The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-26
HOGAN ASKS RETIREMENT
Fire Battalion Chief Says
He Is Unfit For
Duty.

Battalion Chief John Hogan surprised
the members of the Board Of Fire Com
m~issioners last night by applying for re-
tirement on half pay. In the communica-
ton received the Chief reminded the
Board that he had served In the Depart
ment long past the time prescribed by
law making a man eligible to retirement.
Chief Hogan was appointed to the force
in 1871. The same year he was made fore
man of Engine Company No. $, in which
| capacity he served until 1887, when for po-
litical reasons he was suspended. A year
| later he resumed duty as foreman until
December Is, 1889, when with the late
Battalion Chief John Guiton he was APP
pointed to his present position, which he
has successfully held ever since. Mr..
Hogan informs the Board that he con-
siders himself no longer in physical con-
dition to perform his duties.
II the course Of Mr.. Hogan's career IN
the department ne has met with several
severe accidents. Only a short time ago,
while driving to a fire on the west side.
his horse ran away throwing him out and
badly injuring him. He was confined in
the Hospital for several months in con-
sequence, and has never been the same
man since.
After the request had been duly con-
sidered by the Board, Clerk Esterbrook
was directed to communicate with Mayor
Hoos, requesting him to appoint a medi-
cal board, to examine Chief Hogan, as to
his physical fitness to perform his duty.
Another surprise for the board was the
resignation of James Suttcliffe, a truck
man appointed to Truck Company No. 8,
but detailed to Engine Co, No. ., from
the department. Suttcliffe had been sum
moned to appear before the board to
answer charges of drunkenness and in
subordination preferred against him by
Chief John Conway. suttcliffe was evil
IDENTIFY afraid to face he charges made
against him. He did not even attend the
meeting. The resignation received was
Immediately accepted. No appointments
were made.
Just previous to the call of the meet
ing the Commissioners with several rep
resentatives of the A~cetylene Gas Machine
Company of New York, held a consulta-
ton over the advisability of allowing the
company the privilege Of storing two hum
bred pounds of carbide of calcium in
the building located at Nos. 1916 First
street. The matter, in the form of a COM
munication, came up for discussion at the
meeting. 1t was finally decided to refer
the matter to the board as a Committee
of the Whole.
The following letter was received from
Secretary Fred Bugasch, of the Twelfth
Ward Public Improvement Association
AT the last meeting of the Twelfth
Ward Public Improvement Association,
l.. w. Spitznagel and Frank Reilly.
members of this association and
practical mechanics were recommend
ed for the position of inspector on the
new fire house. Should your Board
decide TO appoint an inspector either
of the above is competent and salts
factory residents of this section of the
city.
Mr.. Bugasch at the last meeting of the
Fire Board presented a request asking
for the appointment of himself. Last
night he withdrew his application.
Applications for appointment to the de-
partment were received from Michael J.
Flynn and frank G. Baldwin. Louis Mar
tin was granted four days leave of alb
sence without pay.
Chief Conway reported for the three
weeks ending October Is there had been
t~wenty4three alarms of fire received, four
teen Of which came over the telegraph
system.
After the salary list, amounting to $15,-
100. %. and the pensions, amounting to
$216.65, were passed, the Boar adjourned
until November s.