Fireman Fired After 'Incompatibility' Dispute
A local firefighter is dismissed by the council following a series of conflicts with his department leadership.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Driver James Harbin of hose wagon No. 8 was relieved of his job by the council after a short hearing last night on charges of neglect of duty, insubordination, and general incompatibility of temperament. 'Let her go. It's no use to put in any evidence. I wouldn't have the job under such a chief anyway. Go ahead and discharge me,' said Harbin after three firemen had testified to acts on his part not consistent with good service. So the council took him at his word and Harbin was removed by unanimous vote. Chief McAlevy says he has been obstreperous ever since he claimed he lost $158 in one of the engine houses several months ago. Harbin thought someone in the department had been in his pockets and he has been soured on the whole department since. The council investigated the case at the time but could not find any evidence against anyone.
“I wouldn't have the job under such a chief anyway. Go ahead and discharge me.”
Workplace friction and internal disputes within municipal departments remain a common feature of civic life. The story highlights the tension between public employees and department heads that continues to define labor relations in Tacoma today.
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