Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-29
CHIEF CRONIN TO RESIGN.
the Commissioners Decide 10 Make a
Change in the Head Of the Fire DE.
partmcnt.

Last evening Chief Engineer Martin Cronin.
OF the fire department, received brief note from
the secretary of the District Commissioners,
stating that he was directed by the Commits
sioners to request MIR. Cronin 10 send in his
resignation, to take effect on the 3oth inst.
The Commissioners stated 10 a STAR reporter
to-day that the request for Mr. Cronin's resigna-
ton refers to the position of chief engineer OF
the department and does not affect his men,
bership in the fire department. The only
cause for II, they said. was that they have come
70 Tue conS.usl3n that the interests of the de-
Rartmentsworld be promoted by a change.
The condition of Mr.. Cronin's health they saw
is not the best, and that since the severe shock
ne received caused by his getting in contact
with an electric light wire some months ago.
ne has been seriously affected, and although
improving he Is far from being a well man. Ii
Is more imam likely that IN he cannot be pro-
Vlued Tor In some other capacity in the depart
ment that he will be pensioned.
WHAT CHIEF CRoNIN SAYS
Chief Cronin, when seen by a STAR reporter
to-day, said he had not yet answered the letter
or seen the Commissioners: but he would COM
ply with their request. He thought two DAYS
notice was very short. II have devoted mySelf
entirely to the interestsof this city eighteen
years." said Mr.. Cronn, 'and ii the Commits
sioners think that il is to the interest of the
community that should resign, have nothing
TO do but submit. They are the responsible
officers They are my superiors. and II is my
duty to obey" Mr. Cronin spoke at length of
the services he had rendered in improving
Il a.
| fire calamities. He thought he was just ar well
qualified for the position he mad been for
years past, and knew of no defect of BODY or
mind to affect his efficiency chief In ali his
eighteen years service, he said, he had never
lost a day, except when exhausted by service at
the United States hotel fire and when injured
by an electric shock.
HIS SUCCESSOR NOT YET CHOSEN.
Commissioner Webb, speaking of Mr. Gro
nin's case to a STAR reporter, said that there
were no charges against the chief. Mr.. Webb
said he favored promoting some man now i'm
the service TO the office of chief, IL would not
do to put an inexperienced person I'm that place.
There had been, he said, no consultation among
the Commissioners as to Mr.. Cronin's successor
CHIEF CRoNIN's OFFICIAL CAREER
Martin Cronin entered the fire department
eighteen years ago, and after two years service
as an engineer was appointed to the position OF
CHIEF. During his sixteen years of experience
In that capacity he has become prominently
known among the fire department chiefs of the
country. lie has been Instrumental I'm improy-
ing the apparatus i'm use not only in the service
here but in other cities, as several OF his i'm
provements and suggestions have been cener-
ally adopted. Under his administration the
ire record in this city has been an enviable one.
A year ago his health was seriously affected by
an electric shock received from a wire on "A
burning building. He has, however, partially
recovered from this illness.