Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1920-02-13
F'IREMEN'S MEETING
IS INTERRUPTED
Alderman Byrne and Fire
Chief Arnold Appear I'm
expectedly
Members Say They We're Given Ten
Minutes to Get Out

A meeting was held at fire head
quarters Thursday night which was
enlivened by visit from Alderman
John B. Byrne, chairman of the fire
committee Of the common council,
and Fire Chief C. d. Arnold. This
meeting was made up of men who
have been notified that they have been
placed on the associate membership
list and who have sought advice of
counsel in the matter, claiming that
the action was unjustified and illegal.
The meeting was presided over by
Second Assistant Foreman Henry Du-
mas, as the foreman, Philias Cloutier,
is In Canada. and the first assistant
foreman Is Ill.
According to several who have
since acted as spokesman as to what
went on in the meeting, they say that
while the regular order of business
was being proceeded with, Alderman
Byrne and the chief came into the
room and that the alderman asked If
the gathering did not know that the
members CT Hose Company No. l was
to hold meeting in the room.
A member replied to this that that
was just what was being done.
Alderman Byrne then told the men
they were wrong and said that they
must give up the room and allow the
regular members down stairs to come
up and held their meeting. If you
refuse" a member quotes Alderman
Byrne as saying 1--WE shall send some
one to put you out of here 1t is
also stated that Alderman Byrne gave
the gathering ten minutes to think il
over.
Another member stood up and toiS
the alderman that they were not look
ing for trouble but that if the alder
man thought he had the power to put
out the members assembled, he should
tell whoever he had in mind to come
along for everyone present could
stand arrest if necessary. The mem
Der told the alderman to be careful
because any action taken might come
baVk to hinA
Another member is quoted as hav
ing said that the men have never dis
obeyed the chief and in this the CHIEF
is said to have acquiesced, but saie
that at the present time they were
disobeying his orders by not allowing
the other men to hold their meeting
A member replied to this by sayins
that they were not preventing the 9th,
ers from holding their meeting anc
that they could hold it after the pres
ent meeting adjourned. "Our meet
ing was scheduled to be held at eight
o'clock and we are holding it, ne
concluded.
Another fireman said to Alderman
Rvrne that If he could prove to them
that some Of the men down stairs are
fully accredited active firemen, passed
and accepted by the common council
as they are supposed to be, that they
would call it off and consider thepl'
selves associate members as II Il
claimed they are.
Alderman Byrne is quoted as hav-
ing replied to this that the men are
not passed and accepted by the coun-
Gil. but would be at the next meeting
The alderman was asked if the men
were not accepted how they could
hold meeting. :,
Another member is quoting.the CHIEF
as calling some of the members
"Rhodesville buffers" This man says
that all the company wants is justice.
After the alderman and chief ieft'
the meeting was continued and mat
tiers pertaining to the annual concert
and ball to be held Monday night were
discussed. The meeting was adjourn
ed about 800 o'clock.
Some of the above statements Were
called to the attention of Fire Cher
Arnold this friday morning, but ne
said he did not care to make any reply
at this time.