The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-03
INVESTIGATORS AT 1T AGAIN.
COMMISSIONER WILLINI1's BOOKS
PASSED UPON.


ahe Investigation of the Insurance
Committees Charges of IncOmpc-
tency Against Fire Chief Mcguire
to Begin Next Wednesday After
noOn-The Investigation to BE Pub
Iie-A Cali for Evidence Published.
Plans of the Committee.
After having taken a long rest the in
vestigating committee of council is again
at work In fact it is said that the com
mittee has not been entirely asleep during
the last Two months. but that it has been
making some quiet Investigations, receiv-
ing the statements of persons who be-
lieved they had something to tell of in
terest to the committee.
The committee spent about an hour yes
terday afternoon with Commissioner of
Public Works Willink, examining his
books and informing themselves as to the
manner in which the accounts and re-
cords of the several departments are kept
Commissioner Willink was notified at
noon that the committee would visit him
in the afternoon. He was ready when the
members called upon him, and the books
were thrown open for inspection. The in
vestigation was not held behind closed
doors, but was conducted publicly in the
commissioners cqfice. Apparently it was
a very pleasant one, with nothing to ruff
he the feelings of any one in the slightest
Alderman Charlton chairman of the
committee, said, when seen afterwards,
that the committee had merely made
formal investigation of the books of the
commissioner for the purpose of securing
information as to the methods and system
in use in the Office. The investigation
would not be continued at present, he said,
but the committee would return to the
commissioner of public works later.
The committee will begin the investiga-
ton of the charges made by the insurance
men as to the unfitness of Fire Chief Ma
guire, Wednesday afternoon at o'clock.
AL persons having information to give,
touching the competency or incompetency
OF the fire chief are requested to hand in
the names of witnesses to the clerk of
council without delay. This request is
made in an official announcement of the
investigation in to-day's Morning News
Alderman Charlton said that the invesu-
BattOn Will De puDnc. ms course mas Deen
decided upon as being the best means of
obtaining the desired information All per-
sons who have any evidence to give eth
er as to the competency or incompetency
of the fire chief, will be given a hearing.
Alderman Charlton said that he had no
idea what line the Investigation would
take. This will depend probably upon the
developments at the hearing
1t is difficult to see how the investlga-
ton can proceed satisfactorily simply
upon an expression of belief on the part
of the insurance men of the chiefs incom-
potency. 1t will be necessary for the in
surance men to present evidence in sup
port of their charges, giving specific in
stances, showing the incompetency of the
chief. This will give the chief the oppor-
tunity Of preferring evidence in rebuttal
of these charges. The question of the
competency or incompetency of the
chief has been the subject
of much discussion through the col
umns of the newspapers and the general
public is very much interested In the out
come of the investigation.