The Daily Mirror

Larry Harnisch reflects on Los Angeles history

« Previous Post | The Daily Mirror Home | Next Post »

L.A. firefighter buys job for $600, October 21, 1938

October 21, 2008 |  5:44 am



1938_october_21_fire


A 2,000-acre brush fire burns from Stone Canyon Dam to Beverly Glen and north to Mulholland Drive.

1938_october_21_cover
A political bombshell explodes in the Los Angeles City Fire Department: The sale of jobs for $600 ($8,745.89 USD 2007). Fire Chief Ralph J. Scott tells investigators that Fire Commission Secretary John R. Spring and Joe Shaw, brother of ex-Mayor Frank Shaw, conspired to sell civic positions.

"Many of these men wept as they told their stories," one fire official said. "Originally they were just citizens out of a job. They wanted a job on the Fire Department and were told point-blank that the only way they could get it was to pay for it and after investigating they were brought to that inescapable conclusion." 
1938_october_21_runover
Ex-Mayor Shaw denies misconduct.
 
1938_october_21_sports
Boxer dies in ring.



Post a comment
If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.
Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In





Comments


Advertisement

About the Bloggers

Recent Posts
Artists Notebook: Echo Park |  December 6, 2009, 12:00 am »
Paul V. Coates Confidential File, Dec. 1, 1959 |  December 1, 2009, 2:00 pm »
LAPD Disputes FBI Crime Statistics |  December 1, 2009, 1:00 pm »
A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist |  December 1, 2009, 12:00 pm »
Movie Star Mystery Photo |  December 1, 2009, 9:00 am »

Recent Comments
 
RE: Movie Star Mystery Photo | comment by annie frye
 
RE: Movie Star Mystery Photo | comment by Mary mallory
 
RE: Movie Star Mystery Photo | comment by Cold in PHX
 
RE: Errol Flynn Dies! | comment by Xaviant Haze



Archives