Suspension of Chief Clancy of Milwaukee.

Suspension of Chief Clancy of Milwaukee.

摘要悬挂消防队长克兰西,Milwaukee (the proceedings of which were published in this magazine last week), by a majority of the members of the fire and police commission without giving the head of the fire department an opportunity to explain the charges, continues to arouse indignation throughout that city. The whole proceeding is being denounced as a political deal on the part of the socialists to get control of the lire and police departments for political purposes, and the fact that Commissioner Sherman Brown is aiding the movement. is arousing especial criticism. It is being claimed that the commission is packed against Chief Clancy, and that he will be convicted of the charges against him by the majority of the commissioners, although courts and former commissioners have acquitted him of the accusations he now faces. One of the most serious phases of the situation is that Clancy will be tried by men who are known to be personally against him. The differences between Commissioner Brown and t hief f lancy are of long standing. Several years ago Clancy and Building Inspector Koclu started out to regulate billboards insofar as they endangered the work of the fire department. Friends of Clancy say that Brown, who is manager of the Davidson Theater, also is interested in a billboard concern, and took decided objection to Clancy's suggestions for regulation. Later Clancy and Koch were active in regulating theatres against fires, and here again, say Clancy’s friends, he aroused Brown’s ire. The suspended chief’s friends say that they have nothing to expect from the socialists and under the circumstances nothing from Brown. I heir only hope is that they will get a fair review in the circuit court. Insurance men are taking notice of the situation and are not likely to tolerate a disorganization of the fire department. Officers of the board of underwriters refused to discuss the situation as officials, but privately as citizens and insurance men are free with their criticism of the proceedings. According to the insurance men the absence of a real head of the fire department is placing the lives and property of the people in jeopardy. They are also hoping, they say, that no big fires will break out during his suspension for fear that the dissatisfied condition of many of the firemen will lead to serious results in lighting fires. The statement is made boldly that any attempt to keep Chief Clancy out permanently and pacing a less capable man in his position will be fought to the finish. All agree that as far as efficiency was concerned he had no equal, and they will insist that this latest charge be substantiated if it is used to serve as a ground for sustaining the suspension. If the suspicions ot insurance men are sustained, one of the immediate effects of the unwarranted action of the police and fire commisison will be that the fire insurance companies will place Milwaukee in a lower class and raise the insurance rates. This will mean the unnecessary expenditure of many thousands of dollars on the part of Milwaukee people who hold or desire to hold insurance policies l oyal Durand, president of the Insurance l ndcrwTiters' Association, said he had his opinion of the affair, but did not care to discuss it as an official of the association.

"I will say, however, that we were fully satistied with the efficiency of Chief Clancy's fire fighting, and therefore, can sec no merit in the charge that he is incompetent. There was no doubt in our minds as to his ability, 1 f the old squabble can be brought to a head and ended now, so much the better for us and all concerned.”