Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-08-30
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIGHT RENEWED
Old BeIIeviIIe Board Goes Coun-
Gil One Better in Max
ing Appropriation.

There will be a fight for recognition
by both fire chiefs" of Belleville at
the convention Of chiefs to be held in
New York, beginning September 8.
"Chief" Provett, who is the appointee
of the old board of fire commission
ers. was last night given 800 to de-
fray his exepnses, while his rival,
"Chief" Reinhardt, the council ap-
pointee, has only $50 to spend. The
board of commissioners voted the APP
preparation to Provett knowing that
the other contestant was to get only
half the amount.
At a recent meeting of the Exempt
Flremen's Association of which both
"chiefs" are members. each argued
his claims. The sanction Of this body
Is necessary for credentials to the
convention, and ProVett was accord
ed the recognition because the legali-
ty of Reinhardt's appointment had
not been proven.
Reinhardt has not been deferred by
this action. and announces that he
will go on the floor of the convention
and contest the credentials of Pro-
vett.
The meeting of the board of COM
missioners last night was held in the
Eastwood Hose Company No. quar-
tiers, the company that is favorable
to Provett. The other two companies
have recognized Reinhardt.
The fight which has been in progress
over a year and a half is attracting
unusual interest, not only in Belle
vile, but likewise every municipality
wherein q change of government has
been experienced within the last few
years.
Deploring the action of the Town
Council in not determining the le-
gality of their course in assuming con-
troll of the department, and decry1nE
the activities exerted in behalf of the
department by Councilman Emil c.
Mertz, chairman of the fire commit
tee, and Christian Reinhardt the
committee appointed "chief," the old
board instructed it's attorney An
drew l.. Boylan, to notify and warn
all three that hereafter all hands
must be kept off anything and every,
thing pertaining to the department
"Chief" Provett is the holdoYer
chief of the old board. the election OF
fire commissioners having been abol-
ished when Belleville, two years ago,
changed its form of government from
a township to town.
Legally advised, at the time that
by virtue of the change OF govern
ment, control of the fire department
vested Ill IDG 1OuuCiif anu abpPNtii5
n resolution purporting to convey the
authority Mayor c. Lyman Dennison
appointed the fire committee of the
Council
The Council committee in turn ap-
pointed Reinhardt, of Essex Hose
Company No. 3. Chief of the de-
partment at a salary of $500 per year.
A communication conveying TINS IN
formation was forwarded the three
fire companies in the town, and re-
uuested the different companies to
cooperate with the "chief" in up
holding the efficiency of the depart
ment
Hose Company No. / and Essex
Hose Company No replied TO the
committees letter accepting that
body as the controlling power. East
wood Hose Company No. ., however,
wishing to have the legality of the
ease tested refrained from acting.
A series of wrangles over the &C
lions of the companies, covering O.
period of year and haf, cul.
minating in the absolute refusal OF
abe old board to recognize the new
committee.
Apparently reluctant to take the
initiative in legal proceedings both
bodies allowed the matter to lay
dormant, until. after persistent ell
fort on the part of Councilman Frank |
J. Carragher. one of the five com
mittee of the council. Town Attorney
John DeGraw, in behalf of the coun-
Gil, appealed to Chief Justice William
S. Gummere for a writ of mandamus, !
in an effort to obtain books and pa
pers.
Accordingly, on Saturday, August
2, Messrs. DeGraw and Boylan APP
peared before the chief Justice, but
decision in the case was reserved
for one week until further argument
could be forthcoming. second APP
pearance before the chief Justice, one
week later, resulted in decision being
once more deferred until action could
be taken by the courts.
The firemen are in uuandary |
pending court action. as to what
course to pursue pending the action
of the courts. With two different
bodies claiming control of the COM
panies, and two chiefs" requesting
recognition of their authority at
fires. the members of the companies
claim they are at a loss what to do.