The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-09-28

The board of fire and police COM
missioners held a meeting last night
at which Commissioners Kenyon, Din
inny and Grant were present. Mr.
Dininny acting as chairman in the
absence Of Mr.. Noble. The meeting de-
voted its time to routine business until
the last when 9Ir. Kenyon made a few
remarks that ultimately resulted in
the deposing Of Captain Eslinger Mr..
Kenyon stated that he thought the
board was placing itself in a position
where the legality of IT'S proceedings
might be questioned in the future. He
thought that the beard had no right to
keep Eslinger at the head of the de-
partment when the office Of captain had
been abolished and EsIinger was not
even a member Of the force
The statute governing the case made
provisions for the appointment of an
acting CHIEF in case Of a vacancy but
at present there is no vacancy. Ken
yon then suggested that Mr.. Dtninny
act IS chief of police with one of the
duty sergeanta under him. At this
point in the proceedings the board went
into executive session and 80 remained
until they adjourned
The result Of the secret session was
that a resolution was adopted which
deposed CAPTAIN Eslinger and placed
Sergeant Wire over the police depart
ment under Commissioner Dininny,
chairman Of the board of fire and police
commissioners This action takes effect
immediately and Captain Eslinger is
no longer in Office.
BILLS ALLOWED.
Bills were read and approved far the
fire department amounting to S390.S2 ?:
for the prison department S494S5; and
the police department, $3.50.
\ leave OF absence for so days was
granted 10 {. e. Wood of the fire de-
partment.
A communication from the city coun-
Gil was then read stating that the Of
fee Of captain of police had been abol-
ished and one from the city recorder
stating that the request of the board
of fire and police commissioners to
have the city attorney represent them
IN the Pratt manGa1l1as proceedings
now pending against them had been
granted Both reports were filed.
FIRE DEPARTMENT IMPROVE
MENTs.
A reQuisition for some needed fixtures
to one of the steamers in the fire de-
partment was referred to MI Kenyon
as the committee on IRE. A communi-
cation from Chief Devine MAS read in
which he asked the board to authorize
him TO make some much needed re-
pairs in the apparatus of the fire de-
partment This consisted in placing
new wheels on some, of the hose carts
and other apparatus. Also tC. sell or
exchange two horses and buy another
and to make other imprcments. Tho
communication WAS accompanied by a
Recommendation from AR Kenyon, as
committee on fire, to grant the request
which was done.
GILBERT WANTS TO RETIRE ON
HALF PAY.
A petition from William Gilbert was
read in which he prayed for the board
II use their influence with the city
council to have him retired Gu half
pay. Gilbert has been in the depart
ment for many years and is in
capaeitated TO longer do active seTv-
ice. a communication was attached 70
the petition which was addressed TO the
board Of IRE and police commissioners
and the city council and was signed
by number Of the prominent citizens
OF the city 1t was to ask them TO grant
Giibert'S petition to he retired. The
board passed a resolution to send the
communication TO the council with the
recommendation that il be granted.
The matter of bids on the contract
for oats was referred to Commissioners
Kenyon and Grant to act in co-opera-
ton With Chief Devine.
The discussion of the demurrer to
the mandamus proceedings in the
Pratt case was deferred until the
next meeting which is set for next
Monday evening.