Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-21
POLICE ALMOST GET.
A NEW BOSS, BUT
butts" BLOCK PLAN
MAYOR REC o M N E N m SIP. J.
MEAGHER FOR PAlMER'S POST
THEN EXPLANATIONS INTER.
FeRE WITH RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.

oit""" 'hlS HlbtHins ALMOST lldu n
new Commissioner of Public Health
and Safety. The only thing tina. stood
between the appointment of p. j.
Meaghcr 10 that office was flock of
butts" inserted into the procedure by
commissioners Campbell and Heln
lich
Win the nneXpectedness of il thun
der'clap from a clear sky. and without
any intimation that such plan was
contemplated, Mayor Bradford sudden.
y moved thl Mr Meagher be ap-
pointed TO commissioner Palmer's
place, and that Commissioner Palmer
be named to take charge Of the Pub.
lie Property department
Then is when The bu's began to
make their appearance.
Commissioner Campbell announced
himself as being entirely satisfied
with the lransferal of departments.
but he wanted ii to be known that he
siCod first, last and all the time for
giving the man IN charge Of the police
and hire department en.irc charge over
his employees
Il viii vote for Mr. Mcaeher and
approve OF the mayors plan for
switching the two departments" said
Mr. Campbell but" il Is necessary
for me- as long as it has been made
he custom around here to add little
explanation Of my vote
Il have always stood for giving en-
tire authority to The men in charge of
each department, ! have not exper.
fenced a change of heart in this res
gard. In voting for Mr.. Meagher TO
succeed Mr. Palmer or vice versa, /
favor his being given full authority
over the police and iiremen. He
should have the power TO hire and fire
whom he plcases. without having to
bring his complaints before the coun-
Gil for action
1T is imperative for :he proper con
| duct OF the Office that the commission.
or dismiss those men under him. who
do not properly attend their duties.
! have fought for his thing ever since
! came into Office and ! now want to
register my vote as favorng Mr..
Meagher for the head of the two big
departments with the understanding
! he be given full authority, and held en-.
| tirely responsible for their success,
fu operation
The mayor said il was always the
( purpose of the council To be guided
( by the recommendation Of its depart.
ment chiefs, but the power did not lie
within their hands to give 10 or take
( from any of the authority allotted Mr..
/ Meaehcr by law.
! Commissioner Ilclffrirh was strong.
! ~ in favor of ihe Campbell plan and
announced his vote in accordance with
Mr. Campbcll's ideas,
Mr. Mcagher stated that while he
was not trying To shirk any duties
/ denying that he was afraid 10 meet
he responsibilities and stating he was
always ready to do his Guty. announc
ed himself aS being satisfied with the
plan as It was conducted under the
regime of his predecessor
When the matter came to a vote
Campbell passed, lIelifrich voted aye
Modesty forbade Mr. Mcagher from
voting at all aud the mayor voted
with the motion AS it stood tht
count was two ayes ind two blanks.
When neither Commissioner Camp
bell nor Commissioner Meaeher would
pry themselves lose and give vot,
one way or The other, Mr. Meagher "
to speak took The bun by the horns
and refused to accept the Publ,
Health and Safety post h. refusing t
entertain the proposition.
This was followed by the mayo
withdrawing the motion,
Then the whole thing was bnrle
rs tho I. never happened.
The butts" won it,
Refuse Loan OF Engine.
A telegram asking the loan of tn