Evening journal., 1916-07-14
Merchants May Ask Council
for Return of Money Paid
to Chief Golden
ACT UNDER LAW
81 YEARS OLD


spection fee, which was passed by the /
Legislature thirty-three years ago, and /
which. according to several council /
men, had never been enforced until /
within the past two months.
Fire Chief Golden stated that he !
proposed to continue charging for the /
Inspections. as he had the opinion OF
lawyers who we're not "boobs," that
the fee was legal.
This statement was made following
the session of Council. when Council
man McGoldrick asked the chief II
CITY Solicitor Hastings had not told
him (the chief that the old State law
would not hold water" Chief Golden
said that MIR. Hastings told him TO
confer with him when he thought he
Rad case. Chief Golden said he had
the opinion of Robert G. Harman and
William S. Hilles, who we're no
boobs."
During the session Of Council, when
the matter was under discussion. it
was decided to lay 1t over until re-
mort os the are chief was presented,
showing how much had been collected
and what had been done with the
money This motion was made by
Councilman McGoldrick. after a report
Of the chief had been read, showing
that 491 Inspections had been maze
in June.
FoIlowing the reading Of this report
Councilman McGoldrick suggested
that Il be returned as II was not COM
plete, saying that It did not meneiol 5lli
how much money had been coiiec.eu
An fees or what had become OF the
naopov Councilman Kane said that
the motion was unnecessary, as under
the new laws, such inspections W.
not authorized. Does the memoer
from the Third ward MAKE any
charges against the fire cniei asNeo
Mr.. Kane. o,,,o5
aT make no direct charge, but' as
understand it, the FIRE chief Is cry
Official. being paid for making llless -
inspections which he is charging lul
I have been informed that he cnarees
Al for such inspections. rms Is
thought wrong by citizens VINO az.
having the salary of the hre chiei a.
Councilman Draper said that un-
der the State law, such inspec1lon'
are allowed, il being mandatory OF
fhe part of the FIRE chief TO max %
them. It was explained that the law
did not state, however, VINO was "
receive the. fees. -,
Councilman McDermott SAID INA i,
while the chief was FOLLOWING ~
state law. he did not thlnk u llsI
mat the fees should be charged: .dd' a'
said that il the present salary oL 3'S, y,
is too small, the fire CHIEF shoulu u'
allowed more money. rms oi opll'oi
was shared by President OF Counoi
Downward and several others;
Councilman Draper SAID ne tnousn 1sil
the present FIRE chief should De con
gratulated If such inspections WeI'
Taouired by law and he was the ON m
dre chief who have MADE suSn IL
spections. The law. IT was eHplalileo
demanded such inspections De liau
once every two years. .o,
councilman McGoldrick protesle'
against the fee system saying tnae l.
opened the way for graft ana ne W.
An favor Of abolishing all sucn oni0e
that relied on fees. o,,
Fire Chief Golden produced cop
of the State law on the subject passv oos
An 1881 which is found on faee ~; S-'
Vol 1e. Chapter SAC state Laws. M NJ
was read by Councilman Draper. IN IN
motion TO have the hre chlei inaA @
a report on the fees collecleu ~ pas
vailed and the subject then was i''
an the table until next week; -,
The subject Of the fees nelhs m GO,
1ected by Fire Chief Golden vas o4r al,
sidered before and after COunoi, ~
session and at the close Wi,iiT -, on
ing TO President Of Counen DoHi S,'.,
ward and Councilman McSoluiao,
chief Golden said that ne hau 49, 49,
ed less than $50. and that ne ptOpo5v ~ 3.
IN keen II until Council saw NJ 70 II
so bis salary It was said th'
the Toes collected were for inspectln
a. ascanes only and not for II
snections OF premises as aulhoIlAs
nv Council some months ago.
previous to the session OF Coun'
az question was discussed by sever
Councilmen. when Chief Golden le
his report book in the once oI S ClS
Of Council Simmons. This pooK. unu p
the heading General lnspecIlons
showed that $50 such inspections n
been made since May is last. Inc
snections started among the lar
stores and industrial plants ana co
tinued on down to dwelling nous
about the city. many of them wv
story buildings. Several Of the Cou
cilmen said then that complaints a
been made to them about FIRE Cnl
Golden endeavoring TO collect doii
for such inspections.
Merchants Talk of Appeal
Incensed over the actions OF On
Golden in collecting the fee, merchan
property owners and others who ma
been requested TO pay the fee are IA
ing of appearing before Council and a
inc for a refund of their money or
the adjustment of the system
II was also learned today that tn
who had paid the fee had bee mntorn
that the holding Of cert
cate from the fire chief setting 10
that the fire escapes in their buildil
we're satisfactory, placed them IN
class immune from any liability Z
might arise from injuries sustained
persons hurt in their buildings in c
Of fire.
II is alleged this statement "
made by Chief Golden to William Nj
kenzie and Miss Davina Macken7
manager and bookkeeper respective
for william F. Mackenzie. dyer
COZ Shipley street. when Golden
sently inspected their building.
John S. Stewart. barber, Of No.
West Seventh street, was one OF tn'
who refused 10 pay the fee so far.
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