Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-08-28
Investigation by the Mayor.


A number of persons assembled 10 the
Mayor's Office in the City Hall at eight
o'cI ,ck asst night to hear the investiga-
tioa by MAYOR Paff of the printed report
that Chief Pettey bad used his Official
signature in asking the different IRE
INSURANCE companies represented IN the
CITY for contributions for horse for his
use in going to fires. Chief Pettey, who
was present, was represented by Mr.. ).
q. Brent.
The Mayor, 10 opening the investiga-
zion. stated he had learned through the
newspapers that the Chief had used his
official capacity in asking aid from Ere
insurance companies for the purchase OF a
horse, aud il such was the case 1t certain
Iy brought discredit aud censure upon
the city. lie then read the article print
ed in the Gazette on August IL which
was copied from the lnsuranc, Review
of New York, which criticised Alexan-
dria in allowing its Chief to apply for aid
1rOm fire insurance companies.
The Mayor asked the Chief If be had
done as the articles had stated.
The Chief, in answer, stated That he
had written to several of the insurance
companies represented in this city, ask
ing for aid in purchasin horse TO
assure his quick arrival on the scene OF
a FIRE. He had received few answers.
one Of the letters containing check for
five dollars. sent by Mr.. Justas Schnei-
der. local agent, which be sent back
10 that gentleman with word thal ne
(the ChieDintended keeping the pres
s.nt horse until after the coming winter,
AT that time he was OF the opinion That
he had not violated any ordinance
and still was aGder the impression that
he had done nothing wrong. Chiefs OF
other cities, he said, received money
from insurance companies, and he cited
an instance where Chief with WHOM
he was acquainted received 5000 ayear'
for the same purpose foF which he made
annIieStion. He thought THE considera-
ZION was due him after 4S years OF active
service. The Chief then enumerated the
nauy large fires the city experienced
nreyious to his entering upon the duties
of his Office and stated that, liz bis opin-
ION this was dpe to his predecessors not
having a ERE cart ia order to get on the
scane of conAagration in time. During
ais jncumbency no big fires had resulted,
owing to his quick response to alarms.
An conclusion, the Chief said that De did
not want this horse for his personal use,
a,pt for the benefit of the city, aud that
when he was out OF the city the acting
Chiefhad the use of the fire cart II be 30
desired it,
Upon being questioned. the Chief
stated that the first horse was given him
Inv Mr.. f. NJ. Hill; the second was
bought bv aim for $3.50, friends conirls-
uting $2S, and the present one he Put-
chased for $50
He had, While a member Of the Hy-
draulion company, paid his own money
for taking hose back to TIE engine house
He had never asked for uniform, bet
had purchased one upon being elected to
office This no other Chief OF the Alex
andria fire department had done.
He had never asked Council icr horse
The Mayor then read petition dated
April IL, 1905, 10 which the Chief had
asked Council to increase his salary 10
$3.50
MIR. Brent said there had been no in-
crease in salary, but that the Chief had
been allowed $3.50 a year tor stabling
his horse; that his salary was only 500 Il
year. la his opinion there was DO law
or ordinance the Chief had violated and
no personal gain could have resulted from
abe application for contributions
The Mayor sisted that he differed
with Mr. Brent, aud that owing to the
Chiefs long and valuable service he
would let him off with II reprlmand, and
hoped that repetition OF the act
would not come before him again.
The investigation then closed.
After the investigation the Chief sp'
nroA ched the Mayor and eEtendei lis
hand Al the same time thanking hun tor
the courteous manner in which he had
been treated. The Mayor replied by
telling the chief he thought as much as
ever of him, and hoped similar incl
.cident would never occur again.