The Portland daily press., 1901-02-08
Senator Virgin Asks Friends of
Bill Questions.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.l

Augusta, February 7.--Portland was
represented here today by delegation
of fire lighters and others Interested
in the tire department, who came to at
tsnd the hearing on the bill for the reor-
ganization OF that branch of the munich
pal government. In the Portland dele
CATION were Chief Engineer EIdridge.
Scott Wilson, Esq., Edgar Il. Rounds.
Frank B. Moody, l.. A Gcuoy and otn-
ers
Mr. Wilson addressed the committee
de said that the city OF Portland Is, as
a matter OF fact, running its tire dspart-
ment under the old statutory provision
In relation to fire wards, etc. In the
charter OF 1855, the only reference TO the
fire department. Is one giving control Of
Il to the city council under the law.
So as matter OF fact. we have the spscta-
Gle of the largest city in the state rum
ming its fire department under laws
passed over 40 years ago.
Mr.. Wilson explained the present orga-
nization OF the department. and said
that the diniculty with the department
as il now exists Is largely with the diff
Guilty in removing inefficient men. The
fact that the heads of the department.
are subject TO election each year, gives
politics prominent part in tine manage
ment OF the department. The fact that
removals of certain members may be
made only by the same power which
chooses the chief, has caused trouble Men
who should have been removed have been
able to keep their places by the use Of
Political influence. The difficulty in
making removals has resulted only re-
Gently in the practical reinstatement OF
two men whom It was sought to remove.
This pending bill provi1e for chief
and an s'stAnt chief. The chief Is given
control OF his men and may make re2ula-
tions subject to the approval OF the
mayor. Such rules ara nov made by
the board of engineers. Yhs chief ia Civ
en- the right to make purchases. The
chief ia TO be appointed by the mayor
and may be removed by the mayor for
cause. Now the question has come up
and been discussed generally as to how
long a term should be provided for the
chief. Into this discussion has entered
the desire to get the department out OF
politics. Now the ohief must go every
year to the city cruncil and the result
mas besn that every year there has tesn
pull hauling, and there is four months
OF turmoil In the department. Ii the
department Is to be taken out OF poll
tics as far as possible, he should be re-
lieved from this necessity. So 1t was
finally determined TO provide for his ap-
poiniment during good behavior with
the Mayor having the power of removal.
Senator Virgin asked II there was
anything in the bill to prevent the
chief making a tremendous political
power OF the office.
MIR. Wilson said he did not know of
anyway to provide against such a con-
tingency arising.
Senator Weeks-Do you think Demo-
cratic mayor would remove your chief,
II elected?
Mr.. wilson, don't think tne gentle
man just nominated by the Portland
Democrats would. Some might do so.
Senator VirGin--And vice versa If con-
1itions were the opposite.
Resuming his explanation OF the bill,
Mr.. Wilson said that the deputy chief
was to be appointed by the mayor upon
the Recommendation OF the chief. Other
members OF the department were TO be
appointed and removed by the chief sub
jeot to the approval of the mayor SO that
in sense the mayor has this control. The
bill creates fire department committee
of the city council aud it is one Of the
dutias of this committee TO audit the ac-
counts of the chief,
In answer to questions, Mr.. Wilson
said that the chief difficulty now sxDeri-
enced Is to remove men. There are mem