The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-25
MAGUIRE is CONSIDERING 1T.
ALDERMAN KROUsKOFF LAYS THE
PROPOSITION BEFORE HIM.

The Chief Looks Upon the Fire Mar
shaIship scheme DOubtfuIIy-Might
BE "A string Tied to the New Job, He
Thinks-DOubt Expressed as TO
Councils Endorsement of the Ac-
ton of the SeIf-Constituted Com
mfttee-AIderman KrOuskOf Is La
boring for Harmony.
Fire Chief Mcguire has under consider
alton the proposition that he shall accept
some other position in the fire department
than that he now holds in order that a
fire chief may be selected who will be
satisfactory to Council and the insurance
agents.
The proposition was the result of the re-
cent conference of several members of
Council with Messrs. Grayson and Cum
ningham of the Fire Commission, which it
was agreed should be kept a grave yard
secret The Morning News announced
position of fire marshal, have Council
make an appropriation for the office, get
Chief Mcguire to accept and then select
a chief who will be satisfactory to the
insurance men and then get the rates re-
duced. 1t has since been acknowledged
that such was the plan.
Chairman Grayson and Commits,
sloner Cunningham said they were willing
to have the proposition submitted to Chief
Mcguire and allow him to decide his own
fate. Chairman Grayson declined to make
the proposition to the Chief, and Alderman
Krouskoff undertook to make it. The AL
derman is a great believer in harmony
and it was al his suggestion that the con-
ference was held.
Chief Mcguire said yesterday that he had
the proposition under consideration, but
had not yet come to decision. He said
he did not have sufficient information as
to what Council intends to do in the mat
ter, and was doubtful of the authority of
the commission to create such an office.
IF the office should be created by Coun-
Gill;" he said, 'it would be a very easy
matter TO dispose of me at any time in
the future by simply repeating the office.
Should 1 accept the proposition, doubt
if Council would make an appropriation
for it,"
Chief Mcguire said he thought the de-
partment would be in rather an anomalous
condition with Two heads, one exercising
a general authority over the department,
except al fires, and the other having
charge of the department when fighting
fire
The aldermen who participated in the
conference Monday night all did so in
their individual capacity, and it is very
doubtful if their action would be confirm
ed by Council even should Chief Mcguire
incline to accept the proposition.
One of the aldermen, who took part in
the conference, said yesterday that he
would not vote for an appropriation for
Chief Maguires salary as supernumer-
airy of the department, and he did not
believe Council would agree to anything
of the kind.
Chairman Grayson expressed himself as
much disguised with secret conferences.
He denies that he gave out any informa-
ton concerning the conference Alderman
Davis denies very emphatically that he
gave out the information.
Alderman Krouskoff says that no one
learned from. him what took place. Had
the aldermen taken the newspaper men
into their confidence there probably would
have been no difficulty in keeping the Sc
cret.
Alderman Krouskoff IS determined to
secure harmony if possible. Eve are only
a small city and there is no reason why
we should be continually pickering and
quarrehng among ourselves he said, to
a Morning News reporter LET us have
peace. If an amicable compromise can
be reached which, will be satisfactory to
all parties concerned, will not that be
better than to continue quarreling among
ourselves"
Alderman Krouskof would not say
what were the exact terms of the pro-
posal which he submitted TO Chief Ma
guire, but there is good ground for saying
that it was practically as already out
lined.