New Britain herald., 1923-12-12
FIRE BOARD TABLES CASE OF STANTON
Commissioners Engage in Lengthy SQuabble and Fail to Agree

Following a hearing by the board of fire commissioners last evening ot Lieutenant John Statons story oi how he read the tap incorrectly wheI a fire alarm was sent in, reading the number 4l6 instead of 446, it was decided to table the matter until 8 future meeting.
 Lieutenant stanton stated that he had been upstairs when the alarm came in. As he turned to go down. | stairs he noticed that the time was ! 4:16 o'clock by the clock in the room 1 He attributets to this his incorrect reading of the tape, saying that il must have been on his mind at the 1 time. He then directed the driver to ! box 4l6.
 1 Fireman Louis F. Huber. who ac- { Companied Lieutenant Stanton, and who was on duty at the desk in En. zine House No. when the alarm sounded, stated that when the lieu tenant came up to the desk, he i'm mediately went to put on his boots He said that, due to an injury, his mind was on the fact of getting his boots on in as little time as possible as the injury had been to his foot and there had been times when he had been forced to go without his boots.
 After the hearing Commissioner Blair expressed himself as being in favor of having Chief Noble repri- mand the lieutenant. Commissioner Cans favored a fine of two days pay.
 This did not strike Commissioner Blair right. He stated that a man who has been in the department as long as Lieutenant Stanton has--14 years--deserves some consideration, since he has had no marks against his name up to this time. He stuck to the idea of having the man repri- manded.
 Carlson Case Brought Tp. Commissioner Cans pointed out the fact that if the lieutenant is allowed to get off as easy as that discipline will lag. He stated that if Stanton is allowed to go with a reprimand, the Carlson case should be reconsid- cred. There should be no favoritism. he said. The Carlson case was that of a fireman who read the tape wrong some time ago and was fined two days pay.
 Here Chairman John R. Keevers told Of how Fireman Carlson was brought up before the board and fined, His superior officer comes be- fore the board and is let go. He was of the opinion that it did not look right.
 Mir. Cans then asked Commissioner Rogers, who had seconded MT. Blair's motion of having the lieutenant rep rimanded, why he changed his mind in the present ease. when he had sided with Commissioner Cans in having Carlson fined. Did you make a mistake the other time?" asked Mfr. Cans.
 ''To be frank with you. I did" re- piled Mir. Rogers.
 Don't you think carlson's case should be reconsi5ored." asked Mr. Cans. lt was stated that the Carl- son case is a thing of the past. Mir. Cans came back at this with the re- tort that if the lieutenant was allowed to go free he would bring up the Carlson case again with the end in view of having his fire remitted. He stated that Lieutenant stanton should be an example for his subordinates
 Commissioner Cans was in favor of tabing the matter until it could be more thoroughly investigated. to which Commissioner Blair dissentod. Ii was stated that new developments might arise, as it was not known that Private Huber had any connection with the case until the meeting Of last night Commissioner Rogers stated that he had not had time to interview either Of the men concern ing the affair. II was finally decided. upon motion Of Commissioner Cans, seconded by Commissioner Rogers, to table the matter.
 T. was voted to have no further home bells for second platoon men installed, upon recommendation of Electrical Superintendent George Cooley. r. M. Tiffany. representative Of the Gamawell company. with of- fees in Boston. was present with Mir. Cooley 10 explain extra alarm appar- atus which may be adopted.
 Driver Broplly Commended.
 The board went on record as com mending Driver John Brophy for his good work on December {. in avoid l ing a more serious accident than hap | pened. when a fire truck, 10 avoid | striking a moving car. sidesgfped a [ car parked al the curb. IL was stated 1
 
 probably amount to about $50.