New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-08

THE HOBOKEN CONFEDERATION.
EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE-A FIREMAN SUPPOSED TO
| BE DRowNED-THE DIsAFFEcTIoN OF THE FIRE
| DEPARTMENT.
All that remained yesterday of the Eagle
Pier at HobOken, which was burned Sunday night
was backened and burning timbers over which
clouds of blue smoke drifted. Here and there
were heaps of half-burned hemp and cotton
and coils Of rope. At the foot OF the
pier the flooring almost completely destroyed
that nothing was presented above the water Dut
the charred ends OF the piles Three Of the bages looked
like black masses floating on tho water; the other an
ice barge was badly damaged that nothing will be OF
service but the hull. The Balto remains anchored III
mdstream at the place to which she towed on sun
day night The effects OF the could be seen in the
great patches Of black her starbOard side and IN her
charTcd rigging
Edward Hecking, formerly member OF the Fire De-
partment, reported missing yesterday morning
and it is supposed that he drowned. At an early
stage Of the Gre party Of 1rcmcn yentured on the
pier and tie flames suddenly became fierce that some
forced to the end OF the pier and
leap the river HccSing who Is thought 10 nave
been one Of this number could not swim Fireman
Israel also jumped o. and sometime aitcrward was
picked up by small boat the ChristOphcrst Ferry
on the NcwNork shore. Ito Frustrated that Le
was unable 10 r~1 intelligent account Of his OK
pericnco while In the river -Four boys each about eish
teen years OF age. arrest, earyyescrday morning
for attempting to carry Of some chinawaro from the
| ruined pier They sentenced to the pcDcntiary
! for ninety days
The agents % the Wilson Line were not able TO make
estimate Of the loss the merchandise but said
that It might reach almost 100000 The insurance on
the pier and she'd held by various companies, is said to
| be about $4,000
Mayor Basson when asked to explain the cause Of the
disahectiOu among q; the fire companies. said that
It grow out Of refusal to build house for Engine
Camfany 40 in Tud-ou-st. lie had never received
any plants about supplies II was the duty Of the
chief en- uccr make known the wants OF the depart
ment. It his desire, and that OF the
| members OF tho Council, far a. he
knew, TO keep the force IN az good cond
| ton as possible Chief Kemp, when asked by the
Mayor II the would now rcturn 70 their en- yine-
said that he thought they would II could not be learned
! Whether any prosecutions would be made.
In engine house No. ! notice slgucd by Foreman
| APPLICABLE was posted on the wall last Friday, and sun
remains there 10 the effect That the company would DC
ont of service until further orders The foreman when
questioned. said that the did not propose 70 do
further duty untll concessions We're maze on lH9
part OF the city authorities He rctCruted the alleged
grievances OF the nrcmen, the principal Of which was
that communications sent INT" the 'o"heh ny the com
pany ignored. lie also complained OF Inadequate
facilities for carrying the work oi the department
communication he said sent TO the Council ycscr
| day afternoon, In which the demands were repeated
morrow evening. at which, IL II expected the subject
Of Organizing paid Fire Department will be dis
There is some talk in Hqboken Of making an eaort to
have the nrcmcn indicted under statute which says
that "any person persons who shall wilfuy obsruct
hinder tie passage of any fire engine hook and ladder
rnck hose cart, In going 20 or coming from fire,
shall be- guilty ~ a misioneInur, and n found guilty
may be fined not more than $1,000 for each offence or
be subject to years imprisonment ~ hard labor
both" Councilman Iimkcn j. one o the most indignant
OF the officials aud declares his intention OF going
personally before the Grand jury In the matter. He
said THE conduct Of our nrcncn was perfectly outra
geous. They stood about In crowds and -tiuscd tO
| lend helping hand Worse than that, they crowded
about "a few faithful ircmtu aud tried 10 lutiuidato
them. | even heard hr"Wcn say they could have cN-
tugshod the lire IN ave minutes. II 3. my mi'ution To
prosecute them under the laws OF the state Two
lengths Of hose belonging 10 the Jersey cry department
were cut, bat lao did 10 IL not known.