The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-25
A FIRE DEPARTMENT ROW.
Chief Kellogg Files Charges
Against Frank Bird.
FIRE BOAT is RESPONSIBLE.
Bird, According TO the Chief, Is In
competent. Lazy, shfftless, Disre-
spectfui. Quarrelsome, Fault
Finding and . Disturber of Fire
Department Peace-Bird Denies
All and VIII Fight to the End.

There was a dramatic little episode on
board of the fire boat Snoqualmie last Fri
day, Just as the 81. Paul city council ard
other guests OF the city were embarking
for a short trip around the harbor Act
ing Assistant Engineer Frank Bird and
Fire Chief Kellogg were the actors In il,
and very few bystanders noticed 1t at the
time, but 1t has resulted In Birds suspen-
sion from duty and the filing OF sweep
ing charges of characterization and IN
competency against him by the chief.
The ciyL service commission viii invesu-
gate the matter on Monday evening. This
latest squabble in the department is the
only subject talked of among the fire
fighters just now.
The story goes that on the day in Ques-
ton Chief Kellogg was standing on the
wharf beaming on the visitors when Bird
rushed up from the engine room and, toss
Ing his hands wildly, exclaimed: Mr..
kellogg, Mr.. Kellogg. what does this
meauF What are you treating me in this
way for2 What have l ever done to you
10 deserve such treatment?'
Then. IL is said. Chief kellogg with an
apprehsnsive glance at the visitors. be-
seeched Bird TO calm himself and state
us grievance. To this request. il :
stated that Bird responded by warmly
denouncing the chief for placing him in
a subordinate position on the boat. and
putting him to shame generally"
The interview ended. II is stated, by a
a member OF the department. who claims
10 have heard all that occurred, Bird ran
back on board the boat ard attempted
It is stated, TO get Chief Engineer Hin
10 Join with him in a strike for higher
wages claiming that the time WAS most
opportune and theiS demands would surely
be complied with Hill refused TO strike
and thus. il is claimed. an embarrassing
scene was avoided, Bird going about MS
duties again.
chief Kellogg was seen by a Post-In-
tetilEenccr reporter yesterday after the
charges had been filed with thc civil sar-
vice commission. and although he refused
- make any full statement before the
trial. said that the foregoing version Of
his experience with Bird was substar-
tally correct. Bird. he said. had been
three days before temporarily transferred
from Engine Company No TO the fire
boat and had become lmbued with the
idea that he Was thereby INUNDATED The
fact was the chief said. that an arrange
ment had heen made by which Bird VS.
- get the same wages as before. and was
To ba given IDS engine again as soon al a
competent assistant engineer for The boat
could BE- found. there being none on The
eligible list
on the day following the incident the
chief sSi3 Bird was suspended from duty
ard again caused trouble by Informing
the man who relieved him that there was
. strike on The boat. and thar any person
taking position would be a 'ts,.ahf The
chief claims that he has always been
friendly "a Elrd. hut that Bird has repa.l
him hy causing continual trouble in the
oe2srfmaa-.
There are six specific charges fled
AGAINST b'r3. They are that he is gen
fFaiiv incompetent. lazy shistless disra-
sp"etfu to his superiors quarrclsor7a.
iaol.-andas and = disturher OF the fire.
4 p8rtmeut peace.
Gen. Il Na;rtlf Birds LAWYER viii
tefat flle Is specific dental az each ~ he
six charges and says that Bsra viii COM
rf. f"i proof O. cach Or them
hr3 was on the Ere bcst five or SIX
y arS age. hut les' the department. ey+e-
som" trouble wl'h the chief lie heshee,
2" the deFar,m"u; about year this time