The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-27
Councilman Weller Blocks the Pro-
motion of the Fireman.
IS LIKELY TO WIN OUT
PLAIN TALK AT THE COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING.
Mr.. Earl Brings In An Endowment
Robe Episode As An Explanation
of the Whole Observation-Disclosures
As a Marplot-Chief Devine's
Strategy-Routine Matters.

Whether Fireman NJ. W. Earl will be
promoted to a lieutenantcy in the de-
partment depends upon proof of the ale
! cation that he applied a vile and offensive
epithet to Councilman Weller in the pres
ence of other firemen, who made known
to the councilman the language alleged to
have been used by Earl in expressing his
estimation of one who voted against the
/ mayors appointment of Chief Devine to
succeed himself. The proposition to pro-
mote Earl along with three other firemen,
was favorably reported to the council last
week by the committee on fire and police,
but, on Councilman Weiler's request, the
matter was referred back to enable the
Investigations. The committee. with
Councilman Weller associated, commenc-
ed last evening to INQUIRE into tie accl-
Sation against Earl.
THE SPECIFIC CHARGE.
Councilman Weller stated that he had
been credibly informed that the day after
the appointment of Chief Devine had been
! flremen did refer to him. the councilman,
as dirty s. of a b." for having voted
against confirmation The councilman,
who refuses to be claSSed In that cate
CORY, added tht If the aspiring fireman
made use of such an inappropriate term
in a moment of thoughtiessneSs and would
but If the words were intended and not
withdrawn, he proposed to deal with the
matter in way that would have Salu-
tary effect at the headquarters of the
firemen, where ''rag-chewing" contests
were said to be of frequent occurrence.
THE ENDOWMENT ROBES EPISODE.
Fireman Earl appeared before the COM
mittee in his own behalf. Chief Devine
was also present. BY way of defense and
explanation. Mr.. Earl stated that months
ago some of his fellow firemen offended
HIM by saying Chief Deyine had compelled
him to oivest himself of his endowment
robes as a prerequisite to his continuance
of service in the department. Without
inCuIrinE who had started such false
hood, he branded the author of 1t in the
language attributed to him by Council
man Weller in his specific charge, but he
disclaimed having at later date referred
to the member from the First as a $ of a
b. He did not in the first instance have
reference TO him or any other councilman,
he said and his solution of the charge
was that some of his enemies in the de-
partrnent had falsely. and for a purpose
adapted the words used in the endowment
episode to the later incident, which Coun-
Gilman Weller had been led to believe had
actually occurred.
ROBERTSON THROWS THE GAUNT-
LET.
After Councilman Allen seriously ex-
pressed the belief that no Atty official or
employee should have license TO call any
member of the city council such name,
tho committee, as We'll as Councilman
Weller were inclined to accept EarfS eX-
PLANTATION. but. Councilman Robertson. in
his zeal to befriend the accused fireman,
upset things by censuring his colleague
for not having brought forth any corrob-
orative evidence ere this late day. Chating
under Robertson'S cenSure, Councilman
Weller said he would bring in the whole
fire force to prove his charge If the de-
sire were to non-suit him. Accordingly,
a NJ Tnr WI
Monday evening. at the Ere headquarters,
when Councilman Weller proposes to sub
init for the committees consideration a
preponderance of evidence TO substan-
tate the accusation against Earl.
DEFINES LEGAL STRATEGY.
Councilman Fernstrom had intended to
bring to the committees notice the fact
that Chief Devine has so far failed, If not
refused, TO qualify, under his re-appoint-
ment, but the councilman was engaged
with the enrolment committee consider
ing bias for printing the last annual re-
ports OF course, the chiefs old oath and
pond are still in force, but IL is claimed
that his neglect to qualify anew gives him
an undue legal advantage over the city
pose to bring suit for recovery of salary
at the rate of SIS a month, that being the
amount deducted monthly from his COM
pensation by operation OF the new salary
ordinance. Chief DeVine believes that he
is legally entitled to $40 monthly instead
OF SlZ5. as now paid, by rea son of his ser
vices as inspector of street lighting but
he AYERS that his failure to nile a new
oath and bond is due TO an oversight on