The herald., 1897-04-29

he became abusive and raised dis
,urbance. This was not Kiser's first Of
fense, according to the engineer; In fact.
the driver was somewhat addicted to
drink, besides being afflicted with some
nervous disorder, st. Anthony's, or some
other saints dance, as Mr.. Dunn naively
remarked. The engineer denied that he
had any feeling against the driver, ana
only suspended him and reported the
case to the chief in the interest OF the
proper discipline of the department.
Kiser was next called and entered
general denial of all the charges. He
denied that he had a bottle of liquor
In his possession on the occasion claimed
by the engineer; denied that he was
drunk or in a condition which rendered
him unfit to perform his duty; denied
that he had raised any disturbance as
charged. He did admit, however, that he
was excited and may have spoken loudly
but claimed that he was smarting under
what he considered an injustice that
was being done him. He further ad-
mitted that he occasionally took a drink
but never when on duty The w1ole
charge, he asserted. was the result OF
hard feelings between himself and the
engineer, and intimated pretty strongly
that, in his opinion. his superior ofncer
was trying to ''job" him.
Edna N. Hull was called as a witness
on behalf of Kiser and gave the ac-
cused driver a very good character. He
stated that to the best of his belief
Kiser had not been drinking on the oc-
casion referred to: he was certain that
he was not drunk.
Assistant Chief Smith stated tina.
Kiser was very good fireman and at
tended to his duties, but he did not pay
that attention to the orders of his su-
perior that he should.
There being one or two witnesses more
to be examined, who were not in at
tendance, the further hearing was con-
tinued to the afternoon session.
Mr.. Flint (colored) of the Seventh
ward requested the commission that II
any new fire company is organized the
colored people be given representation
in such company.
An ordinance was approved by the
fire commissioners, providing for the
crew of the new hook and ladder COM
pany.
The petition of the Merchants Ad.
Sign company to give pyrotechnical dis
plays at Fiesta park was granted.
1t was ordered that bids for new
houses for engine No. 407 be advertised
for.
A new lot of fire alarm boxes were or
dered placed at the following points:
Main and Second streets, San Pedro ana
Eleventh streets, Twenty-ninth and Key
West streets or Thirtieth and Hoover
streets, and Eleventh and Hope streets,
Fourth and Towne streets, Eastlake
and Main or Darwin streets Arnold and
Bonnie Brae streets. Sixth and Main
streets, Macy and Lyon streets, First
street and Grand avenue, Angeleno
Heights.
Applications for appointment as call
men were received from P. H. Lamma
and Harry G. Morse and placed ON file.
after which a recess was taken until 2
o'clock.
Shortly after o'clock the commission
ers again met and Harry Meth and Sub
stitute Driver Coulter were examined. |
Both testified that Kiser was greatly
excited and talked loudly and wildly, but
neither could state positively that he
was under the influence of liquor.
After short consultation, there being
some doubt as to whether Kiser was
drunk or only excited, and he being
married man, the commissioners decid-
ed to derate him as driver and make him
a permanent fireman, at salary of IS
a month less than he had been receiving,
after which the board adjourned.