The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-22

providing for the reorganization of the
| fire department. reckoned without Jo-
seph oliver, the gentleman from the
| Fiftee nth, who was the third member
of the special committee appointed to
consider this question. AS conse-
quence, Mr.. Oliver presented a minor
ity report last night, in the shape of
a second ordinance providing for
| radically different plan OF reorganiza-
ton from the one proposed in Messrs.
| Chittenden and Vaugnans measure,
which was also introduced last night.
The provisions of the last named
| measure have already been described
| in these columns. While Chief Walker
is in favor of certain portions OF this
measure, il is understood that he Is
in entire accord with all of the bro
| visions of Mr.. divers ordinance, the
last NAMED gentleman and himself be-
ing both members of the Columbia
company.
The powers conferred upon the chief
are practically the same as in the
other measure, which, to differentiate,
will be termed the Chittender-
Vaughan ordinance. He is to
be appointed by the mayor with
the confirmation of select coun-
Gil, and his salary is fixed at $1,000
year. He is to have entire control
of all the property of the department
and is to have the power to transfer
men, horses 3nd apparatus.
PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS.
He is authorized TO publish on the
first Monday of every April full speci-
ficatons for the purchase of all sup
plies and apparatus, but this purchas-
ing power is not placed in his hands.
as it is in the Chittenden-
Vaughan measure. He is per-
mitted to make small purchases,
but not all. He is required to furnish
bond of $1,000 for the faithful per-
formancc of his duties. and must turn
over to the city treasurer all com
missions. discounts and presents, and
the proof of the receipt, and withhold
ing of any such shall constitute a mall
feasance in Office.
The ordinance provides that the de-
partment shall consist of a chief, four
assistant chiefs, sixteen companies and
captains of various companies, perma-
nent men, bunk men and call men.
The city is to be divided into four
districts, each to be in charge of q
district chief at a salary of $500 a
year. These assistant chiefs are to aid
the chief in the discharge of his duties,
and, under the chiefs direction, are to
have complete charge of all men,
horses and apparatus in their respec-
tive districts. There is no provision
whatever in the Chttenden-Va Vaughan
| ordinance for assistant chiefs.
The appointment of men for the var
ious companies is nearly the same as
in the Chittenden- Vaughan ordinance
7 and is as follows: Steamer company
five permanent men and six bunk ol
call men: chemical company, four per
manent mem hose companies, three
permanent men and six bunk or cal
= men; hook and ladder company, five
permanent men and four bunk or cal
men; combined chemical and hos'
companies, four permanent men 9rC
six bunk or call men,"
CALL AND BUNK MEN.
y The call men are to respond to al
= fires and are to be paid at the rate of
n cents an hour for all time actually eX
pended at all fires, the time to be com
= puted from the ringing of the alarm
to their return to THE house. The bunl
men are to be all call men sleeping il
the engine house and their compensa
tion is to be so cents an hour.
The chief is empowered to select from
the permanent men of each compan
one person who is to be the captain
who is to have personal charge of a.
city property in his company house
and who is to be held responsible 70
the maintenance of order at the engin
house and for the discipline of the me
of his company at fires.
The salary of permanent men is fixe
~ at $72O a year or $50 month. Th
Vaughan Chittanden measure leave
=, the salaries as they are at present
," The ordinance provides for the dts
banding of all companies, but no tile
n for this is fixed.
= At last nights meeting Of seleC
- council when the two reports were be
fore the house, Mr.. Chittenden state
% that the majority ordinance will GU
nj down the present fire department eS
penditure of $4,000 a year to 400
IN while the oliver ordinance conten
tn plates increasing the expenditures b
about $3O,OOO without providing an
et means to meet the increase
'rt Speaking of his Investigations of tn
fire department, since his appointmer
cr on the special committee Mr.. Chitter
den made this sensational statemen
II must say that our fire departmer
ny is not an organization. 1t is a mo-
~ pure and simple. A business ma
would not tolerate it for a minute
ng it was an affair he had privately
A., deal with"
" Mr. oliver followed with a bri
- speech in defense of his minority r.
a. port but was silent as to the startlir
rs. allegation of his fellow-committeema
regarding the lack of proper govern
ment in the department.
The Vaughan ordinanc
Mr.. oliver contended, aimed at Il
al abolition of the volunteer departme
and the substitution of something fl
less efficient. Such action would
ct, retrogression, he thought and the pc
n pie of this city want nothing but pro
on ress.
er on motion of Mr. Chttednen both r
at ports were referred to the fire depar
at ment committee without instruction.