The herald., 1898-01-06
Important Change in Street Improve
ment Specifacations-New Hy-
drant Valves to Be Ordered

-
on Franklin street several nights ago.
The assistant chief stated that while
the other members of the department
were fighting the fire Coulter sat upon
the truck, holding the horses. While
there he made something of a clown Of
himself for the edification Of the crowd
that surrounded the truck. He was
laughing and joking with a number of
persons in the crowd, and his voice could
have been heard block. He was told
to keep still, and replied that he did not
know that he was doing anything wrong.
When Coulter was called In his own
defense he made a clean breast of the
matter. although saying that at the time
1t had not occurred to him that he was
doing anything wrong. Had he not
made this admission heavy fine would
have been his portion, for two members
of the commission were witnesses to his
actions. AS it was. however, he es-
capped with reprimand.
The other case was that Of the trouble
which had occurred between Foreman
Martin Dunn of Engine Company No.
and George Conart, who drives the SIS
cH8lucp On lAC night VI 4SCSCAAlOCk Or
Dunn stated that he had previously had
a dispute with the driver, because the
latter had overstayed leave of absence.
On the night mentioned Conart failed to
come into the house at the time that the
other members of the company went to
bed, and the doors were locked. After
ward he tried the door. but finding 1t
locked, remained outside. At 1855
o'clock an alarm sounded from box 46,
and Dunn claimed that, as the driver
was outside, he was late in getting his
horse hitched up. The two men had
some words after 1t was seen that that
company did not respond to the first
alarm from that box. and Dunn de-
clared that Conart tried to draw pistol
on him. Dunn reached for an iron bar,
and advanced upon Conart, who re-
trented:- When they passed the engine
Dunn seized fire shovel and drove
Conart out OF the house with 1t. As the
latter was leaving the house he showed
his pistol, but made no attempt to use it.
In his own defense Conart explained
why he had remained away from the
house longer than his leave allowed him.
AS to the trouble with the foreman he
said that he resides next door to the
engine house, and on the night Of the
trouble he had been sitting out In front
of his house with his wife. He knew Of
no rule that provided when fireman
was to go to bed. and he wanted to cele-
brate the advent of the new year. For
that purpose he had placed his pistol in
his pocket. intending to fire 1t at 10
o'clock. Five minutes before that time
the alarm of fire sounded, and instead of
being late In hooking up his team he had
the horses in harness before the foreman
had counted the alarm. After it was
found that that company did not have
to respond to that box Dunn began
abusing him for what he chose to call
his inattention to duty, and Conart, who
is of an excitable disposition, replied in
kind. Dunn approached him, and CO.
mart claimed that he retreated. He said
that as he was leaving the house his
pistol fell from his pocket, and he caught
1T with his hand. He declared that he
had no intention Of using the weapon,
and pointed to the reasonable SUPPOSE
ton that had he desired to use the pistol
he would not have retreated.
F. J. Mckinley and L. E. Barringer
both members of the company, told the
story Of the difficulty as they had seen
it. Neither had seen much of 1t, however
but both had seen the pistol. The COM
mission, after much discussion, came to
the conclusion that Conart had beer
guilty of an infraction Of the rules and
it was decided to impose fine Of $40
upon him. The chief was also instructed
to transfer him to another engine house
Commissioner Wells insisted thai
Foreman Dunn had not acted as he
should have done in the matter His
duty was to have reported Conart, in.
stead Of having tried to discipline him
himself. The commissioner therefore
moved. and the motion prevailed, that
the chief severely reprimand Dunn ant
instruct him to report all such matters
to the commission in the future.
The first steps toward the establish
ment Of a civil service system in the de.
partment along the lines mentioned II
the annual report of the chief were taker
by the appointment of Commissioners
Wells and Kuhrts as special commit.
tee to formulate plans for the establish.
ment Of the system.
In the matter of the inspection Of the
boilers OF the fire engines by the boiler
Inspector, which had been referred tC
Chief Moore for investigation, the chiei
in his report asked that he be granted
one weeks more time in which to make
his report. This was granted. If he
wants additional time at the next meet
ing he will probably receive 1t for the
commission is not disposed to hurry In
such matter. The boiler inspector may
have to wait months before he gets 9
chance to inspect the boilers. II he ever
gets that chance.
The petition Of NJ. lowering that the
boundaries Of fire district No. be con-
tracted to as to allow Of the erection OF
frame buildings along certain streets
was referred to q special committee
with instructions to visit the streets
designated in the petition and make q
personal examination Into the matter
It'll probable that the bound 6rtea Of the
district will be extended instead of con
ttanled, as several of tie u1omhern 81