New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-28
FIRE CHIEFS RETIREMENT.
BONNER TALKS OF NAGGING. BUT SAYS
HE WASN'T FORCED OUT.
DEPUTY CHIEFS CROKER. GrcoUEL AND LALLY
MENTIONED FOR THE COMMAND OF THE
DEPARTMENTAL RECENT UN-
POPULAR ORDER.

DEPARTMENTAL RECENT UN
POPULAR ORDER
Tho announcement OF the coming retirement Of
Fire Chief Hugh Bonner caused considerable ex-
element In the Fire Department yesterday ana
something OF a shock 20 the managers Of fire IN
surance companies Mr. Bonner has been regarneu
as the best head the Fire Department ever mas
had and there were heard yesterday many express
sions of fear that the excellence OF the Department
would not be maintained under his successor In
tho Fire Department there seemed to be a prevail
ing belief that Chief Bonners retirement had been
practically forced IN order that Deputy Chlet
Croker Richard Cookers nephew, or some other
Tammany favorite might be promoted 10 the head
AZ the Department Chief Bonner has declared
that he was not forced to ask for retirement and
has said that he wanted to give up his responsible
and arduous office in order to have more time WIN
his family. He said yesterday that he had been
"nagged" considerably in the discharge OF his du-
ties recently. but that had nothing to do with his
retirement.
John J. scannell the Fire Commissioner. had
conference with Chief Bonner yesterday morning
and received Mr.. Bonnor's application for retire
ment on May l. He said ne would be obliged TO
accept the application and grant the pension. lie
declined TO say who would be Mr. Bonners sue
cessor II was not true. ne said that he had de-
sired Chief Boomers retirement. He had urged
Mr. Bonner not to retire but the Chief had yielded
To the entteaties Of his wife 10 leave the Depart
ment. The opportunity to be the head Of new
school for instruction in fighting fires was present
cd to Mr. Bonner also, and he decided to take ad-
vantage Of II.
AS a possible successor to Chief Bonner the
name OF Deputy Chief Benjamin A. Gicquel is men
toned and II is said that he is the most available
man for the place-that he is the one man who
could cement the differences between the officers
and men Of the Department. Chief Gicquel mas
been a member Of the Department since its organi-
~r.p1yr Of fnT no
Deputy Chief Edward F. Croker nephew Of
Richard Croker. Still another candidate for the
place is Deputy Chief Thomas Lally. Tammany
favorte .,.
The announcement Of Chief Bonner's retirement
followed closely upon an order issued by nm 70 tne
force on Tuesday which caused mucn ny en
pected three tweve-hour night leaves month as
they formerly received as II was promseo py ss
they should have But the order granted only three
to o Sen a. to They said that
day leaves Of little service TO them az tnsy
heat OF the day and had no time to spend with
their families Company commanders also com com
Companies would be reduced during the meal hours
TO the danger point At night there are no meal
sIH - s sna me leave e'
Commissioner scannell yesterday replied 70 me
letter of Chief Bonner asking TO he retred on IldS
/ Mr. Scannell said in his reply that i vas WIN
feelings of regret that he acknowedge1 me m Ioes
Chief Bonner's retirement causes NeW-f ork 70 US
one OF its best fremen who by his long service mss
made his name famous Throughout ne -,
Commissioner Scannell stated that the Chlel Won
was satisfactory 10 him, and that ne hau s tphnt
many pleasant hours with him ana uusteu tn 10
he would succeed in the new enterprise ne was
going into , ~or~e.
The fire underwriters of this city sincerely regret
the determination OF Chief Bonner 10 rere IRON ON
the Fire Department their high oplI19 in
the following estimate Of the Chief given yesterday
by President William n. Kremer of the German
American Insurance Company, VINO "a! saiu prnrer is
going 10 retire No note of praise can be too nigh
for him For forty years he was connected WIN
the Department. and IN al thdt ',l a re capable
head Of the Department has been tredne I W. W.
rnonstratod He leaves the place ne has nled SO Amy
with the well-wishes OF the insurance HateIna Mi
not be satisfied unless his successor Is equally
capable $40. ,. 49,. 1-,ro r,aror,roert
I'm 70 its present state of efficiency That standard
must be maintained. As to whether rates Will go
M now that he Is out nothing can be sald TOT IL
will all depend upon The may 0b we Occurred
to some people that because the Depar tilent Ia, ndS
had so much TO do of late its efficiency has peen
impaired That Is not the case The trouble
lies in, The fact that the city has an inadequate
supply OF water" -,
E.ire commissioner Scannell, when at the
sorry that Mr.. Bonner Is leaving the service some
five or six years ago he asked to be retired when
in the Department and prevailed upon up MN o
and we could not prevail on him TO remain II ne
renort that he is being forced out Is absurd III L
was put on oath couldn't tel wnethep Do, n M ~
a ladder to rescue another man ] never ask ms
politics don't know the politics OF me unitorn o
force and don't care AS for Bonner En-
some one temporarily but I cannot say who l!ally'
I understand Is not eligible. Whoever succeeds Bon
ner has to go through Civil Service examination