Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-07
Embroglio in Fire Department.

Embroglio in Fire Department.
The friction between the Board OF Fire
Wardens and members of the Hydraulion
Fire Company is still in the acute stage.
The company is showing its disapproval
of the action of the wardens in electing
Mr.. Julian BalleDger driver Of the hose
wagon instead of Mr. George Cogan,
who had been recommended by the COM
pany. A meeting of the Fire Wardens
was held last night for the purpose OF
receiving committee from the fire COM
pany who were to fully state their griev-
ance to the board and urge upon them
the annullment of their action of last
Tuesday night in electing Mr.. Ballenger.
The committee consisted of Messrs. NJ.
B. Harlow, R. f. Gronau, H. A. Down
ham, E. w. Starnell and w. w. Bal
lenger. The conference lasted over an
hour and was at times represented as
having been spirited. When it finally
dissolved, the wardens stated that
they would submit their decision in
writing today to Mr.. Harlow, the presl-
dent Of the volunteer organization. The
contention of the fremen was that
drivers and other paid employees should
be chosen from the ranks of the com
pany as reward for their services.
Mr.. Harlow presented the company's
view of the matter, and said that should
the wardens persist in their determlna-
ton to make their action in the selection
of Mr.. Ballenger as driver Of the hose
wagon permanentin deface of the wishes
of the company, the precedent thus set
would disrupt the volunteer fire depart
ment, as other companies would natural
ly be in sympathy with the Hydraulion
and hold meetings at which protests
would be entered.
The other members Of the company
spoke to the same effect, and at times
the colloquy grew exciting. !
The wardens with one accord stated
that the election Of Mr. Ballenger could
not be rescinded in any legal manner.
At the close of the conference the
committee was told that the wardens
would communicate their decision today
in writing to Mr. Harlow, and this after
noon Mr.. @. j. w. Summers, secretary
of the board, sent the following after 1t
had been duly signed by each member
of the board
Alexandria, Va, Aug. 7, 1903.
Mr.. NJ. B. Harlow, President OF the Hydraul-
ion Fire Company:
Dear Sir-We have considered the request
Of your company to remove Mr.. Julian Bal
lenger from the position Of driver of the hose
wagon. but being satisfied that we are not
authorized by law TO remove him from the
position. we must decline to take any further
action in the premises. (Signed)
c. j. w. SUMMERS,
r. 4. MYERS,
w. IL. MELCHOIB,
NJ. L. RISHEILL.
There is considerable talk on the
street concerning the unpleasantness be-
tween the wardens and the members OF
the Hydraulion Company, and many
radical expressions are uttered. Mr. +.
w. Starnell, who was member OF tie
committee who waited upon the wardens,
said today that the election Of Mr.. Bal
lenger against the protest of the COM
pany would result in the withdrawal OF
most members from the Hydraulion
Company and that other companies OF
the city would resort to the same meas
ure in order to show their resentment OF
the action of the wardens.
Mr. Harlow in an interview today
said a meeting of the Hydraulion Com
pany would be held tonight, when the
of the wardens would be
laid before it. He further stated that
the other companies Of the city would be
asked to appoint committees to act IN
concert with that OF the Hydraulion IN
order that the matter can be further
pushed as the Wardens decision affect
all companies alike.