CHIEF SWENIE’S NARROW ESCAPE.

CHIEF SWENIE’S NARROW ESCAPE.

CHIEF SWENIE, of the Chicago fire department, has more than sufficiently established his reputation for bravery at fires without needing to run any further risks to add to his fame. Such a task were superfluous, wherefore, it is to be hoped that, not only for his own sake, but also for that of the fire service in general and Chicago in particular, he will not again expose himself to the danger of losing his life as he appears to have done on Saturday last at the fire in the factory of the Rauch Furniture Manufacturing company, where, had it not been that some of his men found him lying unconscious on the floor—the victim of smoke-prostration—his distinguished name might easily have been added to the long list of heroic firemen who have died at their post of duty. Men of such a stamp can ill be spared at anytime; much less can the fire service of the country afford to lose such a fire fighter as Chief Swenie. We can of course, well understand how he hates to keep in the background while a fire is raging; but he must rememberthatone of the first requisites in a commander-in-chief is to avoid unnecessarily exposing himself to danger—his part being to direct the forces aud to leave to his subordinates the duty of leading the attack on the foe. When his men show themselves unwilling or afraid to go forward,then the chiefmust lead. But, cowardice cannot be laid to the door of any of our firemen; for which reason their chiefs can well afford to stick to the directive part.

CHIEF SWENIE, of the Chicago fire department, has more than sufficiently established his reputation for bravery at fires without needing to run any further risks to add to his fame. Such a task were superfluous, wherefore, it is to be hoped that, not only for his own sake, but also for that of the fire service in general and Chicago in particular, he will not again expose himself to the danger of losing his life as he appears to have done on Saturday last at the fire in the factory of the Rauch Furniture Manufacturing company, where, had it not been that some of his men found him lying unconscious on the floor—the victim of smoke-prostration—his distinguished name might easily have been added to the long list of heroic firemen who have died at their post of duty. Men of such a stamp can ill be spared at anytime; much less can the fire service of the country afford to lose such a fire fighter as Chief Swenie. We can of course, well understand how he hates to keep in the background while a fire is raging; but he must rememberthatone of the first requisites in a commander-in-chief is to avoid unnecessarily exposing himself to danger—his part being to direct the forces aud to leave to his subordinates the duty of leading the attack on the foe. When his men show themselves unwilling or afraid to go forward,then the chiefmust lead. But, cowardice cannot be laid to the door of any of our firemen; for which reason their chiefs can well afford to stick to the directive part.