The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-22
HOGAN'S CASE IGNORED
Fire Commissioners Ballot
In Vain For an Assistant
Chief Engineer.

There was a meeting of the Fire Conn
mfssioners last evening at Fire HeadqudT-
tiers, No. al Bay street., and the attend
ance Of spectators was the largest. seen in
this building in a long time.
They came to see If there would be any
revelations in the Hogan case, and they
were disappointed.
The Clerk read a communication from
the Twelfth Ward Improvement Associa-
ton asking to nave one of the Co1nnlis
sipners present at a meeting which will
be held at Nagle's Hail, on Lincoln street
and the Boulevard, On January 26. The
communication was referred to the Com
mittee of the Whole.
William Crow, OF Engine Company No.
IL. asked a cave of absence of twensy-
four hours. 1t was referred to Ctief
Conway with power. The report Of
Chief Conway for the past two weeks
showed that fifteen still alarms had been
received and eight telegraph alarms.
superintendent of Horses Arrowsmitr
reported that during the past two weeks
six horses had been treated and all re-
turned to duty.
DR.. Lochner, the medical examiner.
stated that sixteen men had been treated
since his last report two weeks ago, and
every one had ben sent back TO duty with
the exception Of Captain Swick, who IS
still under medical care.
Walter Hartwig, driver of Engine Co..
No. is. was brought to trial for reckless
driving. He pleaded guilty, and when
sworn told such a straightforward story
that he was let off with a reprimand.
The accident for which Hartwig was
brought before the Commissioners oc-
CURED on December 10, at 9:15 A. M, while
responding to an alarm of fire. iart-
wigs statement was that on the day of
the accident he was driving his team at
a very rapid gait down Monticello avenue
When he reached Aston place, which street
he knew he must turn down he saw a
on, and at the same time held up one
hand to notify the driver Of the wagon TO
stop. The driver did not heed Hartwigs
warning, and in order to prevent the APP
paratus from crashing into the wagon, he
turned short oward the gutter, and IN
doing SO the rear axle broke, oyerturning
the engine and causing considerable dam
age to the apparatus.
Commissioner Erickson asked IL that
engine had not been broken before, and
HartWig replied that 1t had, but IL was
only the shaft pole that snapped.
Commissioner Brennan in speaking to
Hartwig told him that he must be more
careful in future. as he had not only his
own life in his lands but the lives of his
companions and the public, and reminded
him thai if he was brought before the
Board again he would be dealt with very
severely.
A recess was then taken and after a
wait of a half hour the Board reas-
sembled.
The payroll for the month of December,
amounting TO S15.2 62. Is, was passed. A
resolution was passed giving to Captain
Henry o. Bissell $66.66 for extra services
at headquarters, in acting as assistant
engineer since the death of John T. Dem
mead Pensions were ordered paid
there was any further business before the
Board. There was a profound silence and
each Commissioner looked at the others.
The silence was broke by Commissioner
Mills getting up and moving TO proceed to
the election OF an assistant chief engi-
neer. The first ballot resulted as follows:
John Watt, Captain Birch and
Jame Coleman, each one vote. Coleman
is a Democrat. Another ballot was or
Lowell, Captain Birch and Captain Quinn,
each one vote. The third ballot resulted
the same and then Commissioner Bren-
nan announced that the election would
be laid over until the next meeting, mex
Wednesday.