Evening journal., 1913-09-04
FIRE FIGHTERS
WIN COMPLETE
VINDTCATION
continued from First Paee.

DO0N Wndl ne knew Cohtrihih- th'ot
charges Mr White alsu held that
two Witnesses were sufficient TO sub
stantiate the charges and that It was
not necessary TO have the other eight
witnesses present he wished 10 be
fair and impartial In the case. but
believed that the hearing should pro-
coed The charges have been hang
ing since the first of July. and 1t was
only fair to the firemen to have them
suhsJantlated or disproven.
what Mr. Connolly knows ought
10 be sufficient TO indict or acquit
the Union Fire Company. Mr.. White
said.
I'VE will now proceed to hear the
charges"
Connolly Unwilling to Proceed.
Mr.. Connolly. however was not
willing that the investigation should
proceed.
1T is impossible for me to 20
ahead when my witnesses are not
here" he insisted Il don't see why
you canno- grant a postponement /
don't see why the matter should be
covered up that quick"
There has been on effort to cover
up anything" returned Mr.. White
quickly. Il still maintain YOU have
had sufficient time TO bring your wit
nesees here"
After more argument during which
Mr. Stover brought out the point that
the mayor and Council are granted
power to issue subpoenas under the
city charter the hearing proceeded.
A letter was read from Mr.. McNenna,
one Of the ten witnesses. in which he
said that he knew nothing whatever
about the Union Fire Company.
HE does know" remarked Mr..
Connolly. He gave me his name as
q witness"
At this juncture Mr.. Zimmerman
desired to know whether the FIRE
company had broken any contract
with the mayor and Council.
Il believe not" said Mr. White.
Then we have no jurisdiction over
this case, replied Mr.. Zimmerman.
These men are hired by the may
or and Council TO fight fires. This
is no place for such a hearing II
should come before the chief of po-
lice and city attorney"
We'll. these are pretty serious
charges" replied Mr.. White.
Mr.. Zimmerman replied. They are
serious charges, but we have no bust
ness 10 handle them"
Mr.. White ~ also think the whole
thing should be turned over 10 the
city solicitor"
Mr.. Stover IF it is not the bust
ness Of this body TO investigate such
charges then whose business is IL?
Council hires twelve fire companies
to render certain services 10 the city
OF Wilmington. Along comes q citi-
zen of Wilmington preferring certain
charges against one of these compa-
nies. Council ia interested in two
ways, In the interest Of the citizens
and the FIRE companies u rs not n
case for the chief of police or chief of
the fire department but g Is the husi-
ness Of this body TO Investigate these
charges"
Mr White Mr. Connolly. we will
now hear your evidence"
Mr.. Connolly y have no evidence
F. except the Witnessed"
5 6errss Denies Beer Delivery.
Mr. Gerras was then sworn.
In reply 70 questions from Mr.
Connolly Gerras admitted that he was
employed at the Office of the Bavar-
ian Brewing Company. but denied
having any knowledge of ever plac-
Ing keg Of beer ia the wagon Of the
assistant chief of the fire department.
he declared that the brewing com
pany had outside men TO attend to the
placing Of beer In wagons Mr.. Gar
rett had no questions 10 ask.
Mr.. Ierras caused some amusement
when he told OF his surprise at receiv-
ing the letter summoning him TO the
hearing, as he knew absolutely nothing
vt all about the matter.
John Connell, the other witness. de.
nied ever having seen any beer taken
into the Union fire house. although he
lives only three squares away from the
place. He said he never saw any mis-
ronduct among any of the members of
The company.
Mr.. Connolly then stated that these
witnesses were very immaterial and that
The important witness had failed to an
pear. Mr.. White desired to know what
the other witnesses would testify
Walsh and Green. Mcconnell declared.
would testify about IA conversation
overheard by them O'Conner saw the
assistant fire chiefs wagon with beer
IN IL. Desmond and Gabriel were on
the truck OF the Bavarian Brewing
Company that delivered beer to the en-.
gine house, and McCaughey was driver
OF the fire company's truck.
Then most of it is hearsay evi-
dence. remarked Mr.. Lynn.
All Hearsay Evidence
Mr.. Connolly admitted that he had
been told that the fire company gave
sway beer to the public rs he charged
IN his letter but he had not seen il
personally He stated. however. that
be had seen the beer in the shed OF
The engine house on the night before
election day He said he had seen fhr
Bavarian truck drive up with tho
beer and had seen Mr. Douehertv roll
. keg of beer into the engine house
This ended his testimony Tn repl,
70 Mr. Garrett in cross examination Nr
Connolly stated that he had no othei
motive IN prcfefrinr tho charges except
high moral purpose" and a desire &
break up the practice Hc admitted h,
was a member OF the fire COMPANY. n,
said he had never given any beer to tho
fire company
Mr.. Cook said the matter under in
vcstigation had nothing 20 do with IN,
contract between Council and he fr,
company Mr. Stover held the samu
opinion.
Under the conditions Of the con
tract Council enters into with the FIR
company he said. 'it is a matter o
equipment and services. We nav then
a sum OF money 10 do certain things
MI Conuollx rharoaa that tha oor.