The evening world., 1891-05-11
COL. HAHN Has A BIG PULL.
1t Enabled Him to Disobey Fire
Chief Bonner's Orders.
Disagreement as to the Danger from
the Leggett Fire.

| The absorbing topic this morning in tn,
vicinity OF West Broadway and Franklin
street, was the d!sobedience OF Fire Chie
Bonner's orders for tie discontinuance Of eie
vated trains because Of the danger OF the fal
at any moment of the granite blocks formini
the cupola Of Francis II. Leggett Il Co. g BIZ
grocery house, the three upper stories of whici
were entirely gu,ted by FIRE last evening.
Not only was the order disobeyed, but sine,
daybreak this morning the west track, which
was considerably damaged by the fall OF
portion of the stone roof, has been utilized by
downtown trains
Chef Bonner is still nrm in his belief that tn,
overnaaging granite blocks OF the cupola are
very unsafe and likely TO tail at any moment.
aud perhaps cause loss OF life.
When seen by an EVENING WORLD reporter
this morning Cnief Bonner said that the wal
was dangerous to life and property and con
sequently traffic should be suspended on The
elevated road in front Of 1t until made safe.
"After l inspected the wall last evening,
said Chief Bonner, 81 came to the conclusion
that, as 1t was SO dangerous Doking, the run
ming OF trains should be suspended for q time
at least.
81 gave an order to that effect, and " the
poles nave not carried 1t out II is not my fauit
gave me order On the strength of the power
vested In the Fire Commissioners in sucr
emergencies, anu nave discharged my duty.
Chef Bonner sali further that despite the
fact mat lie maintained the same opinion o
the danger OF tue wall he would take no ste
towards enforcing his order.
Police Capt steven on, OF the Leonard street
statl0n, was thoroughly confident this MORN
ing that the wall OF the building was not at any
lime menace TO public safe'y.
Notw Outstanding the order he received from
Inspector Steers this morning o make report
on the controversy between himseit and Chic
Bonner, he Is loud III HIS assertions that he did
not follow the ldtter's directions because he
entertained different view OF tne situation.
"When Chief Bonner inspected the wall, y
sergetnts to stop the trafllc on the l. tracks.
The company had already stopped their trains
On tle downtown track.
"Col. Hahn and his engineers, after the fire
was over, inspected :he tracks an concluded
there was no danger. The north bound track
was per lecty free oil oil danger-Col. Hahn he
lieved 70. ASKED a number OF firemen OF ive
COMPANIES and they all told me that tLcre was
no danger from the condition of tae building.
~ was OF the same opinion. Besides It was
not my place to enfore any such ordtI-l had
TO use my judgment, and followed It,"
Col. Helm Ia reported this morning as say
inI hat the order issued by Chief Bonner Tor
the sto2riug Of tue elevated trains was The
result OF an ola grudge. IL was claimed that
the ra lroal comp iny's refusal to issue passed
10 tine members OF the Fire Department had
caused Cnlef Bonner to be inimiral to its iu-
terests.
When seen by an EVENING WORLD reporter
Col lain said, ''YeS l received word
through the police that Cnief Bonner had
ordered the closing OF West broadway ana the
dlscontinnsnce OF the Elevated trans on ac-
connt Of the rlleRed dangerous wall. But ]
dt not ohey the order because Thought diff
ierent. dri not believe the wall was unsa .e,
aud am OF the same opinion now.
~ am an ensiueer and looked over the sit
ultion with our Chief Engineer, and we
agreed tina. there was no ncer. Besides,
hao du,y to perform, and !, was In
WIN W, re OUT Yesterday and had to make use
OF the Elevated Trains to convey them to their
homes
.'Tnere ia no friction between myself and
Chef Bonn"r. He exercised his jud9men,
and exercised my own. 'aouah We did moi
reach the sn" e courlusiDn."
Asked II unfriendly feelings said to exist in
the Fte Dep rtneat against tIe elevated mnn.
agemrnt rrJwing out of the lat;er's refusal to
Grant ire" transportation TO n:tmen had
pr mpted ca.ei Bonnel's order, Col. Ham
mo. Chef homer is gentleman and
womb GOT s;oop 10 such methods of retalid-
tion."
Tue thre, upper stories OF the big nine.
story building are completely erued. Tnou-
-an'ls OF "a Ions OF water were Gripping
tnrOugn the ali dozen floors this morning and
played havoc with the goods.
A crowd Of curiosity seekers and business
men, kept at respectable distance by the po-
hre. pHZcd at tue work OF the names and the
ulSplhceu granite OI t0e CupOId. WulCn u an
object OF much speculation.
A small-slZ- ID rlvulet OF black coAgulated
iqniu, Inn blenning of sugar and spices,
coursed IN the gutter In front OF the building,
and the army of three hundred clerks were
busy moving out chairs, desks and other once
pafaphernalla.
The nrm have hired every available room in
the ueignEorhood, and there carloads OF ONCE
furniture nave Oer n removed.
The topsy-turvy condition OF affairs pre-
vented the nxing OF the damage this morning,
thou Ih Mr.. Wallace, one OF the members OF
the firm, said that Ii wouli reach at least
$3.50, 0C0 TO hu lding and STOCK.
About f60O, 600 worth OF groceries had been
store IN tne nuildng and water was the prin-
cipdl source OF 'amage.
The aggregate insurance, according to the
report OF The Board OF FIFE Underwriters, IA
1853, G00-sl5O, 0o0 on the building, 1909. 600 on
stock and $50, COO on furniture and nxipgs.
The insuraCce Is divided among seventy.iour
different COMMANDS.
Il Ia generally admitted that the IRE origin
sted on the ninth or top nonr, which was util-
lzed for the IN IDuf4ciure OF extracts. A large
quantity OF alcohol was stored on that noor
ant II Is believed that I; ign'ted through epon-
tareors combustion.
The hre was disc overed st 5, 80 O'Clock yes
terdav afternoon ana was not under control
until o'clock.
some amage was caused by tho fail Of @
portion Oi the wall on IN Elevated track and
tne roof OF Grammar School No. A in North
Moore street.