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 Lcggett Fire.

The absorbing topic this morning in the
| vicinity of West Broadway and Franklin
| street, was the d!sobedience of Fire Chief
Bonners orders for the disconunuance of ele-
waited trains because Of the danger OF the fall
at any moment OF the granite blocks forming
| the cupola Of Francis II. Lcggett 4 Co. . big
grocery house, tine three upper stories OF which
were entirely eusted by fire last evening.
Not only was the order disobeyed, but since
dayoreak this morning the west track, which
was considerably damaged by the fall OF Q
portion Of the stone roof, has been utilized by
downtown trains.
Cnief Bonner Is still firm in his belle that the
overnanRing granite blocks of the cupola are
| very unsafe and likely to tall at any moment.
aud perhaps cause loss df life.
When seen by an EVENING WORLD reporter
this morning Cnief Bonner said that the wall
was dangerous to life ami property and con-
| sequently tratiic should be suspended on the
! elevated road in front of u until made safe,
"After | inspected the wall last evening, "
| said Chief Bonner, 81 co me to the conclusion
| that, as 1t was SO dangerous looking, the run
| ming OF trains should bo suspended for q time
| at least.
81 gave an order TO mat effect, and II the
police nave not carried it out 1t is not my faut.
gave me order ON the strength Of the power
| vested in the Fire Commissioners In such
emergencies, and nave discharged my duty. F."
Chief Bonner saii further that despite the
fact tnat he maina aimed the same opinion OF
towards enforcing his order.
Police Capt steven, on. OF the Leonard street
| station, was thoroughly confident this morn
| ing that the wall of the nldinx was not nt any
| time menace to public nafeIy.
| Notwithstanding the q der ne received from
Inspector steers this nor ming TO make report
| on the controversy between hlmself and Chief
| Bonner, he Ia loud In his assertions that he did
| not follow the Iatters directions because he
| entert aimed different VI iew of the situation.
"When chief Bonner inspected the wall, Z"
| said capt. Stevenson, 'he told Que OF the
| sergeants to stop the tfaffic on the l. tracks.
| The company mad already stopped their trains
| on the downtown track.
"COl. Hahn and his engineers, after the fire
| was over, inspected the tracks an concluded
| there was 10 danger. The north-bound track
was perfectly free OF all danger-Col. Hahn be-
| lieved 20. asked number OF firemen OF nve
companies ana they all Hold me that there was
| no danger from the condition Of the building.
~ was OF the same opinion. Besides 1t was
not my place to enfore any such order-l mad
| TO use my judgment, and followed IT,"
Col. Hain Is reported this morning "a say
| Ing that the order issued by Chief Bonner Tor
| the stopping of the elevated trainH was the
result OF an old grudge. II was claimed that
the railroad comp iuy's refusal to issue passes
TO the members OF the Firo Department had
terests
When seen by an EVENING WORLD reporter
ordered the closing OF West broadway ana the
| discontinuance of the Elevated trains on ao-
| count OF the alleged dangerous wall. But i
did not obey the order because Thought uif-
| ferent. did not believe the wall was unsafe,
and am of the same opinion now.
81 am an engineer and looked over the sit
agreed that there was no danger. Besides,
had duty to perform, and IL was 10
relation to the thousands Of people
who were out yesterday and had to make use
OF the Elevated trains to convey them to their
homea
"Tnere Is no friction between myself and
Chief Bonner. He exercised his Judgment
and exercised my own. though We did not
| reaoh the sane conclusion."
Asked II unfrieudly feelings said to exist in
| the Fire Department against the elevated man.
grant froc transportation to nfcmen had
prompted Chief Bonnet's order, Col. Ham
said:
"No. Chief Bonner 10 gentleman and
woula no, s.oop to such methods Of retalia-
tion."
Tne three upper stories OF the big nine
| story building are completely gutted. Tnou-
| sands of gallons OF water were dripping
| through the half dozen floors ihis morning and
played havoc with the goods.
crowd of curiosity seekers and business
men, kept respectable distance by the po-
lice. gnzed at the work Of tho names and the
displaced granite of the cupoia. which 10 an
| A smdl-slzed flvulet OF black coaP Pulated
| liquid, the blending Of sugar and spices.
| coursed IN the gutter in front OF the building,
| and the army of turee huadred clerks were
busy moving out chairs, desks and other office
paraphernana.
| The 6rm have hired every available room in
| the neghnorhood, and there carloads OF office
| furniture have bet removed.
| The topsy-turvy condition OF AFFAIRS pre-
| vented the 1xing of the damage this morning,
| though Mr. Wallace, ont OF the members Of
| the firm, said that II would reach at least
$3.50. 900 to bu lhing and dsocS
| About 5000, OOO worth of groceries had been
stored in the building and water was the priE-
| cipal source of camage.
| The aggregate insurance, according to the
| report OF the Board OF Fire Underwriters, Il
| 1868, O00-Sl4n 900 on tine building. sos, 900 on
stock and $40, 600 on furniture ana nxings.
| The insu-anceis divideh among seventy our
| different compani-R.
| It's generally admitted that the IRE origiu-
a;ed on the ninth or top door, which was util-
| l2ed for the manufac,ura OF extracts. large
| quantity OF alcohol was stored on thai floor
and It is believed that IL ignited through spon-
| taneous combustion.
| The nre was discovered at 8, 80 O'Clock yes
terday afternoon ana was not under control
until O'Clock.
| Some damage was caused by the fall OF q
portion Ol the wall on the Elevated track and
| the roof of Grammar School No. a. In North
| Moore street.