important
as those of Meridian street. Headquarters
gets all the new engines. new chemicals and
best horses. and after they have worn out
they are put off on No. 6 or some other out
company"
Chief Webster won on the location Of the
engine. with the understanding that Stake
is to have control of it. A dispute also
arose between Mr.. Mcguire and Webster
concerning the equipment of the water
tower. Mr.. Mcguire expressed the opinion
that two members of the department can be
trained to handle the tower, while an en-
CINE team can be detailed to return for the
tower in case of an emergency. Mr.. Web
ster agreed to the arrangement for men,
but he emphatically stated that a tower
would be useless without a special team to
haul ii. the intention being that the tower
shall answer all alarms from the central
part of the city.
will drop the question now, for there is
plenty of time in which to talk the details
over"
Mr.. Webster was instructed to buy two
heavy horses and harness for the new en-
CINE, and no limit was placed on the pur-
chase price. Mr.. Webster was told to go
out and buy, and buy where he thought ne
can get the cheapest.
Monday morning was the time set for the
hearing of the charges against fireman Dan
Foor. He was absent from duty for several
days, and reported again with the story that
he had been sick in the country The board
will listen to his explanations. Clerk Her
rick reported to the board a complaint
which a colored boy had made at the Of
flee. The boy said patrolman Smith made
him haul a woman prisoner to the nearest
patrol box. The woman was piled in a
buggy belonging 10 the col0red lad. The
boy says Smith threatened him with arrest
If he did not haul the prisoner. The boys
hat was broken, his whip was destroyed,
the dashboard of the buggy was wrecked
and he was bruised. He does not ask any
thing for the bruises, but he believes the
city should pay for the damage to his prop
erty. Mr.. Mcguire said ii was a matter be-
tween the boy and the patrolman. so Clerk
Herrick was directed TO refer the young
man to Superintendent Colbert The propo-
sition of Robert Denny to sell his property
in the rear of police headquarters to the
city. the consideration being $500, was
read, but no action was taken Superin-
tendent Colbert reported that S44.70 was re-
allied by the recent sale Of stolen property.