Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-21
IS SUSPENDED FOR THIRTY DAYS
Investigating Committee Listens to
Smiths Declaration withou. Com
mens But Gives obstrcperOus Fire.
man Some Good Advice.


from duty for 80 days M-. nav
last night by the council committee
on fire department aud water. The
suspension becomes effective this
morning.
as he WAS about TO leave the com.
mittec chamber after the comit,cc ha
rendered It's verdict, Smith announccd
that he was Just rs much II fireman
now as ever he being member of
tho Central volunteer company. and
that he would continue 10 fight fires;
with that company. He also stated
that he would continue to slecn MT the
Central fire house Smith made this
announcement by way of reply to a
query from Alderman Nelms as TO
whether or not tho suspended driver
would remain on duty at the Central
station last night The committee
received the announcement without
comment by the members. but the
rhnirman. Councilman Christie. and
councilman Boiling, proceeded to give
smith some advice about mdulging in
tho too FREQ uso of intoxlcants.
The committee met to hear tho
charge with the following members
present; Mcssrs. helms. ,ncadlc
boolinG and Chairlnan Christie.
Chief STOW Explains Charge.
Fire Chief stow was the first wifi
meas. lilo said that on last Tuesday.
when Driver Smith was off duty. tho
harness rack OF the FIRE engine at Inc
| Central station was broken. ami lie
instructed Engineer Fred Ludlow.
warden of the station. to toll Smith to
repair tho rack when he returned for
duty "Wednesday morning. Wcdnes.
day afternoon tho chief noticed that
the rack had not been repaired AMI
he asked Engineer Ludlow II he had
delivered the message to, tho driver.
Tho engineer replied that he had hui
that the driver Ind told him that II
the CHIEF wanted the rack repaired no
could repair II himself
After receiving this message. Chiet
Slow pcrferred the charge OF lnsutor.
dlnntion against Smith with Chairman
Christie OF tho committee.
When called to testify In the hear
Ing, Engineer ludlow subSantlatc,l
inc account OF the affair given by
tho chief
On taking the stand III his own he,
half, Smith admitted that he had re-
fused To repair the harness rack dc.
clnring that he was feeling badly when
he returned to work "Wednesday morn
lug. When asked If he Ind not been
drinking too much ut the time. the
driver said that he had celebrate 4
HIS birthday Tuesday. but that he wa5
In IL condition Wednesday, morning Ia
drive the engine or fight fire. Hc
said further that this was his frs.
oHcnse In tho four years that he had
bccn connected with the Central com.
pany IN the capacity OF driver of ap
paratus and hat during that lime he
Iiiad worked faithfully at all fires
which his company had had TO fight.
Also he said he had never had m
accident
Explaining his failure to carry ont
tho chiefs orders. he said that he
thought Engineer Ludlow should have
repaired the broken rack az he usual
~ kept The apparatus at the house
In repair.
Discuss Question of Volunteers.
After the evidence had been taken.
tho committee discussed the situation
at tho Central station at some length
dwelling especially upon The allcgc,.
reasons Why no voltmt cr fireman can
be secured for that station. Several
of the members said that they favored
suspcnding Smith so that they could
ascertain whether or not he was res
ponsibie for the failure of the volnn-
4 tecrs TO turn out with the company.
Finally. MIR Boiling moved ina, The
driver be suspended 80 days without
,pay. This motion met win no sec
ond. and The discussion of the case
continued. Mr.. Boiling said that he
did not favor Diminishing the driver
unless Chief Stow wanted him dismiss.
cd. The chief made no reply. After
further discussion. Mr.. Chcadlo secon-
dcd AIR, Bollng's motion ANA 1t was
/ carried by a unanimous vote.
After Smith ialt the committees
chamber. the committeeman continued
tho discussion OF the case. MIR.
| Christie stating that ne believed
Smith should have lycen dismissed for
tho good OF the department." Chief
Stow coincided with This opinion.
saying that the driver might be worse
than ever when he returned to work
There followed some talk of recon-
! sidcrinr The original motion. hut Mr..
Chcadle declared that he did not think
In reconsideration would he fair to
smith. and the mattor was dropped.
! u was generally agreed, however. tha;
I if there was any moro complaint az.
ainst The driver from the chief that
Smith would he dismissed.
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