Chapter Six - Politics
Most men who offer their services as volunteer firemen, have a sincere wish to fulfill their civic responsibilities and find an opportunity in this channel. There is no denying that there have been some who may have had selfish ambitions and have joined the Sebring Department to further those ambitions. However, it is but natural that the same type of person who will give his time and efforts, without pay, in the fire suppression service, will also answer a call to serve in elective offices.
The Sebring Firemen are proud of the high caliber of their members and of high regard in which these men have been held by the public as has been indicated by the election or appointment of these men, to positions of trust and honor. In the past 33 years, this is the record of such members:-
21 Councilmen 2 Sherriff’s
3 Mayors 11 Educators
6 County Commissioners 6 Chamber of Commerce Pres.
5 Judges 4 Doctors
3 Postmasters 2 State Representative
5 Tax Assessors 1 State Senator
1 Clerk of the Court
With such a history, some people can be forgiven for thinking that politics were a major factor on the agenda of the Firemen. Many, who have not investigated, have made such statements but the fact remains that there has never been an election in which there was anything like an agreement among the members even when one of their number was standing for election. As a matter of percentage, there have probably been as many members of the Lions, Rotary, Elks and other important civic groups, elected to office as have come from the ranks of the Sebring Firemen. In fact, when the Firemen were a young organization most of the members were active with the other clubs, also.
There has never been an objection by the Firemen, to a member seeking public office nor has there ever been a rule to bar an elected official from becoming a Fireman. In fact, one of the by-laws makes all city councilmen and the mayor, ex-officio members of the corporation so long as they hold office. However, the founders of the present fire department recognized the fact that dissention will be easiest fostered by the discussion of politics so, to prevent the breeding of unharmonious arguments, more than for any other reasons, they prescribed and religiously followed the regulation that no politics would be discussed in the fire house.
When an aspirant to public office came to the station to solicit votes, he was respectfully told that he would be heard on the street or at home but not at the station. Many candidates resented this attitude and chose to assume that the firemen would not listen to him but would encourage his opponent so, instead of being considered a virtue, it often reacted unfavorably especially when the candidate was opposed by a fireman. If the fireman was elected the scream "Little Tammany" could be heard to the north pole. However, in the long run, the policy paid off.
One event finally cleared the atmosphere and stopped most of the false charges against the department, of being a hotbed of city and county politics. A very bitter city campaign was waged in 1933 after which the victorious mayor vowed to break up the firemen’s organization. In the weeks that followed, the true story was proven and, after that, there were no more accusations against "Little Tammany." The mayor learned of the public disapproval of his point of view at the next election.
(Copied from the Sebring American of 6 January 1934)
CRAWFORD TRIES TO BREAK UP
SEBRING FIREMEN ORGANIZATION
FIREFIGHTERS GETTING "TOO BIG FOR CITY" IS EXCUSE ADVANCED
FOR FIRING CHIEF
Offers No Proof To Substantiate "Little Tammany" Claims:
Discharge of Altvater Brings Protest From Department Members
Mayor Crawford made an attempt to explain his firing of A. C. Altvater as chief of the Sebring fire department last night. In doing so he provided an excellent example of playing politics and proved that a certain group in Sebring is jealous of the successes of the various enterprises of the Firemen - all for the benefit of Sebring.
He knew and he felt, he said, that the Firemen’s organization was becoming too big for the city and that, it had reached the point that if anything was to be attempted in Sebring the permission of the department would have to be sought first. He referred to the department as "Little Tammany" by firing the man who was responsible for building up the department, one of the best in the state.
Later, when his hand was called by P. G. Gearing, president of the department, the mayor backed down somewhat. He had heard he offered no proof-about "Little Tammany;" that it was getting too big for the city, etc. But Gearing got in the last whack. He set the mayor down in a tactful manner. He told him he was "wrong, dead wrong. And the people of Sebring know you’re wrong."
The mayor’s outburst was the result of a request from Spencer Jones, a Fireman, for an explanation of Allen’s discharge. Jones said he felt an explanation was due to the department. He also pledged his support, as did Gearing, of the Firemen to the new chief, one of their own members.
The mayor’s explanation was not surprising. It was just what was expected and jibed with the tales told during the election campaign. And they were many. But the mayor offered no proof to substantiate his statements. He just tried to explain his action.
One of the mayor’s supporters, G. T. Nelson, came to the defense of Altvater and said that he believed a mistake was being made by the shakeup. Nelson said he was not a friend of Altvater but admired him for what he had done for the city’s benefit and for Nelson’s benefit as a businessman. He referred to the organization of the fire department, whose efficiency had brought a reduction in insurance rates. He spoke of the department’s sponsorship of athletics, which had added life to the city. All of which, he said, was due to Altvater’s guidance.
Norman Lane also protested Altvater’s discharge. He was followed by Gearing who resented the mayor’s charge about "Little Tammany." Gearing also questioned the wisdom of the mayor’s and council’s action.
Although the mayor may be possessed with an idea that he has created havoc by the shakeup, he will find that he has done more to help than hurt the department, one member stated last night. The mayor has showed his colors, and others will do likewise, the member added.
Members of the fire department:
ACTIVE MEMBERS
P. G. Gearing, E. G. Burton, J. N. Ball, Carl Tripp, H. S. Jones, Tom Dimberline, A. L. Butler, Laurie Williams, Harry Raymond, P. S. Wyandt, George Hicks, Ray Morgan, P. A. Naylor, C. B. Jones, B. Taylor, D. Schumacher, F. M. Schumacher, Norman Lane, Geo. Whitehouse, C. E. Weaver, Bob Butts, Fred Wheeler, George Babcock, Clarence King, Tom Whitehouse, Joe Long, Jack Parker, Hayden Williams, H. W. Long, Joe Lighthiser, O. W. Chapman, E. D. Estes, Ray Paschall, Joe Stiles, Ray Vinton, Jack Williams, Allen Altvater, W. H. Dutton, and E. W. Gallaher.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
C. F. Saunders, B. A. Cope, Amos Cook, E. L. Greene, R. N. Durrance, Dr. L. W. Martin, Sam Dimberline, Charlie Morrison.
HONORARY MEMBERS
R. A. Rasco, D. Cobb, Ed Davies, Alexander Blair, Tom Pollard, Eddie Tulk, Harry K. Brown.
Associate members: (By virtue of their office as Mayor and City Councilmen) W. B. Crawford, Willard Percy, B. R. Burns, G. S. Hodil, A. M. Wolfe.
Although one of the city’s youngest men, Altvater is among the oldest in point of residence in Sebring. He served on council in past years. About 1924 he was named chief of the fire department and prior to that time had been a member for several years. He also served as Chamber of Commerce president. His latest public service, in connection with his duties as fire chief, was that of superintendent of public works. Acting under instructions from council, he proceeded to collect light and water accounts, which aroused the wrath of a large number of non-payers, and at the close of his stewardship showed that the city, without sufficient taxes to operate for but a short period before closing its doors, could be run on a businesslike basis. But his activities displeased certain people and he was placed on the spot months ago both as superintendent and fire chief.