New-York tribune., 1901-10-09
POLICE LET FIRES BURN.
CHIEF CROKER SAYS PATROLMEN DON'T
SEND ARMS PROMPTLY.

Unless there IS a change for the better in the
present police system disastrous fires In this city
may be expected In the early morning hours" Fire
Chief Croker said yesterday. Many policemen
who ought TO be the watch for fires on their
posts go sleep about midnight and stay asleep
until about daylight. AT that time In the morning
few citizens In the streets, and the Fire De-
partment must depend the vigilance OF the
police to prevent fires getting a good start In
stead OF being yiglant the police let fires burn for
hour before sending IN an alarm.
THE first alarm for the fire at Fulton and Front
sts turned IN at l:H O'Clock this morning
Engine No. 4, in charge of Lieutenant DAWN turned
into Front-st less than thirty seconds later, and
the men had a good view of the fire. At that time
the entire building in flames Patrolman Holly
was supposed TO be on that post, but he did not
send in the ALARM and could not tell who did send
# in Probably he could tell if he was on post
i was the way TO the fire thirty-five seconds
after the first alarm was rung, and when 1 went
down the Bowery the whole sky was lighted up by
the flames. The fire must have been burning about
an hour before the first alarm rung.
Last Saturday morning had a fire at West
and Desbrosses SITS. which burned hour before
the alarm given On Sunday morning there
was another such fire at Madson-ave. and Fifty
eighth-st. We have positive information that that
fire was burning thirty-five minutes before the
first alarm sent in. motorman Mad
ison-ave. car saw the fire at 2:20 a. m, and the
alarm did not come in until 2:55 q. m. Some Of
the police officials have criticised for what
said about the FIRE in west-st. the other morning,
but telling the truth. and / am not willing
70 have blame laid on the Fire; Department be-
cause OF the negligence OF the police"
Some of the police officials Of long service have
been predicting trouble account of the three
platoon system which Police Commissioner Murphy
established recently Under that system there are
comparatively few policemen duty in the streets
at night Their posts have been made so long
that they cannot cover them properly If they try.
find IL easier TO go TO sleep in sheltered areas or
in back rooms of barrooms trusting 10 luck that
no fires break out or burglars break In on their
posts
Police Commissioner Murphy was told later of
The criticism Chief Croker had made the Police
Department. Don't you think II would be the
proper thing for the chief of department TO COM
nunicate with the department he attacked?" said
the Commissioner. He hasn't communicated with
me-hasn't said a word 10 about IL. It's
fashionable subject now, attacking the Police De-
partment-"
Even from a friendly source?"
Yes" replied the Commissioner; 1.-THE election
is coming on
You don't suppose thai Chief Croker is work
ing for the other side, do you?"
u don't know what he is working for said
Colonel Murphy.
Before leaving Police Headquarters last night
Commissioner Murphy said he had instructed Chief
Inspector Cortright TO investigate the assertions
made by Fire Chief Croker that the police
negligent in turning in fire alarms. He added that
if the conditions described by Chief Croker were
true the captains sergeants and roundsmen could
he held responsible.