The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-06-27

SERIOUS CHARGES.
Fire Commissioners Investi-
gate Stories About Fire
@'sg men.
CHIEF CONWAY ACCUSED
Women in the Case-Alleged Visits
to Saloons in U~niform-Men
Were Often Drunk.
CHIEF CONWAY ACCUSED

Nos. Z and u, which adjoin each other
on Summit avenue. Thomas Toner IS
c-ommandant of No. II and William
Kelly of No. z. The headquarters of
Battalion Chief Kern. a son of ex-Com-
missioner Kern, is also at this place.
The principal matter to pc investigated
was one affecting Chief Engineer Con-
way. 1t appears that Conway and
one c.. J. Ryan married sisters, the
daughters of Mrs. Sullivan. Conway.
many years ago, opened a saloon and
became prosperous. The relations be-
tween him and the Ryans were ami
cable until about four years ago when
Ryan opened a saloon opposite. After
that. Ryan says, Conway became jeal-
Gus of him and friendship ceased.
A few weeks ago it was rumored that
Chief Conway had occasion to speak
to Mrs. Ryan about certain stories about
him, alleged to have originated with her,
and this was the beginning of the
trouble aired last night before the Com
missioners.
Commissioner Mills, at the opening of
the meeting, on the motion of Commits
s.oner Brennan, said the board would
meet as a committee of the whole to
hear any complaints from citizens.
President Mills said that invitations had
been extended to these people and If
any of them were present they would
be heard.
Mrs. C. ]. Ryan, of No. 657 Summit
avenue walked fro5n5fhe crowded lobby
to a seat within the raiaesand was about
to tell her story when Commissioners
Gone insisted that the proper course to
pursue would be for the compliments
to state their grievances in writing. II
the statements were sufficient to war
rant an investigation then the board
could order one. He concluded by say
ing he would not object to the present
proceeding if the testimony was given
under oath. After some discussion the
board decided to receive oral complaints
under oath. and Mrs. Ryan was sworn.
and thisgis her story
TWO, NREMEN ACCUSED.
"Ohief Conway has accused me of
having said that I had seen women
about engine house No. 7 on Decoration
Day. 1 did not say this, but said I.had
seen them on other occasions. I have
seen women there at all hours of the
night. and also I have seen Fireman
James Allen meet women there and
walk away with them, remaining
away from the engine house one and
two hours at a time. On one occasion
I told our bartender not to serve Allen
and Fireman Kelly with drinks. for they
had two women with them and neither
was Kelly's wife. I don know Aliens
wife. ~
Cross-examined by COMMISSIONS Cone
witness said:-'It is not an uncommon
thing to see women at the ngine house
eWere.thesa men under the influence of
liquor?" asked Commissioner Brennan.
vs II c 3nans,sn Say. m ! b ay Ro s,so B sesn w on ST.
Paurs avenue near the. engine house" o.,
$40 you live near the engine house,"
asked Commissioner Cone.
II live opposite. ] have lived there three
neighborhood twelve years"
You are not o,,y very frleein = "a aaid cn Me-
w were very friendly until after I
og DEnov q s 9assSn a Gbie sfne eon aRsn fa and S0m his
family nave not been friendly"
Can you see the engine house plainly
from where you live?"
Eyes, I have every opportunity for see
ing what takes place there"
And you saw women" persisted Mr..
/ Gone. a :.
Yes, frequently. Why, they would
come around my house with the fire.
"Why did you refuse the two firemen
drinks on the occasion you referred to-"
Because the women with them were
not their wives"
Were the hremen INT women disor-
II don't know that they acted disorder
1y, but it was twelve O'Clock at night. L
don't sell beer to women; / sell to men
The neighborhood is improving. I con,
Pratulate fine neighborhood," commented
Commissioner Cone.
One of these two men is no longer a
fremen.I T. believe" ~insinuated Mr.. Cone.
81 believe Kelly is out of the Depart.
ment. 1 have seen Kelly with different
women. I have never seen the women
and Allen do anything wrong except to
meet at the engine house and walk away
SAW DRUNKEN FTREMEN.
Mrs. Thomas F. Snowden., wife OF the
foreman Of Engine No. T. who lives IN a
tiied:-'Tve seen, women talking. to fire.
men at the engine house; don't know
ways saloon, and I have often seen Chief
conway and other firemen with women
there. and I have seen them drunk, not
to Conway for eight years"
"How recently have you seen fremen
go in the saloon" asked COMMISSIONS
That IS Since the published accusa-
aHow often did You see eremen enter
the place.? continued Mr.. Brennan.
Very often: both in the day and night
they go in Conway's
,,ss II ob sisefted If e e9claimed sa tSe c ssiag
who had been an attentive listener to
the testimony" that saloon is not mine
I can produce the owner in fifteen min
utes. Chief Conway don't run the saloon
and if he gets anything out of it that is
his business"
1--WE know the rules of this Depart
ment,'' said Commissioner Brennan. in
a loud voice, and if we knew the Chief
kept the saloon it would be our duty to
dismiss him"
missioner Gone begun a c-ross-examina-
ton by asking:-
sHow DO 9 know this is Chief Con
ways saloon?"
Il don't KNOW" answered Mrs. Snow
den, that it's Conway's saloon. but
every one in the neighborhood says it
D you know that the men drink"
CHIEF CONWAY ACCUSED.
ST have seen the Chief and his SUBJ
p~rdinates come out of the saloon
trunk"
How often?'
Very often-a dozen times or more"
do you know Chief Conway
Eyes. L know Chief Conway; there he
Isl pointing to the Chief.
"Have you seen the Chief or his sub
prdinates go in the saloon Inc full uni
VERY often"
buried Commissioner Cone.
Eyes sir"
what is a full uniform?"
1.-THE men wore their double breasted
roats and caps. I am willing to sweal
the men were in full uniform and or
2 49, l. - 1850 TO- 1ra So