Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-11-29

1t not Tins fault that his
should be reckoned with the nirth makers. But for all
that Tim was accredited with of the best political
jokes of the year-the joke of putting over
the Gentleman from Georgia, the Fire Commis-
sioner called
1t all happened that year the machine had its bitter
experience with reform. The Mayor machine candi-
date turned harshy upon his political sponsors de-
veloped unexpected and alarming symptoms of indie
pendence and appointed reformer civilian head OF
the fire department; while the boss and his captains
stood fguratvely by with mouths agape and appraised
hands.
The new Fire Commissioner, Southerner
tracted violent dislike to machne-made and their
methods. Big Tim denied even the privilege of
calling at fire headquarters His requests tor transfers
or details were answered. Naturally Tim
"They tell me, Tim, you're about as welcome as
smallpox up at fire headquarters under the new regime
said Charlie Clark, ship news reporter, day.
He might as well have stepped on Tins pet corn.
flush mounted the leaders temples, and he scowled.
"Yes, Just about welcome, growed I1m I'D like
to put crimp in that highbrow from Georgia. Why,
he gave the headquarters gate for nothing at ALL
What do you think of that for nerve? I'll get back at
him somehow, the big cheese!'
Clark had the inspiration habit at times. One hit
him just Big Tim finished talking. @1ve got it,
TIM" he exclaimed. Heres the sketch,-Gent from
Georgia-hates nggers-give him one in his old de-
partment. They never had colored fireman. Get the
civil service crowd to put it You have drag
with them. They'll hold special examination for
hreTner-a n1gger nead tne SlrOnS
equality and all that. He'll force the Fire Com
missioner appoint the smoke. 1t will break the Com
issoners heart but he'll do it. Oh it's all dead easy,
and you'll pull the joke of the year. Go to it, Tim!"
A FEW months later Ben Tyler presented himself at
headquarters ninety weight per cent. man, and
duly appointed in accordance with the Mayors
order. 1t had all worked out Clark had planned.
There mistaking the race from which Ben
sprung His color that of the proverba of spades
d S>ort1xy
from the men who served with him in Twenty Truck
and partly from Ben himself The black man began
fighting fires with the usual enthusiasm of beginner,
with all the beginners ambition to be hero The ami
mostly of the white of the department. who resented
keeny the presence of the negro made impression at
all on Ben. He determined to make his way. He
proud of the honor of being the ctys only black
fireman.
Ben's early days in the probation class at head
quarters busy There, under the direction of
Battalion Chief Lawrence, seasoned fire fighter, Ben
and the other probatloners instructed the
of the various apparatusthe hose couplings, nozzes,
pipe holders hydrant wrenches, scaling ladders lock
openers and hundred and other tools the of
which fireman has to learn.
1t all new and interesting to Ben, and there was
in the class eager to learn than he. The
fe-net jumping great sport To stand on the edge
of the toolshed while the other probaoners held the
net fifteen feet below, pause and brace his muscles
for the leap then spring into space with legs drawn up
and and head bent forward, then to fall upon the
yielding and rebound into the air, only to land
his feet and spring lightly to the ground it all
very exciting.
Scaling the wall of the headquarters building
feat Ben enjoyed most of ALL There real danger in
that Ben wanted to face danger: that the way
become hero Up the side of the building Ben would
go, for all the world like great black ape in mans
clothing He handled the heavy scaling ladder with its
taonlke arm of steel, as though it ath. From
window to window he would craw,-up the seven
l.