The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-12
Thomas f. Barrett Promoted to First
Assistant Chief and Gustav Ernst
to Second Assistant.
KEACH'S DEMAND IS HEEDEI
DICTATOR SWALLOWS REPUBLICAN
RATHER THAN BARRETT.
The Mayor Wishes to Retain Sup.
port of So-CaIIed independents
Other City Affairs.

Charles E. Coots was yesterday reap
pointed chief Of the fire department. The
announcement of Coots's reappointment
was made by the Board of Pdblic Safety
early in the afternoon, but Mayor Holtz-
man really appointed Coots. The an
nouncement Of Coots's reappointment was
made after President Madden and the other
members of the Board of Safety had had
a long conference with the mayor.
Thomas Taggart did not want Charles
e. Coots retained as chief of the fire de-
partment. it is understood. and his reap
pointment is regarded by many Democrats
and Republicans as a cut at Taggart by
Mayor Hoffman. Taggart wanted Thomas
F. Barrett to be made chief.
In r~eappointing Coots Mayor Hoffman
is thought to have obeyed orders from
James l.. Reach. Reach does not like
Thomas +. Barrett, and ne urged Mayor
Hoffman not to make Barrett chief. To
try to square matters with Taggart, for
whom Mayor Hoffman has a great po-
htical regard. the mayor promoted Barrett
from second assistant chief to first assist
ant. This appointment was also announced
yesterday. Gustav Ernst was promoted
from captain to second assistant chief to
succeed Barrett. Morris Haley was pro-
NOTED from fireman to captain to succeed
Ernst. John Glazier, who is regarded gen.
orally as one or the most competent men
in the department, was reduced from first
assistant chief to fireman. 1t is said
Glazier will not remain in the department
long.
In ~reappointing Coots Mayor Hoffman
not only hardened to the demands OF
Reach, who, it is said, would rather have
a Republican at the head of the depart
mani tho orcnt hui he n1E0 ri1nl
the sentiment of many of the best business
men and citizens generally in favor OF
Coots's retention as chief.
There Is political significance not yet
touched upon in this appointment. BY re-
tanning Coots as head of the fire depart
ment Mayor Hoffman hopes to hold the
favor of the so-called Independent Repub-
licans who have brought pressure of much
mayor, OF course, expects to hear a great
howl from the more partisan members
OF the Democratic household, who say
the new administrator should not depart
from the tim~e-honored cry, ITO the victor
belong the spoils." But the favor the may
or counts on securing from Independent
Republicans and nonpartisans he expects
TO be far greater than the disfavor he
will create within his own party. Mayor
Hoffman figures that he made himself
strong with Taggart and his followers by
Taggart selected for those places, and now
as a second adroit move, he thinks that
he will make himself stronger than he has
been with the independent Republicans, So
called, and nonpartisans.
The appointment of a chief of the fire de-
partment has caused the mayor more trou-
bic and worry than any of his other ap-
pointments. When he decided upon the
men he would put on the Board of Works
and the Board of Safety that was a sim
pie matter compared with his last appoint
ment. The members of the Board of Works
and the Board of Safety-that is, two OF
each b~oard-would have to be recognized
party men, of course. But solving the
problem, WHO shall / put at the head OF
the fire department ?" the mayor found to
be a much harder and more complex un-
dertaking.