Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-11-15
What the Chief Thinks.
Corvallis, Or. Nov. IA, 1901.

Corvallis, Dr., Nov. IA, 1871.
EDITOR GAZETTE = Please allow US
space to state some facts concerning the
Fire Department of this city. Some
time ago some members OF the depart
ment spoke 10 me about taking some ac-
tio.r to prohibit the Social Club from
holding dances in the Firenaa's hall, l
then stated that VAS williug to do
whatever was necessary and in my power
providing such action was approved by
majority of our members. | advised
that suitable resolutions. covering the
matter, he introduced at n regular meet
ing of the department, and, if there ap-
proved, there was no doubt, but that the
city conncil would act in accordance
with the wish expressed.
At our last regular meeting no such
resolutions were introduced, although
learned after the meeting had adjourned
that resolutions had been gotten up, and
the same are now in the hands of the
secretary. I was requested by several
members to call special meeting of tie
department to act on this matter. [
would net do so without the regular
form being complied with-namely, that
an application signed by at least seven
members be secured. This application
was handed to me later, sigued by four
teen members of the department. l de-
clined to call such a meeting in the
usual way by posting notices, but in
structed our secretary to notify each
member by mail, and he at once pro-
decided to do SO. Hewever, before he
: had time to write out and mail these
notices, several of those that had sigued
the requisition came to me and wished
to have the call revoked, and after due
consideration, did So. then learned
that petition would be circulated fol
signatures asking the city council to pro-
hibit the Social Club using the hall for
dances.
On Monday evening a member of the
fire department handed me paper ad-
dressed to the city council. I looked it
over and handed it back. I asked him
how many he could get to sign this
paper. His answer was, ST can get lots
of Them" I then supposed it was his
intention to proceed to do so. I was
surprised to hear paper somewhat sim
liar read at the council meeting and
signed "Several Members of the Depart
ment."
wish to say that do not approve of
any such proceedings. No member of
the department has any right or author
ity to address such a paper to the city
council, or any where else. They have
a perfect right to do so, provided they
attach their names to the same. 1 am
sorry any unpleasantness should arise,
az would like 10 have harmony in the
department if possible. It is very i'm
portant that We should maintain an eff
cient fire department.
By the action of the council at its last
meeting, the control of the fremans' hall
has been assumed entirely by them.
This relieves the fire department from
any responsibility in the matter, and
any individual or organization wishing
to use the same must secure permission
from the city to do so.
| 1, however, believe that every fire de-
partmsnt should own and control its
own hall, and it would have been much
better for our department if it had re-
manned separate and Independent from
the city in this, matter. AS it is, I be-
lieve that the action of the council was
the best for all concerned.
Respectfully,
F. P. SHEAsGREEN.
Chief G. F. d.