The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-04-26
= E. Ridsnhour Replies.
vinita. Okla. April 20. 1912.

Yesterdays issue of your paper con-
ned copy of letter purporting to
he been written to Mayor Starr by
b George NJ. Merit Raines. in which
makes, what | consider un unwar
bted, uncalled for, unfair and ma
ious statement in reference to me
Chief of the Vinita Fire Depart
@ht, and as to the manner in which
h department is being run.
10 those who have lived here in
hita for any very considerable time
lis not necessary that | should pay
II attention to the communication
|frred to, but there are many new
4ers living here at this time and for
II reason / ask that you permit me
impose on your columns to reply to
attack by Mr.. Raines.
lr. Raines says that he considers
it would be an imposition on the
payers, under the circumstances
ch now exist, for him longer to re-
4 n with the department, and says
\ i the department is inefficient and
d rds practically no protection
4 INST fire to property in the City of
Aa= The gentleman does not state
y hat respect the department is in
q lent, and | do not believe that he
= point out anything, under my
q er to control, that renders the de-
6 ment inefficient. He makes the
her statement that the department
y Iaintained solely for the benefit of
lrtain political machine in Vinita.
ther statement without specitica-
: ). 1t is easy enough to make any
Iof a reckless statement, but it is
her matter to prove such state
is and ask that the gentlemen
ify in what manner it is being run
le interest of any political machine.
s cannot do so. He says that there
n ot now a legally acting and ap-
4 ted Chief at this time. For the
fit of the people of Vinita will
) that / was named by Mayor
r for the position and the City
leil confirmed my appointment. II
Is not legal perhaps the gentle
who is so we'll versed in the law
xindly point out in what manner
Chief should be selected and ap-
ed.
n gives as a further reason for re
ng that the rules of the depart
k are made solely for the purpose
wing him displaced by some one
different political faith. That is
ieriest rot that anyone ever ut.
was the first Chief of the
Fire Department and Mr.
has been in the department
- long time and has as a general
performed his duties in a salts
- " manner and there was no de
i inclination to supplant him by
t another party faith. In the
ime that | have been connected
Me department politics has Gu
ure. This statement of mine /!
tied from the fact that such re
q
ms as the gentleman himself
other Henry, Lige Henderson
Torbett, Elmer Torbett, s. }
81 Reamer and others have beer
force and the democrats Wit
neen on are few and far between
always endeavored to keep poll
ut of the Fire Department ant
Fish to follow the same course
has the reputation of having
lass department and my aim i
- b it so. AS to the rules of tn
hent, let us see. The rules nov
are as follows, viz:
10 drinking or profane languag
bling allowed.
wo firemen must be on duty a
es.
aremen must sleep at the Fir
Ach fireman have one day o
eek.
lsitors must be treated wit
and respect.
b fireman allowed to leave tn
Eation without notifying tn
j the Assistant Chief.
b loafing in the Fire Station
-un- Aase rules and regulations wi
- Iy enforced.
- will notice that Mr. Raine
silfuIly or through Ignorance
correctly stated the rule abol
permission to leave the Iii
He states that the firema
leave of the Chief before Z
he. The rule says he mus
le Chief Or the Assistant Chic
any hardship in that? Shou
eman be always where he ca
led in case of fire? Is he NJ
doing service, and has M
Ahe right to say that If a fir
t-oe tho Fire Station that