New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-22
SAYS Unjust GO
HAS ORDERED CHARGES AGAINST HEAD
OF THE FIREAIENS MUTUAL
BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.

James D. Clifford president OF the FIremen's
Mutual Benefit Association. Republican in poll
tics, asserts that there are interests at work
which threaten break up the association lie
made long statement for publication yesterday
in which he hints that Chief Croker and Fire Com
missioner Scannel prosecuting the members
of the association because they sought in 1895 to
get through the Legislature bills increasing their
salaries According to Mr. Clifford, Messrs. Croker
and ScanneI have chosen the present time to make
war upon the association because they think that
money is being collected by the association to
influence legislation.
Commissioner Scannem and Chief Croker were
out with statements last night, in which they say
that new charges viii be brought against Clifford.
and they declare that the old association Will be
broken up. Commissioner Scannell said:
Hereafter any men who belong a political
ganization who are connected with this Department
VIII have charges preferred against them: I9ey
violate Section 73S of the charter which PROVIDES
that any member Of any uniformed force of the
viii break any offenders and will let them go
10 the courts for reinstatement II the courts IRIS
should reinstate them the responsibility would rest
with the courts and not with me Ihese men VAN am
on the force but when men do get many OF
them have Joined some political organlzatlon ana
! estimate that there are over ten thousand men
In New-York without work. and they would be only
glad TO get in the department. Inc hISiieII
90 not have. TO work-actualy work-more than
The Statistics Of last year show that the hook
and ladder companies were actually out at work
companies At work 275 hours or approximate
In support of my argument that the are bet
ter paid than most men they get Sts5 a year aft e
twenty years in the service they are retired on a
paw of 500 year for life.
There are a number Of other occupations just as
dangerous and risky the Fire Department In
those positions, such as blasters, oflose i
ers on high buildings the men have to work from
eight 10 twelve hours day
Commissioner Scanned has ordered Chief Croker
10 investigate the benevolent association and me
fremen in general. and has declared that men
found belonging to political organizations or tam
pering with politics in any way will nave charges
brought against them.
Fire chief Croker expressed himself emphat-
fcaly last evening when the subject or the FIRE
mems Mutual Benefit Association was broached
10 him.
The association IS a violation OF Section TS9 OF
the charter and the rules and regulations OF the
Department" he said. The Commissioner has
made up his mind that It is detrimental 10 the
Fire Department and 10 discipline, am OF me
collects money for political purposes and TO lnnu-
THE association does not contain any officers Of
the Department except those who have been pro
NOTED from the ranks while they We're ,t
Of the oTganlzatlon; A new associate ms DeS cen
formed and i VII be open 10 9J0Se at T5e
head or those N the ranks or lIle 1Je1 nc
new association IS purely benevolent and was or
e 9lIeI men M and officers as We'll it viii be in no
way a violation of law or the rules or regulations
allowed nor will the association exert any infu-
ence on matters Of that kind - 49,. .,..--
Ae CAPTAIN CliffOrd'S statement that there
has been any persecution in the Depart ment
absolutely deny all knowledge Of such persecu-
This whole trouble started in 1895. when the
three of his Republican friends were the advisers
of that board, and they have been making trouble
's'yill You prefer charges against Captain Cliff
has ordered it"