Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-23
VAIL IS DROPPED
BY CITY COUNCIL
Name of James Devine as His
Successor Did Not Come
From Mayor.
PARTY LEVERS ARE WORKING.
Opposition Within "American" Ran
Appears--Davls * iicuscr Award
ed Sewer Contract.

James Devine. named by Mayor
Bransford to succeed Charles T. Vail
as chief OF the fire department, was
not confirmed by the city council last
night. In fact, his name was not even
mentioned. The matter of his con-
iirmation and appointment did not
come up at all.
After Mayor Bransford left salt Lake
for his trip 10 the coast Saturday
afternoon, opposition 10 the appoint
Inent of Devine as fire chief began TO
develop. As one good American" said,
"a lot of us got busy" and by the time
council meeting arrived II was all fixed,
and as far as the council is concerned,
Mr.. Devine didn't even have look
in"
The council approved unanimously
the removal of Chief Vail, and with
all voting aye but Holley, Asst Chief
Byron r., Crosby's removal was APP
proved. Mr.. Holley said he thought
the whole matter should have gone
TO the fire committee, Of which he Is
n member. for adjustment.
on motion Of Councilman Martin,
chairman NJ the fire committee, VIII
liam T. Ayland, the ranking captain If
the fire department, was appointed
chief pro tenn.
CONTRACT AWARDED.
The council, after fight in which
everybody took part. finally rescinded
its action of u week berore and award
ed the contract for constructing sewer
extension No. 1856 TO Davis 4 Heuser
The district Is bounded by Third and
Sixth avenues and A street and the
military reservation. The matter had
come up Mt Il special meeting held
Thursday night upon motion Of Coun-
Gilman Ferry, but consideration was
deferred until the regular Monday
night meeting. Last night Mr.. Ferry
renewed his motion, and Councilman
Stewart took the floor In behalf of the
contracting firm OF Davis & Heuser.
He read lengthy statement In behalf
of the firm, in which answer was made
10 all the charges preferred against
them
Councilman Fernstrom again relter-
ated his charges that the firm was UNI
reliable, and that the fact remsins that
their work was defective and IN his
onlnlon they We're trying to lob" the
city. He strongly opposed letting the
contract 10 the firm stating that when
labor was scarce they refused 10 en-
ploy needy citizens, while James Ken
nedy took on n steam shovel used
IN sewer work and employed largo
number OF these men at good wages.
Councilman Black declared that the
contract was Illegal from the fact that
the firm had not filed It's bond IN time,
and said he aid not approve of award
Ing the contract 10 Davis & Heuser be-
cause they had not played fair with
the city In their past work
STEWART THEIR SPONSOR.
Stewart again defended the firm. fIo
asked II the council wished To squelcn
an competition by unfair tactics Ho
said some one had circulated a petition
on the north bench In favor of another
contractor and he thought II was small
business Mr. Stewart designated
Black and Fernstrom as attorneys for
Kennedy, whereas Fernstrom retorted
with the statement that stewart war
the attorney for Davis a. Heuser
When the matter came to vote,
the motion carried, only councilmen
Black. Fern8trom. Martin and Presi-
dent Davis voting IN the negative.
There was one request for having
made last night I'm which the lndlgenee
OF the city was not referred TO That
was the petition OF Thomas Kearns.
who asked tho council 20 pave G street
from South Temple To First avenue
The ely recorder was instructed 10 ad-
veriise notice OF intention 20 have the
work done at once, or course. II Is