Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-26
UNION IN FIRE DEPARTMENT
Organization Debated Extensively at
the Commissioners Meeting.
LEFT WITHOUT ACTION
Commissioned karbach and Mayor
Lock Horns In Argument and
Captains Closely Examined
by the Commissioned.

Starting in with a nice l%ovetest, the
meeting Of the Board Of Fire and Police
Commissioner last night was enlivened by
a tilt between Mayor Dshlman and Com
missioner Karbsch. The trouble started
from a .rumor to the effect that a petition
was being circulated among members OF
the fire department asking for the reduc-
tions Of Chiefs Salter, Simpson and De-
neen.
Three captains. Jacks Of engine company
No. 1, Morris Of hose company No. I and
Gardner of truck company No. g. we're
called on the carpet by Commissioner kar-
bach to tell what they knew Of the pur-
ported petition, and Captain Jacks remark
that the so-called petition was charged
against The union turned the discu ssion
into that channel.
thief salter supported COMMISSIONS
Karbach in his contention that a union is
a bad thing in the department. The com
missioner introduced a resolution instruct
ing the chief to notify all members OF his
department TO refrain from organizing,
attending or participating in any secret
organization within the department" fall
ure TO comply being punishable by dis
charge.
The mayor defended the union, for the
reason that no complaint had ever been
filed against it or its operation since it's
organization four years ago. and after a
protracted discussion Commission Karbach
recalled his motion.
Nothing was brought out to substantiate
the rumor that a petition against the fire
chiefs is being circulated.
Drafts OF contracts drawn up by the city
attorney to be entered into between the city
- Il $500 k.1o,nf,. a. 80, d.. a,l
police departments, the contracts being in
the form of a waiver of the increased pay
accorded by the new charter, were read
to the captains present. The board. on
motion. agreed to sign the contracts If the
men will. Captains announced that every
member OF the fire department had ex-
pressed a willingness to sign, and Chief
of Police Donahue said that all but six
men on his department had already signi-
fled a willingness TO sign. The contracts
specify thai the men will work the re-
mainder Of the year for the same pay they
would nave received had the charter not
been changed. \
Out of consideration to Mrs. Edward
Leeder, who is seriously sick, the board
postponed for two weeks the trial of Fire
man Leeder, who is charged with work
ing politics during the recent city
campaign.
Policemen L. w. Willis and James Ken
nelly pleaded guilty to entering a saloon
and drinking beer while on duty. and were
each fined so and enjoined to abide by the
rules in the future. Charges against Fire
man Fred A. Fitzpatrick, who reported for
duty thirty-seven minutes late one morn
ing. were dismissed.
Martin Mulvihill, captain of hose com-
pany No. 6. made application to be placed
on the pension roll, but no action was
taken.
Chief OF Police Donahue was granted
twenty days leave Of absence to attend
the annual meeting OF the chiefs Of police
of the United States and Canada, begin
ming June Is. He was also voted 500 ex-
pense money.
Last nights meeting was the first of the
new Board OF Fire and Police commits
sioners. Commissioners Karbach, Hunter
and Wappich were present, COMMISSIONS
Hoye being i'll at his home with pneumonia.
Retiring Commissioners Giller and Flod-
man were also present and before the bust
ness of the evening was taken up the new
and the old commissioners with the ex-
ception OF Mr.. Karbach, each made a little
talk on what they had done or hoped to
do. Mayor Dahlman presided.