Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1895 — chief’s Advice to a Reporter. [ARTICLE]

chief’s Advice to a Reporter.

Chief Swenie, though sometimes brusque In manner, especially when wrestling with a “4-11” alarm, is in fact kind at heart and has often shown great consideration and forbearance for newspaper reporters under circumstances that would try the most affable temper. An instance illustrating this trait of the great fire chief happened many years ago when a reporter, new entitled to rank as an “old-timer,” and who had recently come to Chicago, found himself assigned to his first big fire. The blaze was in a large downtown business block and when the reporter got there the building was a glowing furnace from basement to roof. Chief Swenie was at the front, moving rapidly up and down the street directing the work, when the guileless reporter stepped up to him and said: “Mr. Swenie, what do you think the loss will ”

“What the ” The chief was about to say something vigorous, but he stopped abruptly and In a quiet voice asked: “New reporter, eh?” “Yes, sir.” “Been in town long?” “Two weeks.” “First fire?” “Yes.” “I thought so. Well, I’ll give you a pointer—never ask me any questions when I am so busy as I am now. When I get this thing checked come to me and I’ll give you all the information I can. Play away, seventeen!” The reporter has met Chief Swenie at many fires since then. He has never forgotten the “pointer” nor failed to observe it, and he has never tackled the chief after the blaze was under control that he did not get all the hearing he desired. On conspicuous characteristic of Chief Swenie, and one which reporters are well aware of. Is his ability to accurately judge a fire loss. Whenever he is asked the question, “What Is the loss, chief?" he strokes his beard and answers, “Well, I guess it’s about so and so,” and a comparison with the subsequent insurance adjustment will show that “so and so” is about right— Chicago Chronicle.