New-York tribune., 1900-10-19
.SCANNELL DEFENDS FIRENEN
ATTRIBUTES DEROGATORY REMARKS
TO LAWYERS CONFUSING CUES
TIONS AT CLIFFORDS TRIAL.

The trial OF Foreman James D. Clifford OF Hook
ard Ladder No. Is, charges Of insubordinaton
and violating the rules of the Fire Department In
belonging to an organization designed to influence
legislation. resumed yesterday afternoon be-
fore Commissioner scannel at Fire Headquarters
Onief Croker interested listener
James J. Conway, a member Of Hook and Ladder
No. Is. at time sergeant-at-arms of the old as
sociatiOn, told OF a meeting of the association IN
May June at which a named DAILY was ad-
mitted by CHfford's orders. He made address and
urged all the members to join the knights or
Labor saying that it would benefit them materially
in getting legislation at Albany. Conway said he
had gone with Clifford to see ex-Police Commits
sioner Charles H. Murray. They had urged him to
his influence with Governor Roosevelt TO help
along the Ford bill.
James J. Halligan. Of Engine Company No Sc,
said he had left the organization, of which Captain
Clifford the president, in September At the
time resolutions were passed indorsng General
Tracys candidacy for Mayor Clifford was not
president Of the association active member.
Cross-questioned their efforts legis-
Iatlon regarding the pension fund the witness said
that the time the organization had the permis-
sion and sanction of the Fire Commissioners then
in Office consisting of Messrs. Sheffield, La Grange
and Ford They had, however addressed the Com
missioners to obtain that permission as a commit
Of dremen. committee Of any organ
ization
Assistant Foreman Edward S. Root. Of Engine
Company No. 50, testified that he a charter
member Of the Benevolent Association and its first
president. While he did 1ot believe that the dis
cipline the Department as good as it had
been he would not admit that the force was in
efficient He found his rule brave ana
fearless and always ready to oDey orders II they
not would bring charges against them;
We'll, you the first TO speak klncly OF the
Departments efficiency" said J. V. V. Olcott. OF
Captain Clifford's defence, and l am glad 70 near
one officer who does not characterize the hFemen
Of this city towards"
'What's that?' broke in Commissioner Scannell
member of the Department here"
''Oh, yes" answered Mr.. Olcott, "one of your wit
nesses Captain Freel, I believe his name was,
testified tina. he had take hremen by the shouI-
ders and physically force them Into fires
LAS understood II - continued the Commissioner
what he said that when he ordered men late
dangerous positions they would look AT MIN as
to say, Why don't you select somebody else? Ine
fact Of the matter IS that you lawyers are TOO
smart for fremen and that you confuse them @ un-
der cross examination. They don't actually Know
what they are saying. Some OF your witnesses
have come to and told me that they were sorry
for things they had been goaded into saying nnIer
the of severe cross IRE OF questions l ne
Commissioner then paid glowing tribute to the
bravery OF the Department. Discipline was neeced
and he intended to have it. Captain clifford would
have fair tral-a trial that would be falr 10 hlIL
to the Department and the public as Well
At the request Of Mr.. Ocott the hearing was ad-
journed until p. n. next Wednesday,