New-York tribune., 1894-02-06
TO EXAMINE THE BOOKS.
TIE MAYOR ORDERS AN INVESTIGATION
OF FIRE DEPARTMENT METHODS.
RESULT OF THE CHARGES MADE BY EX-CoM-
MISSIONER GRAY-AsGorNDING REVELA-
TONS EXPECTED.

IIONS ENILD I'D
The charges which ex-Fire Commissioner
Henry w. Gray made against his colleagues OF
the Fire Board in Offering his resignation last
week have resulted in an order from the Mayor
r. the Commissioners Of Accounts directing an
Immediate investigation Of the Fire Depart
mont's hooks accounts and methods. The Mayor
declined Yesterday to discuss the subject of Mr
Grav's charges until h. has received the report
Of the Commissioners Of Accounts.
Many who have been aware of the methods of
the Fire Department were predicting toupie
for some Of those Interested in keeping up 'Ht
disrcputablc system before Mr.. Gray tutie
efforts Mt bringing his fellow Commissioners up
10 an honest standard OF administration. II II
now believed that if the Commissioners III -Ao-
counts make an impartial Investigation Oh 'he
doirgs of the Fire Board for a few years back.
they will find plenty of evidence corr'o'-"'Ne ~
Mr. Gray's revelations. Not only were extra hish
prices paid for horses OIL blue vitrioi ana cast
ings as detailed by Mr.. Gray. but it IS said that
the same scheme OF pfering ran through 'He
whole list Of supplies which are used by the de-
par,mcnt # the accounting officers really mean
business. it is expected that they Will put Air'
GRAY on the stand as their first witness
II had not been decided yesterday whether the
Investigation IS to BE- conducted with open seS-
elons or not. but all who remember the eX-
celleut results which came Of the markets ana
doc, investigations in the year 1882 conducted
nv Commissioners Barker and Holahan. with
the active cooperation of Corporation Counael
clark will favor similar opcn proceedings III
the present case.
prv,rTy OF DESTROYING 4 PUBLIC RECORD.
y Mr. GRAY is not mistaken. his former COL
leagues have been guilty Of violating Section so
Of - the Penal Code. which makes IT crime
for 4 public officer or other person to inu'''"I'
or destroy a public record. In Mr. Gray $ iet''r
f. the Mavor hc SAYS that on october ~ last
ne refused 70 approve a bill for Goa! because II
had not been Weighed az the place oi delivery
as the contract required. In place of signing the
BILL he had affixed go II protest SiT.i'5 ms
reasons for declining 10 approV" IT, ii' "'i
found afterWard THAI his protest hdi "''H t''"
fr,r, M. hil and a certificate on which d WAS
n,I Lv the d.sAu~s.ug officer substituted B"
place = the protest. The latter W. ''f''F u
nuhlic record and under the Court oi AppetS N-
clsion in the Peck case. Mh'eV.r de@'.'l't '' =
uahln - punishment. Tho Comni-sl n'i5 'l
Accounts must leave nothing unI'ur d" s'l ''
tho facts surrounding this strange It ,''"'
- 49,. Investigation shows that Nr Hlt> 3
charges arr sustained. /, Will b. the Mayors au'F
to forward the same 10 the Governor ana IT,,
quest the removal If Jonn j. Scf"nrI ana
Anthony Eiokhon fr0m the FIRE J. 'I'' A..
Disirict-Attorncy Follows said that If Mr
GRAY or any other cir1.n made ''ii.i'''',
~ him that public record hdr I'',' h'', ',I. ,
D.. v.orib lay tho case before The Grand !urt-
/, yy,s MT customary. however. - begin -,' u
AN investigation on 3D. W'i" hc"-i tl't i""''.'
lion Tho Colonel said that he had Just re-
turned from Washington. and had had no oplur,
unity ~ acquaiut himself with the facts charged
In Mr. Grays letter.
A DENIAL. FROM MR.. EiCKHoFF
Fire Commissioner Anthony EickhoN yesterday
con,radictcd the report that he and Commits