Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-22
James Devine viii Head Fire De-
partment as Chief Once
More.
ODD POLITICAL FIGHT IS ON.
Contest Being Waged Between Brans-
ford and 'Amercinn" Leaders
1t Abuses and Instructs.
4 HID vAIL AND CROSBY

~
Fire CHIEF Charles T Vail and his
assistant chief Captain Byron Crosby,
will be dismissed for the good of the
service" to night at the meeting OF the
city council James Devine, former
chief, will be appointed to succeed
Vail and WILL himself select Crosby's
successor. Though many times repeat
ed by the American ring, the
declaration that Fire Chief C. 7. Vail
is n good fire chief and that he will
stay in the department. in view of
Saturdays action by Mayor Bransford
just prior to his departure for the west
coast, will appear to all with little to
warrant belief Mayor Bransford was
very kind to both men, for on Satur-
day he offered them chance to resign.
Both refused to do so. The mayor
took the alternative afforded him and
good of the service" to his secretary
and it will go before the council to-
night. And 1t will be approved.
When the bond ordinance was pass
ed. the mayor traded" to Black and
Wood and the approval will follow, Just
as the mayors letter followed eau
Gus of American" patriots last Friday
OF course, the naming of Crosbys
successor Will be regulated by the
movement of some of the smaller
levers In the American machine, but
Devine will meet little trouble in that
quarter, as the view now presents
itself
How serious is the fight now open
ed In the American" party? The
question is being asked around town by
those interested in political events,
and the conclusion Is being reached
that election time Is surely coming by
the signs of the times Just as the
American patriots had to relieve
Sheets from his position after he was
found out preceding previous cleo
ton, so now the pressure against Fire
Chief Vail and the departments in
competence Is being felt
A formal charge is under investiga-
ton concerning both Chief Vail and
Crosby. They are alleged to have re-
ceived $40 commission for purchas-
ing fire wagon from the Consolidat-
ed wagon and Machine Co, or at least
to have attempted to receive the $40
each.
Grant Hampton. according to the
data brought out in an investigation
by Mayor Bransford. appeared at the
City and County building with a $40
check made out to the treasurer, stat
ing that there had been an overcharge
of 500 on a wagon sold to the fire de-
partment, which he was anxious to re-
fund. II developed that $40 check
had been drawn in favor OF j, d. Har-
rison, cashier, to be turned over to II.
II. Peterson salesman, and by him
split up between Vail and Crosby for
buying the wagon of that particular
firm. Both the treasurer and salesman
denied that any money had ever been
turned Vail mr. IN
check has not been produced in evil
denec.
Walls APPOINTMENT.
The appearance of Vail at the head
of the department was a direct re-
suit of the Lippman policy of making
the administration q party machine,
and running the government strictly
for party benefit ignoring the public
welfare The immediate result was
that the city had to begin to pay for
the training of number of new fire.
men, while there We're on the list of
discharged largo number of old men.
whose training had already been paid
for.
Mayor Bransford has wanted to get
rid OF Vail ever since the Redman fire
became the first big toll to be paid by
the people for the prevailing "Ameri-
can" policy, and he has been fought in
-
cle' with its big club methods
Losing the fight at first. the may
or has now tried his power against
that of the elmer circle" with the case
of attempted graft to back him up.
The question of whether the fire de-
partmert should be run for the city or
the party has long been prominent and
the new appointee. James Devine. is an
old fireman OF long experience at the
head of the department, and in under
positions working up to this position.
The first candidate of the fire insur-
ance officials and Of Mayor Bransford
for the place was w. H. Bywater, and
the campaign for his appointment to
succeed Vail has been carried on since
Jan. /, under the slogan that fire pro-
lection and not politics was what was
wanted of the fire department. BY
water however is now In England. and
Devine Is named at the final point In
the game of inner circle" VS., Mayor
Bransford
Bransford has been well hated by
the Tribune for long time Whether
this action will result in the hatred
breaking loose on the surface in an
effort to undo Bransford with the party
or VIII shoulder quietly on until an
opportunity itself In convention
to name successor IL one of the in
teresting questions growing out of the
clash over the Americans only on
guard policy has been inevitable since
the first attempt to build up an "in-
ner circle and II now seems 10 have
reached a point of open warfare. with
Bransford directly pitched against
those who consider themselves tho
party chiefs and manipulators. among
whom stand In the background San
pete Armstrong and Jerry" Darmer.
NOT A NEW PLAN.
The proposed removal OF Fire Chief
van ana Asst. Chief Crosby has been
under consideration by Mayor Brans.
Iord TOT some time, 1t Is stated on good
authority that about 10 days ago he had
a conversation with james Devine
ABOUT matters pertaining to the city
administration and particularly with
reference to the fire department and
stated that he, the mayor, was anxious
ABOUT the first OF the year to make a
ohanEe In the ire department FOR the
good Of the service"
Friday last the mayor again ualleA
upon Mr.. Deyine and stated, II is said
tnat ne proposed TO remove Vail and
Crosby II they did not resign, and asked
Mr.. Deyine If he would take the posil
tion. The latter replied that he had
not sought II, but would accept II the
mayor wanted him. The same dav
there was caucus held at which ths
mayor, Mr., Deyine and all the "Ameri-
cam members of the city council with
two exceptions, we're present. Tho ait
uation was thoroughly gone over and IL
was agreed that Deyine would BIO an
Dninfan nhlaf and