The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-13
Aldermen Loranger, McMil-
Ian and Alexander AS
serted That, No Suitable
Local Man of Experience
Had Applied, and Depart
ment Needs Experienced
Man to Reorganize 1t.

In spite Of determined opposition by
Aldermen Keefe and Scott, the Barre
board of aldermen last night confirmed
the appointment of Arthur G. Preble of
Quincy, Mass, as chief of the Barre fire
department at a salary of 81 500 a year.
The confirming vote was three to two,
as was the vote to fix the salary at
81 800.
The appointment of Mr.. Preble was
made after two other appointments for
the same position by Mayor Glysson had
been rejected unanimously, the first be-
ing that Of Edward r. Tierney Of Barre
and the second that of Charles A. Car
dani of the Boston fire department.
There were five members voting, Alder
man Healy being out of town.
The chief objections raised by Alder
men Keefe and Scott to the confirmation
of Mr. Preble were these: That local
man ought to be secured rather than TO
import" man; that local man could
| be secured at less salary than an ex-
perienced city fireman would ask; that
| Mr.. Preble was once disabled and was
drawing pension at the present time
from Lynn, Mass, and that the disabil-
| ity was naDie TO return.
On the other hand, Aldermen Loranger,
Mcmillan and Alexander contended that
no local men of experience in fighting
fires had come forward with applications
for the job that the fire committee did
| not believe in asking man TO apply for
the position; that an experienced man is
needed to reorganize the department;
that Mr. Preble's disability is overcome
at the present time; that salary of
81 500, such as Mr. Preble asked, was
not excessive.
On the ballot the vote was lined up as
the aldermen had spoken, three for Alr.
Preble and two opposed. This action
was taken after the resignation of Chief
Tobin had been accepted as well as that
| of Capt f. G. Cutler.
Following the announcement of the
confirmation of Mr.. Preble, the fire com
mittee was instructed to notify him of
the appointment and the readiness Of
the city to enter into contract at once.
Then came a motion that the salary be
ST. 800 year, with Alderman Scott NOV
ing to amend by making it $1,000. The
amendment was lost, two to three, after
which the original motion was carried,
three to two.
Thereupon, Alderman Scott gave no.
tice that he should fight the proceeding,
and he questioned the legality of the
action of the board of aldermen in fixing
the salary, claiming that it might have
to be done by the city council. Alder
man Scott declared; "Thats the way the
city's money is going and that's the rea-
son the city's tax rate is soaring"
Lest there be some question about the
right of the aldermen to fix the salary,
Mayor Glysson, who was present as a
spectator, called meeting of the city
council to vote on the question, but AL
derman Mcmillan dug out city ordi-
nance which states that salaries may be
fixed by either the board of aldermen or
the city council Then the action by the
city council was called off Mr.. Preble
has served many years in the Lynn fire
department and is at present connected
with the Fore River fire department at
Quincy He is a man of about 40 years.
This action on fire chief followed a
long winded session of the aldermen
which lasted until 1890, having started
at 7, with Vice President Alexander pre-
siding.
Public Health: tuberculosis Research
Commended.
Public health occupied the greater part
of the evening, one of the chief actions
being the adoption of resolution ex-
pressing unqualified approval of the re-
search work being undertaken by the
National Tuberculosis association under
the direction of Sylvester Schattschneid-
err M. S., to gain statistics concerning
tuberculosis in the granite industry.
This resolution, as read by Clerk Mac
kav. was as follows: Resolved, that the
plan of work to be undertaken in this
city by the National tuberculosis asso-
ciation, as outlined by Sylvester Schatt-
schneider, meets with the hearty approv-
al of the city, and we hereby direct all
city officials to give this their hearty
co operation, and we further urge that
all granite manufacturers and cutters
personally and through their respective
organizations give this work their hearty
&C. operation, so that the aims of the
association may be fully realized, and
from realization of the same we feel
that great benefit will accrue to man
kind generally and to this community
especially"
Alderman Scott, continuing the discuss
sion of public health, reported that he
and City Attorney Sargent had been at
CONTINUED on fifth page.)