Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-10
Personal REMARKS
EnllVened a Council Committee Meet
ing Last Night.
A Resolution by Captain Otto
Which Chief Klieves Construed
as a Personal Rehection-Noth
ing Followed but Words, How.
ever-The Business Considered.
Bids for Hose Asked For.

0lOS IOT nose ASKED For.
The Council Committee on Fire De-
partment met, last evening, and some
unusual interest was attached to the
proceedings by little controversy be-
tween Chief klieves and Captain Otto,
arising out of a resolution offered by
the Captain which the Chief construed
to reflect upon his personal honesty,
integrity and attention to business gen.
orally.
Bills were first considered, and Svere
recommended for payment to the
amount Of $24161.
The Chief then submitted brief re-
port for April, in the course of which
he called attention to two defective
horses, one in the Eighth ward and the
other at the hook and ladder In adj
dition he called attention to some minor
repairs, and renewed his former sug-
gestion about additional hose, chemical
outfits, ETC. The horse matter was i'm
mediately taken up, and the sub-com-
mite was instructed to buy two ami
mails
This brought the committee to the
main incident of the evening. Captain
Otto moved, in substance, that a CUR
chasing committee be appointed TO
make all purchases for the department,
they having heretofore been generally
made by the Chief, except in the in
stances of new apparatus, new hose
contracts for repairs to buildings, and
matters of that sort Speaking to his
resolution, the Captain said it was not
Il q fron To do
legate purchases to one man in the
style which had obtained in the past,
and thought there should be an imme-
date and radical change of procedure.
This brought Chief Klieves to his
feet, and with some feeling the official
remarked that the idea appeared to be
entertained that he was personally
getting something out of it." He de-
sired TO resent any such intimation.
Captain Otto-If | thought so, | would
have said SO.
The Chief-Well, you came pretty
near saying so.
Captain Otto-I wouldn't come near
it. If | thought so l would say So
Here the Chair interposed, and said
he was satisfied Captain Otto intended
no personal reflection, and the Chief
replied with the assertion that all he
had done had been done conscientiously
and with the sole idea of subscribing
the best interests of the department and
of the city. He would be very glad to
be relieved of the work of making pur-
chases. He again referred to Captain
Otto's motion and remarks, and said if
no reflection had been intended it came
very close to it, for one could always
read between the lines" Again the
Chair interposed and said Captain Otto
had apologized for what he had said
mo, I didn't apologize" said the
Captain, ''for | had nothing 10 apollo
giZe for"
The resolution was discussed in a very
general manner for some time, and
during the talk a reference was made
to smoke protectors ordered by the
Committee over year ago. and not yet
purchased. The brought the Chief to
his feet again with an explanation to
the effect that the order had been sent
more than six months ago, and he had
been informed by the manufacturers
that they had discontinued making the
protectors which had been selected, but
were manufacturing better and differ
emit article. The Chief said he had sent
instructions to fill the order with the
improved article, and reply was re-
ceived that they would do so as soon
as possible Captain Otto questioned
this statement as to the length of time,
and the trouble appeared on the point
of breaking out in fresh place, but
Chairman Mcclure interposed and quiet
ed the disputants.
Discussion of the resolution was re-
sumed, and Captain Oott explained that
his general idea was to have a purchas
ing committee, of which the City Clerk
should be a member, buy all needed ar
ticles upon recommendation by the
Chief and action by the Committee, adj
ding that the City Clerk was paid for
his time and had time do to do the
work and that the busiress of the de-
partment generally should be conduct
ed in the same manner as a private
business was carried on.
After a good deal of general talk, the
Otto resolution was adopted. An ex-
animation of section II of the existing
ordinance then revealed the*fact that
the restrictions were amply sufficient,
and that purchases were to be made
upon orders of the Committee or some
person designated by it, the person
heretofore, by general consent being the
Chief, except in the exceptions noted
near the outset of this article The re-
solution was then rescinded, and sub
committee, consisting Of Messrs Baird,
Otto and Nesbitt, was appointed to for
mulate a list of articles which the Chief
might purchase in emergencies.
This matter led to a discussion, in
which the Chief showed Enthusiastically
that he felt that some imputation had
been put upon him, and intimated that
if a piece of apparatus was out of ser
vice he would let it remain in that con-
dition, simply notifying the Commit
tee. Chairman Mcclure discouraged any
such action, and after a good deal OF
talk a sort Of truce was patched up and
matters will take about the usual
course.
The matter of fire escapes, which
usually comes before the Committee
about twice year, was brought up by
Mr.. Baird, who wished to know what
had become of the Chiefs old-time in