New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-28
CROWDED. WITH FOREVEN.
BROOKLYN FIRE DEPARTMENTS USE
LESS OFFICERS
HEARING ~ THE CASE or COMMISSIONER
ENNlsA FOREMAN OR ASSISTANT FOREMAN

HEARING IL TIE CASE or COMMISSIONER
ENNls-A FOREMAN OR ASSISTANT FOREMAN
FOR EVERY FOUR AND HALF MEN.
a hearing given by Judge Landon in the Su-
preme Court yesterday in the matter Of the sus-
pension OF Fire Commissioner Ennis by Mayor
Schleren The charges and specifications allege
waste Of the pubic funds by the suspended Com
missioner in appointing useless forenen and assistant
foremen ana lack If discipline in the management Of
the department The against Ennis was in
the hands Of Corporation Counsel Mcdonald and his
assistants and the defence was conducted by G. j.
Patterson. Ny. Mcdonald opened the ease and read
from the city charter In regard the powers Of the
Mayor Commissioner Ennis serving the last
month Of his fourth term under appointment OF
ex-Mayor Body. Mayor Schieren deemed II his duty
to the city 10 suspend him upon substantial charges
He had appointed nine oremen and sixteen assistant
foremen, making .hty-nine foremen, when there
only foriy-siX fire companies. This caused con-
fusion in the control OF the companies. These APP
pointments were made few DAYS before the term
of office of Commissioner Ennis would expire.
Some Of the foremen were used as messengers. some
drivers for the Chief Engineer and his assistants
and the commissioner others were detailed ~ other
duties to give color to their appointment.
Counsel for Ennis said that there was 10 dis
pute Of the appointment ana detailing Of Che
Deputy Commissioner Moore WAS the first witness
called. lie gave in detail the facts in regard TO the
Fire Department. ON January - there were forty
six fire companies ana hf'Y forcmcn. each receiving
Sl.7G0 year. one detailed TO the harness shop
one at the oil bureau. one TO the carpenter shop
one to the tin and stove shop one in the store
room. one In the sub-ofice in the Eastern District
and one to drive the chief Engineer to fires.
Foreman Campbell. Of Engine Company %. ties
titled that John j. Ennis. nephew OF the o'mmis-
sioncr who was recently appointed foreman Of
that company. was formerly assistant foreman 'i
HI, company. Ennis assigned to duty in place
of any foreman OF the companies IN the ntt-
talon who might be Of dulE. When my MGI'
all duty there was nothing FOR INNS 10 40 '''
wi,pess did take orders from Ennis. 49,.
IVrclnan FiizCerald. OF Engine NJ. H. t'-'''''
thai Foreman McGnnis. Of Company L. vas 49,
signed TO duty to wash the wagon OF cohinl'i ,.',i
Ennis and hitch his horse and go Win MIN l" uie'-
alarm fires Foreman Mccormick ha6 chdltr "i
Engine Company X. McGinnis had at'eh''d -
duties with the Commissioner Tor the 'ast ScNe"
other evidence was given 50 show how Ennis had
hacked me department with useless iorcmrh helyr'
his term, expired 10 debar his successor from ue
proper administration OF inc %Vg. .., r,nn,t
ha removed according 20 Statement; Of the couh-
sci for the Mayor. .i...s- H..
Commissioner Ennis was called as ",," W. a,,.i-
,e.tlned that the promotions he maze were 80" 80
NJ, az necessary bit he admitted that some oi ne
v'cances hav" existed for the last three ana d nan
eyidenC. went to show 'lai iN'l' W.
y fnre,nan or an assistant foreman fOr 'acn i'uI
and a half men in he department. Nhcn ask'I IL
he had done anything as Commissioners ' ~ 20 -
answer A To his reasons for making ~" APP ~,
,,a,.c time he said that he tlohfhl UT.
vac1nces should be filled and ne maj" me alP'i'
ments whou', any r tsre c5mnlssiancr up t. Feb
ruarv J. and desired 10 perform al ''' '"''
the Office. - -.,.i,,, s.,er.l dam
,cine almissons from the Conmissioner The near
ing WAS not COucNl'I.