The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-23

chairman Of the fire committee. and w,
L. Grayson, Esq, chairman of Fire Com
mission. were appointed for this purpose.
Fire Chief Mcguire was directed to SUI
perintend the work. Some time after
Adolph NJ. LETTER, Esq, succeeded Mr..
Car0an as chairman of the fire commits
tee and under the direction of Messrs.
Letter and Grayson this work was pr6c-
tically completed. Mr.. r. NJ. Hull who
succeeded Mr.. Letter, assumed, with Mr..
Grayson, the actual completion of station
No. p
1T may seem, from the information you
have had, that the position taken by your
committee and yourselves, was entirely
proper, but when Mr.. Grayson, by direc-
ton Of this board, asked for an audience
before your committee on accounts to
which this matter was referred, with
view Of explaining why this expense
should have been charged to public prop
crty, in al justice and fairness he should
have been accorded at least a hearing. We
regret that the charges made by you.
which we cannot approve, Will show on
the BOOKS of the City Treasurer that this
board has exceeded the appropriation au-
thOriZed by Council. which is a violation
Of the laws, and which is entirely incor-
rect there being a large amount 10 our
credit
1--WE have endeavored In every way 20
encourage a friendly feeling on the part of
City Council" the report continues, with
a view of encouraging discipline among
cur suboTdinates, and promoting the well
fare of our home and our people. We
are anxious that the public generally
should become possessed of a feeling of
security in the protection which this de-
partment should afford them and we sin
cerely trust that, during the coming year,
more harmony will exist and less discour-
tesies will be shown toward this board by
hsar rrsfTr
estly asked for the passage of certain
ordinances, which, If enacted, will mate>
rally reduce the fire loss, and we trust
that in 1898 Council will be pleased to ac.
cept our recommendations and sugges-
tons with more consideration than il has
seen fit to accord them in the past
This department is one of public safety,
which deserves the support of every law
abiding citizen, and we hope that, for the
best interest of the public at large, Coun-
ell will in future bear this in mind. The
present condition of affairs, If continued
will destroy the efficiency, demoralize and
disrupt an organization which we have so
earnestly endeavored to perfect.
The recent reduction in the appropria-
ton for the year 1898 has compelled US to
reduce the force for the coming year This
is a very disagreeable duty for us to
perform but the law compels us to oper-
ate for the amount authorized by Council.
Inc services or this department for the
past year have been extremely satisfac-
Tory and we regret that Council has seen
fit to practically demand that we decrease
the efficiency Of the force by a reduction
made necessary by a decrease in the ap-
preparation. We will endeaVor TO the best
Of our ability TO conduct the department
with the money given US, and have re-
duced the force to an extent barely suffi-
Gent to meet the reduction in our means
In all probability we win be compelled
TO make further reduction