New-York tribune., 1901-12-08

CROKER PUTS LIFE INTO TIRED NEW
BRIGHTON FIREMEN.

Chief Edward F. Croker at Fire Headquarters
yesterday received request from Coroner John
Seaver Of the Borough Of Richmond put out the
fire II the ruins at Kings plaster mills. New
Brighton. The fire broke out on last Tuesday. and
since that time the ruins have been smouldering.
There said TO be seven bodies in the ruins, and
the coroner wants to get them out. Chief Croker
replied that he would come down as soon as pos
sible. He the hreboat Zophar Mills, az
West Thirteenth-st., and ordered the captain to
make all speed TO New-Brighton. In thirty-fve
minutes the freboat alongside the dock at the
plaster mills Chief Croker found only fireman
on duty there Chief Clarence Cary of the New
Brighton Fire Department. There was only one
lire Of hose working the ruins, and this was
manned by laborers in the employ Of Joseph w
Cody the contractor. Chief Croker asked Chief
Cary why he did not put his men to work Chief
Cary replied that his men had responded to the
fire when it broke out Tuesday and that they
had worked thrty-ive hours consecutvey and
that he could not get them out
do they refuse TO respond?" asked Chief Croker
NO" replied Chief Cary, but they are COM
rletely tired out
.rThev are fremen and they will have to take the
rough work with the smooth. You send out an
alarm now and call out two companies and have
your men stretch in there. and in couple Of hours
YOU can put out the fire that is now smouderfng
in the ruins. There was no necessity for all this
delay, and if you viii call your men out and they
refuse to respond will then act in the matter
Coroner Seaver, who had heard this conversation.
u
sponsihle in this case Am to look 10 you, Chief
Croker. Chief Cary?'
Chief Croker replied: Chief Cary alone is re-
sponsible. As long as he is IN command Of the
department here L cannot take any action If his
men refuse 10 work then 1 will take action"
Coroner Seaver then said to Chief Cary: Il shall
hold you responsible; want you to get your
men TO work on that fire I get those bodies
out"
Chief Cary then called out Engine No and got
his men work As soon the Zophar Mills got
the dock she put two powerful streams OF water
work After playing for two hours she came
back TO this city
Contractor Brady placed a number Of his own
the disposal Of Chief Cary and they helped
the iremen the hose. Before Chief Croker
went away the flames were far reduced that the
followed him into the ruins and under his
direction turned the the spot where the
bodies were supposed TO be.
In interview Chief Croker said:
The city of New-York last year allowed the
Staten Island Fire Department $42. 600 They are
volunteer companies, and they viii lave to do the
take the necessary steps to revoke the charters of
any companies that refuse to respond to fires OF
such nature as this. They will have to take big
fires with little ones, like all other 1renen. whether
they volunteers or paid. Some time ago the
city wanted have . paid department for the
Borough OF Richmond. but the people of that part
expense Of paid department that they were al
lowed have the volunteer system. Their ex-
penses and equipment are paid by the city.
The Chief said that there was excuse for the
fire being allowed burn for long time. as
he was informed by Chief Cary that none of his
men had been working the ruins for the last
two or three days.