A TROUBLESOME QUESTION AT PLAINFIELD.

A TROUBLESOME QUESTION AT PLAINFIELD.

A question recently arose at Plainfield, N. J., as to the appointment of an assistant chief, which savors very much of politics and tends to impair the existing good dscipline of the fire department. The force consists of one chief, one assistant chief, ten men and three captains, all full paid. Besides these there are one assistant chief, one captain, twenty-three men and one engineer of steamer on the call list. Some discussion arose, in which a lot of busybodies took part, as to the appointment of the call Assistant Chief John Cose being the nominee for the place. His name was twice submitted to the council, but failed to carry the number of votes to elect; consequently, no appointment was made. An ordinance was then introduced in council to abolish the position of second assistant, and it went to a third reading of that body. The argument was made that, as an assistant call chief no great good could be accomplished by continuing that office, more especially as his time was his own, and he could be away from the city, when, possibly, his services might be required. At the third reading some snag was run against, the threat being made that, unless the second assistant named was not appointed and the office abolished, a raise of insurance rates would be made. I bis stopped action for the time being; but it is learned that such senseless talk emanated from an in surance broker, who was interested in Coses appointment, hut had no authority to speak for the National Board of hire Underwriters, l or a city of the size of Plainfield there is no immediate need of two assistant chiefs, and, no doubt, council will pass the ordinance to preserve the excellent reputation and fine discipline of the department. Chief I Inane is one of the best men in the fire service of New Jersey, and it is a fact that he is opposed to any politics hampering his work a stand in which he should be sup ported by all the people of that prosperous Jersey city.

The large reservoir to be built at Tonopah, Nev., will be the property of the Owens River Power company.