The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1905-10-12
BARR out FOR GOOD
Chief Of Fire Department Gives up
His Position and Demands
immediate Release
HENRY ISERMANN is NAMED
Will act as Chief of the Fire Depart
ment Until the Fire and Police Com
mission Can Elect Successor to
the Veteran Fire Chief


A crisis has been reached in the
chickering's between Chief of the Fire
Department James S.. Barr and the
representatives. of the city, and as a
result of this crisis the name Of Chief
Barr has been stricken from the city
pay roll. Mr.. Barr voluntarily de-
manded an immediate release on
Monday, and Chris Schend president
OF the board of fire and police COM
missiopers named Henry Isermann of
the central station as temporary chief
pending the election of chief which
will probably take place late. this
afternoon.
The action of Chief Barr in demand
ing an immediate release from his
labors came as a surprise in official
circles as it was gener1y believed that
ne would remain in office until after
the first of next December. This
would be the end of the year for the
chief and it had been agreed that he
should remain till thatsstime pending
the action Of the council in regard to
the increase in salary for the office.
Monday, however, Chief Barr went to
Chairman Schend and stated that he
would not serve the city another
minute. Under the circumstances
nothing was left to be done but the
immediate appointment of temporary
chief and Mr.. Isermann misplaced in
charge.
The sudden retirement of Chief
Barr has caused quite sensation in
official circles but it seems to be i'm
possible to find any one who will give
out the reason for his sudden action.
Mr.. Barr could not be found about
the city today and Chairman,iSchend
who seems to be in possession of the
facts declined to discussI the matter.
eff the facts are as Chief Barr,stated"
said Mr.. Schend this morning, 81 do
not blame him for his hasty action
as there is little honor 1eftsifor him in
holding the Office under the Ucircum-
stances"
1t is limited that Chief Barr has
heard rumors of political agreement
by which he was to be removed from
Office but if such is the fact the real
facts in the case can not be found. 1t
is stated on authoritysthat the action
of the council in declining to elect
Chief Barr as member of the board
of water commissioners swas..''not re-
sponsib1e for his actions in2giving up
his Office. There seems to;be no can
didate in the field except Mr.. Iser-
mann and he will probably be elected
chief without opposition. Mr.. Iser-
mann has been captain of the central
station and assistant chief of the de-
partment for many years and is a
capable man from every point of
view. He was drilled in the work
under Chief Barr ard if he isgse1ected
as the successor of the chief there
will be little change in the conduct of
the department.
It is probable that the retirement of
Chief Barr will mean the kne1l Of the
volunteer department in Kenosha as
steps are already being taken to do
away with the volunteers and secure
an entire paid force for the city. It
is understood that the mastering out
of the old guard is now favored by
nearly all of the members of the de-
partment and this action will meet
with favor among the members of the
police and fire commission and with
the city council. It is not probable
however that any formal steps will be
taken to muster out the volunteers
until after the next annual meeting
of the volunteer department at which
time it is thought that the mer them
selves will recommend that the coun-
Gil take this action.
Many people see move tosplace the
fire department in politics and it is
feared that such an action will SELF
ously effect the work of the depart
ment. In past years Kenosl1a has
been known as city with one Of the
finest fire departments sin the state
and any move that would belitt1e this
should be met with
united opposition from all citizens re-
CARELESS of party.