New-York tribune., 1902-08-23
CHIEF CROKER ON STAND.
HE SAYS THAT SCANNELL ORDERED
HIM TO SEND HOSE TO THE
POLO GROUNDS.

Chief Croker appeared at Fire Headquarters yes
terday in response to subpoena 10 testify al the
hearing of the charges against Chief Ryan Mt
CT Cker had been seated only few moments when
the door opened. and Acting Chief Purroy stepped
into the Purroy appeared to be greatly sur
prised at seeing Croker there. Without speaking
to the deposed Chief started for his chair next
TO that occupied by the Fire Commissioner. Croker
showed no sign OF recognition, either, not even
noticing the Acting Chief.
What is your present position?' was asked of
Chief Croker when ne took the stand
'I am Chief Of the department" said Croker.
with positive air
1T has beer testified here this trial that there
are sixteen lengths OF hose nozzle and plug
coupling belou ging the Fire Department In use
at the Polo Grounds, Do you know how they got
there?'' asked Mir. McCUrdy.
Yes" replied the witness.
..Vyho directed them TO so there"
commissioner ScanneH directed me. and I gave
the orders 70 Chief Ryan"
SO in sending the hose up there Chief Ryan
simply obeylns the direction of the Commissioner
Yes. sir
Did you ever own ocomo0ie?'
Yes One of my owa and which try
ing"
Did you ever have any repairs made it a
the repair sAop?'
Yes. I had q Few necessary repairs made to the
engine"
Did you use the locomobile for department use?''
Yes always for department; use
Commissioner Stursis tn afternoon called 10
the stand Robert Fisher an expert. who had testt-
fed Thursday favora5ly Ryan to the quality
OF some ash On being asked by the Commissioner
to who had accompanied him on the lnspeS-
ton OF the wood in the shop. Fisher said that
other experts including Barrett and Boyer. to-
gether with Chief Ryan. William Moore and John
Warner, employees in the repair shops. had
made the inspection Asked as to what ash he
had examined he said that there piles
one on floor and the other against the westerly
side the building.
And it was as these piles that you testi-
fed concerning the quality yesterday?' asked
Commissioner StUrgis-
Yes"
Were you told by any that that was the
timber TO inspectedT''
Yes. they said that one pile was old timber and
the other pile timber"
Commissioner Sturgis then recalled Captain
Fisher who has been in charge Of the repair shops
since the suspension of Chief Ryan. He asked
concerning the piles OF ash, and said: They
were both purchased under my orders, and pur-
chased since Chief Ryan left the shop.
Then the experts opinion based solely on
the lumber purchased by your asked the Commis-
sioner.
Captain Fisher said that there Were two other
piles of ash small piles. which had been bought
during the administration of Ryan Mr. McCurdy
Captain Fisher. were you present when the
lumber was picked out and inspected by the ex-
ny request of Chief Ryan I remained down.
Il didn't ask you that" cried Mccurdy "I want
yes or no."
Mr. McCurdy said that he would prove that an; m;
which had been purchased by Chief Ryan, and
that that the pile examined by the experts
Chief Ryan then called to the stand in his
machInlst He had worked his trade the
Brooklyn Navy Yard and other places. He
appointed to the Fire Department in 1871 as an en-
gneer In 1885 he won the prize offered by the Fire
Department for inventing an apparatus TO throw
lifeline a high building, and for this was pro-
cd he an
made chief OF construction and repairs to appara-
tus He said that he had never exceeded the ap-
preparation of his department, and he explained
the unusual amount of overtime which occurred
near the close of each year by saying that at the
end of the year a large amount of his appropria-
tion remaining unexpended. he had got permission
from the president of the board to the money
were the hardest months on the apparatus He de-
clared that he never did any work for Comnls-
sioner Scannell that was not ordered by Commits
sioner Scanneli personally or by Chief shea In the
last few years" he added, II got so that ddn
know whether the shop stuff belonged to scannel
or 10 the department" Scannell. he said, had per-
sonaIly ordered him make the dog collar.
I'm the acquisition Of r'aterlal of all kinds for
the depa rtment.' asked Mr.. McCurdy. did you
ever profit by much as penny"
NO. nor by fraction of penny.
Commissioner Sturgis asked
''If the Commissioner should give you an order, Is
II your duty to obey itT
do So ,.o,
II would under the rules. and leave him to take
as there anything in connection with your de-
II can't think of anything in connection with the
repair shop which wouldn't do II ordered ny my
This brought the hearing to an end Mr.. Mccurdy
has unit, September to hand in a brief
DT -1r