The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-06
SHAKE UP
IN fire
DEPART MENT
Capt. Atkins Reduced to Tho
Ranks -Othor Changes Made.
Letter Of Communication

Ever since the Gre department has been
I'm the hands OF the board OF fire COM
missioners there has been trouble at the
house Of Hook and Ladder Co, No. ., To-
Gated on Harrison street.
In fact there has been more trouble
there than at all the other houses put
together aud today the board made
changes OF 50 pronounced a character
that It is thought that an end has been
put 10 the turmoil
The changes came almost as COM
plete surprise, especially was il unex-
pected by the men who have been pro-
noted. These did not know OF the
changes until notified at , o'clock this af-
ternoon.
An this week the board prosecuted an
Investigation OF Capt. Frank r. Atkins
which was based upon charges preferred
by former member of the department
and OF Hook and Ladder No. ..
These included the destruction OF city
property. using hay instead OF straw for
bedding horses. and the use OF profane
and vulgar language I'm and about the
station
All the members OF the company testi-
fed during the inquiry and the board
found that each charge had been fully
sustained.
The following changes were therefore
announced the same TO take effect at s
O'Clock tonight
Capt. Frank r.. Atkins 60 be- reduced
from the position OF foreman TO the posi-
tion OF a private OF the first grade and
90 be transferred from Hook and Ladder
. TO Hose No. as hoseman.
Charles o. Messenger. assistant fore
man. To be reduced 10 private of the
first grade and transferred from Hook
and Ladder To Hook and Ladder as "A
ladderman.
Patrick c. Henry. transferred from
Hook and Ladder TO Engine Co. No.
10, as engine driver
Fred owens. transferred from Hook
and ladder to Hook and Ladder 2. as
driver.
Byron T. Keech, transferred from En-
gine co. No. 10, TO Hook and Ladder .,
as driver.
George A. Brown, transferred from
Hook and Ladder 2 10 Hose Co. 49, as
hoseman
Isaac w Wyatt transferred from Hose
10 TO Hook and Ladder ?, as ladderman.
Lieut. Thomas X. Gorton. promoted 10
hose foreman and transferred from Hose
3 TO Hook and Ladder No. 2.
Gilbert s. Inman, promoted 10 be as
sistant foreman and transferred from
Hook and Ladder : TO Hook and Ls~lder
No. 2.
Asa q. Davis of Hose 3, promoted 10 be
assistant foreman Of the same company.
SERVICE COMMENDED
The following communication was also
sent out this afternoon:
Mr. Frank Charlsworth, Engine Co. No.
IL:
Dear Sir--I have been directed by the
board OF fire commissioners TO express TO
YOU their high appreciation OF the brav-
cry shown by you In saving the life OF "a
child az the fire on the premises at No.
65 Florence street. on April Z. 1901.
The utter disregard exhibited by YOU
for your own safety and the efforts
which you put forth at the imminent
peril OF your life TO rescue "A helpless in
FAINT from a most horrible death merits
the warmest commendation and the
board gladly take this opportunity OF
placing on record their appreciation of
your heroic efforts
Your connection with the fire depart
nent although comparatively brief, has
been of sufficient duration 10 stamp YOU
az one who I'm every emergency is both
quick To sec and prompt TO act, and the
protection of the lives and property Of
our citizens cannot better he intrusted
than TO men, who, like yourself. have in
time Of danger no thought or self, but
promptly and bravery race every peru
i'm order 10 perform the duty with which
they are charged
Your record is one OF which you may
well he proud and the city which YOU
serve is indeed fortunate ia having at it's
command one who has faithfully dis
charged every trust and fearlessly faced
every danger
Extending 10 you I'm .ehalf Of the board
the most sipcere sympathy for the intu-
IA hat pa1 on f4ta
ing vou a speedy recovery | remain yours
truly, JOHN w MORROW.
Cleric of Board of Fire Commissioners.