The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1908-03-27

The attempt of a reporter OF one
of the daily papers of this city to
create sentiment against the colored
fire company in East Nashville has
fallen fiat, and these heroes OF many
perilous battles in the interest OF the
people are still recognized as men OF
valor and as honest as their reputa-
tions have shown them to be. The
American of Sunday morning had the
following to say:
Charges will be preferred by Chief
Rozetta against two Negro firemen
within the next few days the charges
being based upon statements made by
Hugh F. Smith who lives 937 Russell
street. The two firemen, Wallace and
Silvers, of Engine Company No. 4, In
East Nashville, will be charged with
having tempted to extort money from
Mr.. Smith for alleged services rem
dered at q fire at his house few
days ago. The charges have not been
Ipreferred as yet, but will be within
the next few days and probably
Monday. Mayor Brown has been IN
formed of the allegations made by Mr..
Smith in regard to the two men, and
he will call the Civil Service Commits,
sion to meet as soon as he has re-
ceived the charges. If the papers in
the case are received Monday, the
trial will he called for the following
Monday. The law requires the inter
vention of five davs between the fl
ing Of charges and the trial Mayor
/ Brown usually allows seven days to
{ intervene.
"Mr. Smith states that the fire was
I extinguished before the firemen ar
? rived on the scene. Silvers is said to
| have come to him first He did
T. not demand any money, but
| paved the way for his partner to do
D so. The men, 1t is alleged, claimed
/ TO have been very careful Of the prop
e erty after the fire, stating that by
n being careless with the water, etc.
1 the furniture would have been greatly
r damaged. Wallace, 1t is alleged
Y then demanded s4. When Mr.. Smith
!. questioned him verv closely he is
e Isaid to have retracted his demand fol
e money and CHANGED It to a request fol
e loan Of 81. It is not known what eff
n feet such an action as this, in case
Is these men are proved guilty, will hav,
q mon the Board Of Public Works II
4 removing the Negro company from
n the department There was some agI
tation along this line some time ACC
but II was stated at the time that tn,
neople Of that section of the cit,
h. were anxious that the comnanv b,
le retained, and in accord with thei
,s wishes no action leading to their re
J., moval was taken"
h, The Negroes Of Nashville are mn
It. versallv of the opinion that the cit
officials owe It to forty thousan
in black citizens and to every citizen q
ne this municiDalitv to rid the fire d,
n nartment of this trouble-making cha,
,s- acter William Silvers. On every han
ST oan he beard discussed the record r
as this individual When he was ser
of N the COLLEGE street Chemical Cor
ranv It was running In smooth q
TO der but It was only a short time b
I'D fore trouble was brewing, and folloV
of ing in close succession came the a
en- nouncement that a white man had
he he put in charge to keep matte
he ouiet The next move was to nal
RI. that company half white and half cC
I'm ored. and then came a transfer
no Silvers 10 the Woodland street col
ne. many. From that day until the a
wv. uouncement last Sunday the peoI
red have been restless and the news "
not a surprise. The question hard'