The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-21

concerned.
The fire and police board so decided
last night when an effort to GUST the
chief failed on a tie vote, Noble at
the last moment going over to Cohn
in defense of the chief.
The final vote on the matter was TAX
en- in executive session after the mem
bers for an hour or more had DIS
cussed the evidence brought out in the
Investigation. 1t was spirited SEES
sion. too. The members no doubt eX-
pected that it would be, for every
body, even Clerk Felt, was excluded
from the room. Further than that.
the clerk was instructed to be on the
lookout for anyone that might at
tempt eavesdropping. SO far as that
is concerned the board might nave
discussed the subject in open session,
for a very complete report OF the Sc
cret proceedings follow.
The board had expected to call some
witnesses, and Assistant Chief Dono-
van and Fireman Morton were on
hand to take the stand. The members,
however, after holding whispered con-
SITUATIONS, decided that it would not
be advisable to call members of the
department; it would only stir up
strife and discord.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Il move you now, Mr.. Chairman,
that we go into executive session.
said Dininny.
1t carried, the room was cleared, and
the session was on.
The preliminaries were opened by
Dininny. who at some length discussed
the evidence adduced to show that
Devine was a thoroughly incompetent
man. He was followed by Grant, who
also discussed the manner of fighting
the Scott-Auerbach fire. Cohn joined
in and there was a general discussion
all around.
Then came the surprise of the even
ing. Noble. who has been credited
with opposing the chief all along, sided
in with COhn. He was probably not
so earnest in his defense of the chief
as was the former, but it was very
evident that he would not sanction
removal. Mobiles position nettled Din
inny and Grant and the discussion
grew more tropical. A deadlock was
now apparent and each side warmed
up in the debate on the merits and
dement's of the case
1T seems to me-" began Dininny.
that from the evidence we have heard
Devine does not enjoy the confidence
OF his men. It has also been plainly
shown he has no discipline, an essen /
tial qualification for the head of a fire
department"
COWARDICE CHARGED AND DE-
MED.
q have seen three or four fires my
self interposed Grant. in an en-
phatic tone. 'Devine seldom gets
around where the fire is himself. He
is afraid and shows very decided symp- /
toms of cowardice The men know !
this and have no confidence in him. |
He loses his head too easy
but Il he'd run a hose into the second /
or third floor in the start the fire would /
never have spread into the Auerbach /
building The flames could have been
kept from coming through the arch
way. The chief, it appears, had en-
tirel-r lost his head and did not know
either where to begin or stop"
At this point Cohn broke in:
Wei. gentlemen, as TO the coward
ice of the chief, am unable to speak
at this time. We know full well that
the department is not large enough for
q city of this size, and I fail to see
where any evidence has been produced
TO show the chief incompetent Now.
gentlemen. 1 am honest about my con-
tentions when / say Devine has saved
the CITY millions of dollars from fire
loss. l have no doubt about you three
gentlemen being sincere in the position
you take. but l can say l can not
Tor the life of me see in what respect
Mr.. Devine has been shown incompe-
tent. The chief is a sober man, an
honest man and d man to whose name
no scandal is attached. He has served
the city faithfully. l know there are
many men in the department who
should not be there. There are two
or three thoroughly bad men who
should be kicked out. There are some
good men. and among these 1 would
include Sullivan. Mccarthy, Bywater
and others. They are good firemen and
would be credit to any city
"As to the chief showing signs of
cowardice, do not believe it," con-
Guided Cohn. If 1 thought him TO be a
coward I should not favor his reten-
ton"
COINS speech evidently had a damp
ening effect on the other members. for
Il was some moments before another
word was uttered. The silence VAS
finally broken by Grant: III
There has been no evidence to show
-aat hose could not have been put,
through room about 50 feet back
rom the front and the fire successfully
fought from the front of the building
u hose could also have been run
through George NJ. SCOTS office. but
I was never attempted. There has /.
been no evidence to show that even
windows in the front of the building ,
we're broken until the fire had con-
;umed the entire structure 1t was
plain that the department had plenty
If hose, but it was not put in the right
place"
MOBILES VIEWS.
Noble said there was a great differ
nee of opinion as to how the fire should
lave been handled 1t was a question
whether it should have been fought J
rom The front or the rear and even 9
xperts at this time would be unable :
o agree on the correct manner of go .
ng about it. Noble then spoke about b
diss Smiths rescue and could not see {
hat the chief was TO blame in any c
manner Cor not getting her OF the /
oof any sooner.
so far as l am able to ascertain"
ontinued he, the chief took no par :
ocular stand at the fire; he seemed S
D be everywhere. l have seen fires in il
'hicago, and the chief never leaves the b
ront of the building. And as far as q
hat IS concerned, the assistant chief ;
as about as much authority as the =