The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-27
PLACED UNDER TWO CHIEFS
ST. PAUL FIRE DEPARTMENT IS
WELL SUPPLIED
Ch1ef jackson Refuses to Turn the
Office Over to Hart N. COOIS--Says
There Has Been No Election of a
ArOsfn-Fire Board Stands by
Chief Cook.


ArOsfn-Fire Board Stands by
Chief Cook.
The action of Mayor Doran's ap-
pointees TO the fire board in deposing
Chief jackson, yesterday developed in
tr1cacleS which promises a stubborn
legal fight and places the fire depart
ment under two chiefs. until the con-
troVersy is adjudicated by the courts.
Chief Jackson claims the action of
the board removing him is Illegal and
contends that he is still chief of the
department. The fire board insists
that Its choice of Hart NJ Cook as
ch1ef was in accordance with all legal
requirements and under direction of
President Arosin, Mr. Cook is exercis-
ing the prerogatiVes Of chief, while I'M
der the advice of his attorneys, Chief
jackson still occupies quarters at the
central fire hall and runs to fires,
claiming that he Is the sole head of
the department.
The ENHANCEMENT came about
through the service Of a document on
President Arosin by Chief Jackson,
setting forth Jackson's position. which
not only alleges that there has been
no election of a chief but also attack
ing President Arosin's position as a
member of the fire board
In support of the latter allegation it
is cited that the city charter expressly
states that no incumbent of a CITY of
nce, either elective or appointive, shall
be eligible to appointment on the fire
board, whereas it is Claimed that Presi-
cent Arosln is member of the library
board
1t is formally alleged that Mr.. Arosin
was member of the library board
when appointed to the fire board and
is still one of the library board Con-
sequently, it is alleged that his having
been the deciding vote for the choice
or Chief Cook, there was no election,
and therefore Chief Jackson is still the
head of the department.
Another point raised by Chief Jack
sons attorneys is that the requirement
OF thirty days notice to Chief Jackson
before the action of the commissioners
was not complied with. 1t is alleged
that the notification was served on
Jackson Feb, "a, and that as he was
removed March 20, but twenty-nine
days had elapsed between the notifica-
ton and the action of the board in
electing Chief Cook.
When asked concerning the situation
last evening President Arosin said that
no cognizance was taken by the board
of Jackson's claims and that Chief
Cook had the boards support as the
mead or the department
The claim in the notice presented
to me and which is addressed to the
board of fire commissioners. said
President Arosin, chat I was a mem
Der of the library board when appoint
ed to the fire board and that by virtue
Of this allegation l cannot hold my
present position, is wholly without
foundation.
"The claim that Mr.. Jackson received
but twenty-nine days notice instead of
thirty, is also unWarranted, but NAV
furnish a technical ground for a legal
contest
My position as a member of the
library board L held by virtue of being
a member of the common council as
the state law requires that the mayor
appoint a member of the council to the
library board When 1 resigned from
the council L also ceased to be a mem
Der of the library board Formal no
tice of such resignation is on file, and
when produced at the proper time will
dissipate Mr.. Jackson's first claim
THE contention that Mr.. Jackson was
not given the full thirty days notice
Of removal is not upheld by the facts
1t is true that the formal notification
old not reach Mr.. Jackson until Feb
"a, but the action of the board direct
ing that he be given due notice was
passed Feb. % at a meeting at which
Mr.. Jackson was present, and was in
itself notice."
President Arosin said that Chief
Cook was the only recognized head of
the department and that orders had
been issued to the members of the fire
department to obey the orders of no
enc else. There would be no attempt
to eject Chief Jackson from the cen
trail headquarters, President Arosin
said. but if Mr.. Jackson desired to run
to fire he would have to harness his
own horse, and any fireman doing so
would be suspended frem the service
President Arosin said that the dOcu-
ment received from Chief Jackson had
not been submitted to the city legal
department for an opinion, and that
such a course would not be resorted TO,
unless agreed upon by the fire board
at it's next regular meeting.
There is no personal strife between
the two acting chiefs at central head
quarters. as there is an understand
ing between them, and Chief Jackson
does not interfere with Chief Cooks
direction of the department, merely
formally continuing the duties of chief
for legal requirements.
AT the fire in r. e. Cobb's commits
sion house, 1913 West Third street.
stepped up to Chief Cook tapped the
latter on the shoulder, remarktng:
Cook, L place you in charge of this
fire" and issued no further orders,
though remaining at the fire until it
was eXtinguished.
AS a result of his position, Chief
Jackson says he cannot assume the re-
sponsibility for fire loss pending the
adjustment Of the trouble, as the fire
board has taken the power of actual IL
rection from his hands. and he does
not intend to stir I'D strife by insist
ing that members of the department
obey his orders, or that Chief Cook act
in his former capacity of second as
Sistant chief.
The next regular meeting of the fire
board is scheduled for the second Tues
Gay in April, but it is probable that
a special meeting will be called within
a few days for discussion of the stu
alton arising from the present compli-
cations.
EMERTCA'S ROSS ADVERTISER