The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-01
G. RUNGE WILL QUIT 4 ]
Agrees to Resign From the Fire
Department March +.
HE WILL THEN BE PENs1oNED
Han1ey Will he Promoted to BE First
Assistant Chief-Other
Changes.

! Fire Chief Canterbury and Assistant
| Chief Gus Runge have settled their diff
ferences outside of the city council They
have agreed that there is no chance for
their personal relations ever to be any
more harmonious than they are to-day,
ana that for their own peace Of mind.
leaving out the question of discipline and
efficiency of the fire department, they had
better part company at this time for good.
SO Canterbury's list of fire department
! employees will go to the council either to-
night or at the next meeting without the
name OF Gus Runge on it. the list to go
! into effect March 1. In the meantime
! Runge will send in his resignation, to take
erect on that date, and the same will be
| accepted promptly.
| Inls arrangement makes Runge eligible
1or pension from the time of his retire.
ment from the department until death, as
| ne Will have fulfilled the requirements as
| TO age and length of service on Feb. -.
| His pension will be $40 per month.
The vacancy made by Runge's resigna-
t1on will be filed by the promotion of
Second Assistant Chief Hanley. Third AS
slstant Chief Hernlund will be advanced
one peg and Fire Marshal Hill will step
Into his shoes. Canterbury will recon-
mend to the council to create the position
OF fourth assistant chief and if this is
done, Captain George Kehoe Of the head
quarters company, will be named for the
place. Captain C. W.: Ringer of engine
company No. II, located at Thrty-fift
street and Chicago avenue, is said to be
slated for Hills position.
The agreement for Runge to retire
from the department of his own volition
was made last night at a conference be-
tween him Ind his chief. Both had
sized up the situation in the council suffi-
GENTLY to show them that there was bit
ter tight ahead on the question OF the
confirmation Of any list that did not con-
tain Runge's name, with no certainty as
to the results. There was large ele-
ment in the council prepared to stand out
for Runge to the finish. They would have
held up the list indefinitely in Runge's be-
| half. On the other hand, others of much
influence in the council believe that so
long as the council had confidence enough
In Canterbury to elect him chief Of the
fire department, he is entitled to the
privilege of naming his subordinates.
They want an end Of the present inhar-
| monious relations in the department be-
tween the chief and his first assistant, and
they see no otheS way to get 1t than by
giving Canterbury free rein in the choice
of his assistants. They profess to believe
that discipline IN the department will be
better with Runge out of it, and as for
the effects on the efficiency of the depart
| ment in other ways, only time will tell.
In any event Canterbury will now have to
stand wholly on his own legs and take
all the responsibility.
1t is said that there will be some other
changes made in the personnel Of the de-
partment. Canterbury has tied himself up
pretty literally with promises to the al
dermen, according to reports, and in or
der to keep them to the letter he Will
have to drop considerable number Of the
present force. o' .- =
Gus Runge has been member of the
fire department for twenty-seven years
continuously and was chief Of the depart
ment for two years between Frank Stet-
sons terms. ~..s Hi"
He is SO years of age and enjoys the
reputation of being very skilful and
fearless fire fighter. His administration
of the department. as chief was not sue
cess from an executive standpoint, other
wise his abilities and popularity would
have kept him in the position indefinitely.
1t is understood that he has another
position in sight. .=