The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-04-05
he was in the head and how he did not

er. and Mr.. Clemens could not agree.
~ don't propose to be bulldoZed,' the
recorder declared. Just what this had
reference to was not disclosed.
NEvE RA CANDIDATE.
Colonel Hitchcock was seen at his
office in the Commonwealth building
shortly after he came from city hall.
Yes. I have been appointed director OF
public safety. and have accepted.
took the oath of Office and my bond is
now being prepared. ] want YOU TO
say for me, though. that / only accept
ed when it was no longer possible that
Mr.. Clemons would be the appointee.
The office came to me without solicit
tation, and as I stated in The Tribune
yesterday. was never a candidate for
the position. There were no conditions
attached to my appointment. | told
the recorder that I would expect to be
free to conduct the department as l
deemed best. and the recorder assured
ME that ! would be at liberty to do
this. ] would not accept if there were
any strings attached to my appoint-
ment.'
Mr.. Hitchcock was reminded OF MS
recent criticisms of Chief Iizelmann.
and asked if he would retain him as
head of the fire department To this
he made answer that since making
those illusions to Chief Iizelmann he
had learned that the chief was sick on
the occasion referred to and that it
would not be fair to hold a. man to
strict accountability when he is sick.
He further said that he would make
no removals until he had found out for
himself that the incumbent should be
removed He would give every man
full opportunity. he said. to prove him
self capable. Honesty and compet-
cncy are the only two qualifications /
will require" he added.
Colonel Hitchcock is a lawyer by
profession. but devotes most of his time
to insurance business, being the head
OF the local Fire Underwriters asso-
citation. OF late. however, he has de-
voted much Of his time to the work of
reform being carried on by the Munich
pal league. of which he is prosecuting
attorney and the Mems union, OF
which he is one Of the most active
members.
Before eating his supper last night,
Director Hitchcock qualified by pre-
senting his bond to the recorder. and
Immediately thereupon he appointed
and swore in Chief Zizelmann and
Chief Robling as the respective heads
Of the bureaus Of fire and police.
WHAT HE SAID.
The fact that Colonel Hitchcock
agreed to keep Chief Zizelmann at
the head OF the fire department.
makes interesting and apropos the fol-
lowing excerpts from the Tribune's re-
port of the board of trade meeting Of
Monday. February Is, last
Most OF the time of last nights regular meet.
ing OF the board OF trade devoted to dis
| cission Of the need OF recognizing the lire de-
pirtnlent IL the general opinion that the
department sorely in need Of reoggLiiiziug
and that the thittcnden ordinance. providing
for paid department. should be passed.
Colonel +. l.. Hitchcock. who is member Of
ihc Underwriters association. opened the dScr-
sion by saying that the need OF a reorganization
OF the fire department wa, evidenced by the
cent disastrous coniiag,aion on Lackawanna
avcInc and that he did not know but That the
notorious manner in which this fire demon
strated the ineffcencv OF the fire. department
would result in the rates Of nsuraucc being
raised.
what else can yol cNpeot." quclied Colonel
Hitchcock. "Thcrc was fire that caused tcnI
Il quarter of 4 million dollars loss and three
fomrths OF this loss due to the incihcency Of
tho fire department.
Colonel Hitchcock WAS amazed he declared.
TO learn that the mayor was lobbying against
paid fire department. as the mayor had repeat
cdly assured him he was heartily in favor OF it.
Il
Colonel iIitciico<k-''l an, constrained to say
that it (tlc fire depaitmcnD is sadly in need Of
reorganization. | am told that during the prog.
rcss Of the recent big fire there were more hit.
men i'll the adjacent saloons than could be Souud
working about the burning buildings An oiicer
OF the fire department told me half Of his men
were half drunk and that most Of them had
wliskey hotties in their pockets. When riis
officer gave an order to his men. so he tells me.
he was repeatedly told to go TO hell"
Il
Some ono at this junc,ure made the remark
that there was rumor that the Chief of the fire
department was firing the Nay Aug steamer dur
ing the progress of the big fire.
That's right" declared Colonel Hitchcock.
II saw him at it, and eSpostulated with him.
Ii those boys had leader that day the fire could
have been confined to the Ilenwood building
WHY HE WENT
Mr. Clemons was deposed because he
would not consent to the retention Of
Chief Zizemanr.
A further attestation of the fact that
Recorder Moir does not allow that Mr..
Clemons was ever, even for a day, di-
rector of public safety was found in
his honor's communications to select
council, last night, in which he mes
saged his appointments. No mention
whatever was made of Mr.. Clemons.
The communication follows:
10 the Honorable, the Select and Common
Councils:
Gentlemen: In accordance with the REQUIRE.
| nlents OF the city charter, herewith appoint
| the following gentlemen to ill the various cx-
ccutvc offices. They have duly filed their bonds,
| and have entered upon their duties:
Director OF department of public safety, Col.
+. l.. Hitchcock.
Director OF department Of public works Hon.
John H. Roche.
Director of department OF charities and correc.
| ton. Frederick Fuller
Director of department OF delinquent taxes,
George w. Jenkins
Department OF law, George NJ. Watson, esq.
| Department OF assessors Elias Morris, C;wym
| Jones' Philip Rinsand, Jay G, Seamans and
| iLewellyn \, Roberts.
Sinking fund commission, James A. Lansing,
| Ebenezcr Williams, Hon. ". l.. Connell, Col.
George Sanderson and George w. Frable.
| Police magistrates Alderman W. s. Millar.
| Edward Fidrr, Bezaleel Davies, c. storr and
| John r. Howe Respectfully,
lanes Mor, City Recorder.
The communication was referred to a
| special committee. on motion of Mr..
Vaughan, because, as he said, "by ac-
| cepting the communication we would