The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-25
FIRE DEPT, ROW
NUTLEY STIRRED BY NEW
REVELATIONS.
Fire Commissioners VIII Investigate
why Chief stager Took Fire Box Key
Away from Henry Knabb, Jr.

NutIev Is somewhat excited today over a
part of the proceedings Of the Nutley
Town Council last night when it developed
that former Chief OF Police Henry Knabb,
jr., had been relieved several weeks ago
of his fire box key by Chief Henry H.
Stager, after an incenjiary fire in the
Rusby flats in Franklin avenue, Nutley.
where the former chief resides.
No accusations were made. but the In
ference was the same to all when Chief
Stager's letter explaining his action was
read.
The whole matter will be thresheds out
at a meeting Of the fire committee next
Tuesday night. In the meantime there
may be sensational, developments and It IL
said that Avondale Hose Company, Of
which the former chief OF police Is a
member. may play a prominent part In the
affair.
Chief staser's action In taking away
Knabb's key, while known to the mem
bers Of Avondale Hose Company and nos
sibly to the members of the Council, was
a surprise to others present at the meet
ing last night. The first intimatIon they
had Of such action was when George
Hawkesworth, president OF the AyondaIo
Company, addressed Mayor Brown In be-
half of his company and asked for an ex-
PLANTATION of a letter received from Chief
Stager In reply to a letter from the COM
pany asking why Knabb had been relieved
OF his key after the fire In the Rusby
flats. The chiefs letter was submitted to
Clerk Frank l.. Rusby and read.
1t was In effect that it was impossible
to give the reasons for withholding the
key. 1t intimated that charges had been
preferred before the fire commissioners
which would probably lead to an expul-
sion. The letter went on to state that
Knabb knew the reason why his key had
been taken away, and If he felt so dis
posed he could explain. Furthermore, the
cendiary fires. and the writer had deter
mined to stop them. He thought he had
done 50.
Mayor Brown inquired if the matter had
been referred to the fire commissioners.
In reply Mr.. Hawkesworth said he had
not been able to ascertain when the fire
commissioners met. He added that if
there were any charges against any mem
Der of Avondale Hose Company, the com
pany wanted to know 1t at once, 80 thai
proper action could be taken.
Mayor Brown did not appear anxious for
a public discussion Of the matter. and
referred it TO the fire commissioners. 1t
will be taken UP next Tuesday night.
Chief stager. when seen after the meet
ing. was reluctant to discuss the affair,
preferring, he said, to leave the fire COM
mfssioners to make a thorough investiga-
tion. Enough was learned, however, to
indicate that the chief was not wholly
satisfied with the explanation made by
Knabb in reference to the fire In the house
In which the latter resides. Knabbs fire
key. It was said, was found in the fire
box after the fire, and was withheld by
Chief Stager.
1t is alleged that there was no necessity
of sending In an alarm.
President Hawkesworth was accompanied
to the meeting by nearly all of the mem
beers Of Avondale Hose Company, all Of
whom feel deeply the practical suspension
of Knabb, who is a charter member of the
company. and has always been regarded
as an efficient member. For several years
eral months ago.
The Nutiey fire department has been
troubled greatly for almost a year over
the incendiary fires which have occurred
principally In the Avondale section. I'm
successful efforts were made to nab the
f%rebpgs, and it is stated that the as
sistance Of Prosecutor Young was sought.
Chief Stager's letter last night was the
first public intimation of any trouble exist
ing between the. chief and Knabb, and it
caused a sensation in the town,