The herald., 1897-04-15
ACLOSE SHAVE
Engineer Velsir's Narrow
Escape
A HEAVY FINE IMPOSED
He Will Pay $lOO Into the City
Treasury
DISCIPLINE TO BE MAINTAINED
DISCIPLINE TO BE MAINTAINED
Ex-ASSISTANT CHIEF M'MAHON
ELECTED A DRIVER
The Main Street Paving Matter-Con-
tractors Preparing to Begin
Work-Progress of the
City Census

Engineer Jim VelSir of engine company
No. yesterday escaped decapita-
tion by the skin of his teeth. but he re-
ceived lesson in the shape of heavy
fine that will keep him in the straight
and narrow path for some time to come.
Besides, the action of the commissioners
taken at yesterdays meeting is of spe-
cial Significance to the entire depart
ment, as it indicates general 'jacking
up" all along the line, and any breaches
of discipline in the future will be severely
punished.
All of the commissioners were in their
places when Mayor Snyder called the
board to order, with the exception of Mr..
Sabichi, who is confined to his house by
sickness. Chief Moore was also on hand
rcspicntdeIt ii ali the siory Of full dress
uniform.
The chief reported that he had received
letter from the factory, saying that the
new Babcock hook and ladder truck had
been shipped on the 10th inst, and that
1t was expected to arrive in time for the
Fiesta parade. There was. however.
no certainty about this, as railroad COM
munication had been interrupted by .he
floods in the east, and it was just pos
sible that the apparatus, conceded to be
the best of its kind ever turned out, might
be delayed until after that time.
The chief also reported that ex-Assist-
ant Chief James Mcmahon was an ap-
plicant for position as driver. The chief
stated that Mcmahon was a good man
and his record while a member of the
department had been highly satisfac-
tory. He recommended his appointment
and suggested that he be assigned to
duty as driver of the new truck, posi-
tion which he was in every way quail
flied to fill, as he was an experienced
horseman and sufficiently powerful to
handle the big three-horse team.
Mcmahon was called before the board
and asked If he thought that he could
handle three-horse team.
Mac" replied with a smile that he
thought he could, and as the inspection
of the man was evidently satisfactory
to the commissioners, he was elected a
member of the department by a unani-
nous vote.
On motion of Commissioners Sinsabaueh
the council was asked 10 arrange for the
purchase of all supplies of hardware
used in the department under contract
obtained under competitive bidding.
The case of Engineer Jim Velsir, of en-
gine company No. 4, under suspension
by the chief FOR drunkenness while or
duty, was then taken up and Nelsir was
called before the board to tell his story.
Velsir stated that he had been having
trouble with some of the neighbors at
the time of the trouble. which had driven
him to drink, and he had INDUCED too
freely for his own good. He insisted,
however that he was 1t no time in such
a condition that he was incapable of
properly handling his enginee if an alarm
had come in.
Commissioner Wells was mol disposed
to pass over the matter lightly The case
was a particularly serious one, for the
reason that Velsir had been before the
commissioners several times before on
other charges. 1t would be bad enough
If it was his first offense, but it was not,
and the commissioners could not over
look this fact Besides this. he was in
charge of his entire district until the
arrival of his superior officers. and he
should set a good example to his men.
Such cases as this, if passed over, would
soon demoralize the whole department.
The mayor said that the offense with
which Velsr was charged was the most
serious that fireman could commit. The
property of the people Is in their keep
ing and they should at all times be in a
condition to do their duty. He believed
that the punishment should be of such a
character that it would have a dscip1in-
ary effect on the entire department.
Commissioner Kuhrts, the friend OF
the old-timers, pleaded hard to save Vel
sir's official scalp. He did not attempt
to excuse Velsir's action, but he thought
that a heavy fine would be sufficient in
this case. Fine him and give him another
chance, and if he again came before the
commission he would not say word.
Commissioner Sinsabaugh thought
there were but two courses open-it was
either a question of the dismissal of the
offender or the imposition of a heavy
fne. and he was inclined to think that
dismissal would be better for the disci-
pline of the department. Mr. Sinsa-
baugh was very emphatic on this point
and said that he wanted it distinctly un-
derstood that no man in the department
lad "cinch" on his position only so lone
as he did his duty.
After some further talk, on motion Of
Commissioner Sinsabaugh, Velsr was
fined 500 and the chief was instructed tt
notify him that the next complaint ol
any kind would be considered ground!
for immediate and permanent dismissal
The chief also reported that in attend
Ing a fire on San Julian street on the
9th inst, Driver j. C. Johnson of engine
No colided with blackboard on Sar
Pedro street and injured the occupants
Driver Johnsons statements plainly
showed that the occurrence was an ac
cident due to the excitement of the oc.
cupants of the blackboard. The matter
was taken under advisement.
The chief reported further that the
petition of Fred Colby to erect ant
maintain blacksmith shop at 112.