100 years ago in Spokane: Firefighters censure colleague for draft opposition

A number of Spokane firefighters asked the fire chief to transfer colleague F.A. Miller to another station, because Miller wouldn’t purchase a Liberty loan (war bond).

They were also upset that Miller applied for a draft exemption on the grounds that he was opposed to war on religious grounds.

The fire chief admitted that some firefighters had asked for Miller to be transferred, but the chief said he did not think that request would be granted. Some officers in the department believed that Miller “was sincere in his belief that all war was wrong.”

From the Red Cross beat: A massive Red Cross fund drive in Spokane went over the $120,000 mark. This was considered to be sufficient “to insure the establishment of a base hospital by this city.” The local Red Cross chairman had already applied to the national organization for permission to establish a base hospital.”

From the Hillyard beat: Hillyard imposed a new curfew ordinance, aimed at keeping children and teenagers off the streets.

At 9 p.m. every night, the fire whistle would blare. Everyone under 18 would then have to be inside.

A special officer was appointed to enforce this new ordinance.