The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-29
PRAISES TIE POLICE.
Chief Murphy Highly Commends
the Work Of His Men at the
Newark Avenue Fire.

AT the meeting of the Board of Police
Commissioners, yesterday afternoon, a
communication was received from Chief
Murphy, commencing officers for efficient
service at the recent fire, under the re-
serve system now in operation.
The Chief said:-.sThe great fire re-
Gently on Newark avenue and First
street, that occurred after midnight, in
tenement district. when the people,
whose homes were being destroyed, were
IN bed, gave US an opportunity to test
the efficiency of the reserve system, as
is now in operation in this department
The alarm for this fire was what is
known in this department as bound
ary alarm, which brings the reserves
from two precincts to the fire, conse-
quently ten men arrived at the fire as
quickly as the firemen. Sergeant Cody
and Roundsman Frey were in command
of the detail until my arrival with the
reserves from the other precincts,
which increased the force to about thir-
ty men and four Sergeants. Since the
adoption of this reserve system, where
by there is about one-eighth of the force
in the stations at all times of the day
and night, ready to be moved in patrol
"N5oAAo ~ AlCCt diiy eiuSTSGLCy.
There have been many instances of
valuable service rendered, but 1 doubt
II at any time the service of the re-
serves was SO much needed as at this
fire. Their prompt arrival and intelli-
gent work, I believe, saved lives and
property on that occasion. take pleas
ure in commencing to you, gentlemen,
the officers and men of the Sixth Sec
ton, who were on reserve that morning,
and would particularly mention Ser
geant Cody, Roundsman Frey and Pa
trolmen John Dougherty, Pritchard,
Hawkins, Lenahan, Flanagan and John
w. Murphy, who performed acts of
bravery in my presence, in getting wom-
en- and children out of burning build
ings.''
Another communication from the
Chief stated that at the National Con-
yention of Chiefs of Police, which he
recently attended, the Bertillion system
of identifying criminals was adopted as
a necessary adjunct of police work, and
1t was recommended that the Board pro-
appropriation for the Introduction of
this system into the Police Department
of this city.
Both communications were ordered en-
tered in full upon the minutes.
The Clio Wheelmen invited the BIZ
cycle police to enter race at the an
ferred to the Chief, with power
Thomas Harrington wanted removed
from his property quantity of earth,
which WI was was thrown upon it while a wall
grounds. It was referred to counsel
The payroll, amounting to $2S, 1854. .3s, was
passed and warrants ordered drawn for
payment of salaries of Commissioners.
BY. resolution by President Abernethy
Philip Bonsper and George Heck were
promoted from chancemen to patrolmen,
and George F. Conklin appointed chance
man. Patrolman Steele was ordered
transferred from the Central Railroad
ferry to duty in the Fourth precinct, and
Patrolman Luyster from the Fourth pre-
einet to the Central ferry Patroman
Mackey was transferred from patrol
wagon driver in the Fifth precinct, to
patrol duty, and Patrolman A. B. Nc
Intyre was assigned to duty as wagon
driver.
A contract for wiring the station
houses for electric lights was awarded
to Lewis Bates, he being the lowest bid
der, $3.50.