The herald., 1897-02-18
WTTER'S VACANT CHAIR
His Resignation Leaves a Gap
in the Commission
FIREMEN ON THE CARPET
A Reprimand and a Twenty Dollar
Fine
AIarm-Semi-Annual Drill OF Wash-
ington's Birthday

The regular meeting of the board OF
fire commissioners was held yesterday
morning. but was a somewhat mournful
event Not only did 1t rain, but there
was damper within the city hall. The
chair that Louis f. Vetter has so long
adorned with honor to himself and profit
to the city was vacant. His absence
had an apprecia BILE effect upon the spir-
its of the commissioners and the usual
genial smile was absent from CHEZ
Moore's physiognomy.
Besides, the business of the commission
was not particularly cheerful, the most
prominent feature consisting of a severe
reprimand for member of the force.
Clerk Todd read the minutes of the
last session and he was visibly affected
as he had to write the fact of Mr.. Vet
ter's resignation.
The chief reported that James john
son of chemical No. responded to box
123 instead of box Is on last Sunday
morning at 3:40 o'clock After finding
out his mistake the chief stated that he
had telephoned to Johnson to hurry to
the fire and report to Assistant Chief
Smith. Instead of doing so he loitered
on the way to the fire and did not notify
the assistant chief of his arrival.
johnson was called in his own behalf
He said he mistook the number of taps
and when directed to go to the right
place he did so, and stood alongside the
assistant chief, but did not report his
arrival that he supposed the assist
ant chief would see him and tell him
whether he was needed or not.
Assistant Chief Smith was called and
remarked that he didn't know of the
chemicals arrival though he needed
its help badly; that the departments
orders were for all company captains
to report to the one in charge at the
fire.
The chief was directed to severely rep
rmand johnson and to notify him that
a second charge against him would
mean his dismissal. A 500 fine was also
placed agaisnt the recalcitrant.
The chief further reported that c. B.
Anderson, driver of cart No 2, failed to
respond to practice drill on the 18th in
stant at 1880 am.
Anderson stated that he was little
lete on the scene of action, but meant
to be on time-that he did, in fact go
through the drill. The chief was in
structed to reprimand Anderson.
On the chiefs recommendation the
water company will be asked to put in
a fire hydrant at the intersection of Ban
ming and Vignes streets. That part OF
the report recommending that an alarm
box be placed at or near Second and
Geary streets was filed, the fire alarm
boxes having not arrived as yet.
Chief Moore was granted further time
to report on the laundry on San Pedro
street, between Seventh and Eighth
streets.
The chief also reported that the semi
annual drill will take place on the 22d
inst. at ! pm, and that city officials and
the pubic have been invited to attend.
Demands and acquisitions were ap-
proved.
The following applications for appoint
ment to the fire force were filed: w. c.
Mills, George w. Rushton, Steve Quir-
olo.
Petition of Henry c. Bolermann to
erect and operate a carriage factory and
general blacksmith shop on San Pedro
street was referred to the chief
The report of Electrician Francis was
ordered filed.
The petition of A. w. Worm ct al, res
dents living west of Pearl street, be-
tween Pico and Ninth streets. asking
to have lire alarm boxes placed in that
vicinity, was referred to the chief.