The Portland daily press., 1901-01-19
Gives Mayor Control
Over the Chief.
The Chiefs Authority Absolute
With His Men.

Last evening the board Of mayor ana
aldermen held special meeting to con-
slider the order whi3h was introduced az
the last regular meeting TO reorganize the
fire Ciepartment. This order was tnen
IA pled and last evening on motion OF
Alderman Milliken 1t was voted to take
IL from the taEfs. Ii passed the order
was then to be sent to the Portland rep
reaeutatiyes in the legislature so that
efforts might be made to have 1t moor po-
rated into the charter of the oity.
Aldermen johnson and Frye were alb
sent.
The first section provides that the de-
partment shall consist OF chiefs deputy
ana such number of subordinate officials
as the city government may desermine.
The second section provides that the
deputy shall act in the place OF the CHIEF
who shall be the head OF the department
and the deputy shall be the second IN
power. The third section gives the chief
sole and absolute control OF the depart
ment and authority TO establish rules
subject to the approval OF the mayor.
The fourth section gives the chief power
TO purchase all the apparatus except that
he shall not spend more than $500 with
out the authority of the city Council ne
shall appoint and TX the term OF once OF
the mem beers OF the department. suDJaot
TO the approval of the mayor The hftn
section states that the chief shall be ap-
pointed by the mayor and may at any
time be removed by the mayor for suffl-
cient cause. The chief shall recommend
to the mayor soma person for appoint
ment as deputy chief subjsnt TO removal
by the mayor All the present officers
and members OF the department shall
continue to hold office for the full terms
for which they were elected or appointed
and all future appointments OF members
of the department shall be made by the
chief subject TO the approval of the
mayor, The sixth section removes all OF
the power and Authority now vested In
the board of engineers and transfers it to
the chief, The city council shall have
power to establish fire limits in the city.
Two OF the aldermen and three OF the
youncilmen shall constitute she COMMITTEES
on fire department which shall audit all
sccounts of the onief
Alderman Moulton moved that the
rder have a passage.
Alderman Gerrish was in favor of a
discussion of the sunjsct.
Alderman Thomas thought that the
mayor should have absolute power In the
appointm ant and rem oval or the chief.
He believed the clause "for sufficient
csu.e," should be stricken out.
Alderman Milltken thought this clause
should remain.
Alderman Gerrish said the clause
should be striker out so that the mayor
should be held personally responsible for
his selection Of a chief, Then Alderman
MIliiken spoke in favor of this clause be-
ing retained. There might be a chief ap-
pointed who would be full OF reform ideas
80 rules would be passed that would not
be of benefit to the department.
Relative to removals this proposed or
der holds the chief responsible as It does
the mayor. There should be an auditing
committee and this has been provided for
in the order.
Alderman Drisooll could not see that
there was much difference between this
order and the original order. He thought
this should not be pushed through toe
quickly and said he was opposed &c
giving so great power, as the order pro-
vided to any one man. This responsible
ty should not be- placed on the mayor.
a., ND thfa
should come from a commi ttee.
Alderman Milliken thought ths chief
should be given some power and took CO.
casion in the course OF extended remarks
TO gay that there we're men at the pre- sent
time In the fire department who would
not walk fast enough to keep up with a
funeral procession. This order VIII I'M
prove the fra department and give the
chief some power commensurate with the
duties OF his position. Ii the ohlsf should
find any OF his appointees incompetent he
should have the right to discharge them
Alderman Gsrrish asked for an expla,
nation OF the fifth section. The mayor
read this section and then Alderm an
Gerrish thought 1t was rather peculiar
way in which 1t had been drawn up. This
section sssmsd very incomplete.
Alderman Thomas thought that the
best service could be rendered by having
one man, instead OF several men, respon
sible for the management OF the depart
ment.
Alderman MOulton spoke in praise Of
the order which ho thought had beer
improved by the amendments
Then 1t was voted TO substitute tn,
new draft for the old.
Alderman Thomas moved that, ''for
sufficient cause be removed from ths
80 -. -