Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-08
DRAWS PAY FOR FIREMAN NOT
EMPLOYED AND IRREGULAR
lTYls DISCOVERED.
KIRBY REPAYs THE MONEY
AND FILES RESIGNATION
City Clerk J. ). Wilson Discovers That
Kirby Had Carried Name Of Albert
F. elton on Pay Rolls at $40 Per
Month For Three Months-Grand
Jury Starts Investigation.

Chief I. T Kirby. head of the fire de-
partment for twelve years--resigned to-
day following irregularities in the mat
ter of his pay rolls which, altho settled
at once have untitled him for further
service in the city's employ. Sorely
pressed for money, and in distress,
Kirby put the name of Albert FELTON,
on his pay roll for three months, draw
ing $40 per month for man who was
not employed in the fire department al
the time, thinking that he could square
it later when his pressing needs had
been tided over
The matter was discovered. the
money promptly returned, but the nre
chief had ruined his record for twelve
years most efficient service and ne re-
signed Because he felt so sorry for
Kirby Councilman Austin did not ac-
cept the resignation until late Fri
day.
City Clerk Makes Discovery.
1t was in September that City CLERK
J. J. Wilson discovered that the pay
roll of the fire department contained
the name of one not employed. The
shrinkage in the fund for the fire
mems pay, which indicated that If II
continued would leave the fund without
money to meet the rolls, caused Wilson
to start an investigation. This led to
a check being made of the men in the
department.
Then it was found that on the roll for
the month was the name of Albert Eel
ton for whom had been drawn SO. The
check showed that no such man was in
the employ of the department.
Found on Other Rolls.
The investigation carried further
showed that Albert FELTON, was on the
rolls for the months of July and Au-
gust of this year at $40 month. 1t
was then that Kirby, when accused of
drawing the pay of FELTON,, admitted
the rregularity to City Clerk Wilson
and to Councilman Austin and repaid
the money.
Mercy sways Austin.
During the weeks Councilman Austin
has had kirby's resignation in his desk
he has been in a Quandary. He knew
Kirby to be a good fire fighter. He
had known him from boyhood and his
family for years. He felt sorry for
Kirry and held the resignation without
accepting it.
1--WE have been friends since boy
hood. I felt sorry for him and the
trouble he got himself into. l wanted
to help him: He has been a good fire
chief, everyone knows that" said Aus
tin in explaining the course he had
taken.
However. when rumor persisted and
-b i,rr, jnnlIirp fhe
resignation was accepted
Grand Jury investigates.
Late Friday afternoon the grand jury
began an investigation. Just before 1t
adjourned until next week it summoned
Councilman Austin and George Her
man. Austin was examined for a short
time.
1t was learned this afternoon on good
authority that il was very probable
that the grand jury would not investi-
gate the case further.
Kirby First Chief.
Kirby was the first and only chief OF
the department since a paid depart
ment was organized ard equipped in
1908. Previous TO that time he had
been a member of the city council, I'M
der the old system, and had been in
the retail grocery business.
Investigation May Follow.
Rumors and charges of conduct OF
firemen of the central station, which
have been more or less persistent since
the Kirby scandal developed. may re-
suit in an investigation by the council
Of the entire dena -tment. AS yet Coun-
Gilman Austin has taken no step to pry
into the inside affairs alleged to have
existed in the station.