New-York tribune., 1896-05-30
AIR. SULLIVAN ASTONISHED.
A SUIT FOR $4,000 BROUGHT AGAINST THE
POSTMASTER AS CUSTODIAN OF THE
FEDERAL, BUILDING.


II may not be known TO many people IN Brooklyn
that Postmaster Sullivan is an official OF the treas
ury Department as we'll of the Postohce De-
partment He is the custodian OF the federai
Ruilding and he is such not by virtue OF holding
the office of Postmaster. but by virtue OF an APP
pontment by the Secretary OF the treasury Inc
nosition of custodian involves good deal OF iaoor
and responsibility but 1t carries with 1t no salary
and no emouments OF any KIND
The postoffce occupies the greater part OF inc
building within which also the United states
courts the Office OF the United States District-At-
tornev and the Offices Of the Collector OF Internal
Revenue and the United States Marshal Despite
the additional labor which 1t Involves. MT Sul'aii
finds decided advantages in filling the place OF
custodian since he Is not under the necessity oi
consulting any one else In reference TO Work tha'
needs 10 be done constantly. He is able TO keep
the building In all its parts in good repair ana eooo
condition and the requistions which he makes on
the Treasury Department as a rule promptly
hcnored At the same time. he has no hesta'ion
in saving that the work which he does In this
conacity would II done properly by some one
specially appointed for that purpose cost the lreas
ury Department not less than 5000 year.
The other day Mr.. Sullivan was forcbly reninoea
that there are features connected with the once
% custodian that ere anything but agreeable. To
hts establishment he was served with a summons
and complaint in a suit brought against him per-
sonally by a man who was injured IN the eie'A'oi
OF the Federal Building nearly three years ago.
The accident occurred In November lSs5, "heh' as
Mr. Sullivan recalls. a man attempted 10 oodfu 'he
elevator In a hurry. and In doing so stumbled ana
fell. In falling he struck the elevator man ana
knocked him down The elevator was just staruhS
az tho time the man rushed aboard, and before
the attendant could get up and seize the rope IL
had ascended TO the second story, where the ioo'
of the precipitate passenger was caught ana IN
jured.
Nothing more was heard OF the matter, tho
Postmaster says, until the complaint was served
on him recently. Such a thing as an action against
him because Of this occurrence had never entered
his mind. He at once communicated with the
Treasury department. with View to having 'he
defence In the action put In the hands OF Ohi'eu
States Dstrct-Attorney Bennett. ana the heces-
sary steps were taken by the oihclals IN "Ash-
ington. II turned out. however. that the plaintiff
had removed to New-York and 1t is his preference
that the case should cone trial In that city.
Accordingly steps have been taken 10 have the
defence on the part Of Mr.. Sullivan conducted 10y
Dictrict- Attorney Maciarlane OF Ne".i oLh "a Sr o @
MIR Sullivan does not feel apprehensive in refer
ence 10 the outcome of the suit although the man
whose foot hurt In 1893 claims 10 be emitted
10 damages TO the amount Of so,eA He says tina.
as custodian of the Federal Building he acts simply
as the agent Of the Treasury Department. In en-
Various capacities in the building He never makes
an appointment his own account, but simply
sends on a recommendation TO Washington; ana
the same is true In case the discharge OF any one
becomes necessary.
Only in an emergency does he act on his own
responsibility, and then he makes a temporary APP
poin,ment leaving 1t TO the Treasury Department
TO confirm what he has done There is consid-
cradle force employed in the building. there are
engines and dynamos to be looked after constantly.
as well as the cleaners. The Postmaster IL
wholly at a loss to how he be held per-
sonay responsible for the alleged neglect Of the
elevator man that is said TO have caused the acct
dent 1t will be denied. Of course that the at
tendant was careless, since the man ran against
him and threw him down. and contrbutory ncgli-
gence on the part of the plaintiff will be alleged
in the answer 10 the complaint.
II is doubtful whether the action will be
hrot al