The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-04-20
4. E. RIdenhOur Replies.
vinita, Okla. April 20. l9l


Editor of vinita Daily chieftain:
Yesterdays issue of your paper con
tanned a copy of letter purporting to
have been written to Mayor Starr by
one George NJ. (MerU Raines. in which
he makes. what | consider un unwar-
ranted, uncalled for, unfair and ma
licious statement in reference to me
as Chief of the yinita Fire Depart
ment, and as to the manner in which
said department is being run.
To those who have lived here in
vinita for any very considerable time
it is not necessary that should pay
any attention to the communication
referred to, but there are many new
cQmers living here at this time and for
that reason ] ask that you permit ME
to impose on your columns to reply to
the attack by Mr. Raines.
Mr.. Raines says that he considers
that it would be an imposition on the
taxpayers, under the circumstances
which now exist, for him longer to re-
main with the department, and says
/ that the department is inefficient and
affords practically no protection
/ against fire to property in the City of
vinita. The gentleman does not state
in what respect the department is in
efficient, and do not believe that he
can point out anything, under my
power to control, that renders the de-
partment inefficient. He makes the
further statement that the department
is maintained solely for the benefit Of
a certain political machine in vinita
Another statement without specifica-
tions. 1t is easy enough to make any
sort of reckless statement. but il Is
another matter to prove such state
ments and | ask that the gentlemen
specify in what manner it is being run
in the interest of any political machine.
He cannot do so. He says that there
is not now legally acting and ap-
pointed Chief at this time. For the
benefit of the people of Vinita will
state that | was named by Mayor
Starr for the position and the City
Council confirmed my appointment. If
that is not legal perhaps the gentle
man who is so well versed in the law
will kindly point out in what manner
the Chief should be selected and ap-
pointed
He gives as further reason for re-
signing that the rules of the depart
l'ment are made solely for the purpose
of having him displaced by some one
of different political faith. That is
the veriest rot that anyone ever ut
tered. / was the first Chief of the
Vinita Fire Department and Mr..
Raines has been in the department
| for a long time and has as a general
thing performed his duties in salts
factory manner and there was no de-
sire or inclination to supplant him by
one of another party faith. In the
long time that have been connected
with the department politics has cut
no figure. This statement of mine is
warranted from the fact that such re-
publicans as the gentleman himself.
his brother Henry. Lige Henderson,
Bud Torbett. Elmer Torbett, S. ].
| (Biddy) Reamer and others have been
on the force and the democrats who
have been on are few and far between.
have always endeayored to keep poll
tics out of the Fire Department and
now wish to follow the same course.
Vinita has the reputation of having a
first class department and my aim is
to keep it so. AS to the rules of the
department, let us see. The rules now
in force are as follows, viz:
i !. No drinking or profane language
or gambling allowed.
.. Two firemen must be on duty at
all times.
3. Firemen must sleep at the Fire
Station.
4. Each fireman have one day off
each week
). Visitors must be treated with
courtesy aud respect.
| g.. No fireman allowed to leave the
Fire Station without notifying the
Chief or the Assistant Chief
I. No loafing' in the Fire. Station
| s. These rules and regulations will
be strictly enforced.
You will notice that Mr.. Raines,
either wilfully or through ignorance,
has not correctly stated the rule about
getting permission to leave the Fire
Station He states that the fireman
must get leave of the Chief before ne
can leave The rule says he must
kuotify the Chief or the Assistant Chief.
/ Ie thera auv hardshin in fhaf7 Should