The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-01-18
KELLY FINED
 AND REDUCED Stiff Sentence Imposed Upon Accused
 Fire Fighter Alleged Shake-Up Coming In Forces Of Engine Co. 5

Holding him guilty of the charges of disobeying his superior officers and using abusive language toward them the fire commissioners today fined Hoseman John J. Kelly, of Engine Company No. 9, $50, and reduced him in rank from Grade c to Grade B. The charges against Hosernan Kelly were made by Lieutenants Arthur H. Chambers and Thomas Lee, of Engine Company No. 5. and were heard last night by the commissioners.
 The reduction in rank for Hosenan Kelly means a loss of $100 annually in salary. Grade c firenen get S1, 200, and Grade B men get s1.1o0 a year
 Though Hoseman Kelly made seri- ous charges against the lfeutenants who appeared against him, at the hearing last night, no action was sioners. Kelly claimed that his su- periors bruta11y assaulted him and that the whole affair was a frame up-''
 Kelly conducted his own defense He had intended to have a lawyer represent him at the hearing, but, he says, a commissioner told him this wouldn't be necessary He was no tiffed of the commissions action in his case this morning, but would not comment on it.
 According to those who are supposed to know, Engine Company 5, where the trolble occurred, is booked for shake-up as soon as the new Engine Company 10 house is completed There promises to be a wholesale cleaning up in an effort to straighten out the differences that are known to exist there between officers and men.
 That he was the victim of 8, frame up'' in which his superiors bruta1ly assaulted him, was the story told the fire commissioners last night by Hose pany g, charged with assault Lieu tenants Thomas J. Lee and Arthur Chambers. Kelly declared he was set upon by the officers of Engine Com pany 5, and added that he would have shot them, had he carried gun, such was his passion at the time
 Lieut. Chambers, the first witness, testified that Kelly had come to En- zine 5's house, seeking a coat that had been lost. He said Kelly was looking for trouble and innm mediate1y mixed it with him. Lieutenant Lee then came in as a peacemaker, witness said, and blows were exchanged generally. Kel- ly, witness said, used abusive 1angu- age.
 Several f1remen who were about the house were called but could throw no light on what actually occurred. Mas reached the engine house shortly af- ter the trouble occurred and walked away with Kelly. The latter, he said, showed no signs of intoxication.
 Hoseman Kelly said he was set up- on by Chambers and Lee and bruta1Iy assaulted He said the assault was a 'frame-up' and resulted in his seek ing medical treatment. Kelly said he would have shot his alleged assailants, had he a gun so great was his pas sion. He took back the statement later, when questioned by Commissioner Taylor Kelly said his superiors were continually nagging their charges. He declared that he had used abusive language and did strike the officers, but only in blind passion provoked by the alleged assault upon him. He said he was going to tell the truth if it cost him his job
 The hearing was a lengthy one and several with esseS were questioned by the conn missioner