The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-19
fhUNSTON ACROKER WITNESS.
EX-POLICE DEPUTY 4 CRAM;
NOR Az EXPERT on FIRES.
Ce,s . Chance to say That Tie Didn't Think
the Park Avenue Hotel In Danger
Witness Grows Angry When Asked to
Explain what Firemet "Rubbers' Are.

Former Deputy Police Commits sioner
Thurston was a witness yesterday for
Fire Chief Edward J.. Croker at the latter =
trial at Fire Headquarters. Thurston is
known among the fircmen as fire crank, =
that Is, he has been going to fires for great
many years and will leave his dinner or
get out Of bed at any hour 10 attend fire
Il have been present al every large fire
in this city since is6s,' he testified. On
the night Of the armory fire he went TO
Police Headquarters from the theatre and
Commissioner Partridge said 20 him
.-Thurston. you like to 60 10 fires. There s
big fire up at the Seventy-hrst Regiment
Armory. Go up there, will you, and keep
things straight"
The witness said there had been a great
deal Of friction between the police and the
Arsmen and TINT was what the commits.
sioner meant by keeping things straight.
'When ] reached the place the arinory
was a mass of flames. There were num-
Der OF snail explosions az tho ammunition
caught fire." he said.
did you notice the direction of the wind
that night" Croker's counsel asked.
THE sparks seemed 10 be blowing south
over the car stables"
How many times we're you in the Park
Avenue Hotel that night"
''Three times,
Did you consider the hotel in danger
from the arnory fre?-
Assistant Corporation Counsel Whit
man objected on the ground that the wit
ness was not an expert and Commissioner
Sturgis sustained the objection
-Did you advise the hotel guests TO vacatc
the building'- Mr.. Whitman asked.
81 did not, a. did not consider the hotel
in any danger from the armory fire."
''Did Chief Croker once try TO obtain
dSs you ,,s, a a, position in the municipal
Mr.. .Delany objected and the qucs ton
was withdrawn.
Edva ard Mahoney. the engineer Of the
Park Avenue Hotel. testified that the lower
part Of the elevator shaft in which the fire
started was. shut of from the upper portion
INTO IT, next " day he served 81. sevc ssI
openings into the base Of the shaft.
Cornelius Desmond of the Department Of
Water Supply testified that several hydrants
IN the vicinity OF First avenue and Thirty
second street were on, of order on III. night
Of the Wicke fire and absolutely useless.
Joseph W Cody, who supervised the shor-
ing Of the walls Of the Wickc building after
the fire for the Building Department. said
at the time Of the fire
did you speak 10 Chief Croker about il?
Mr.. Whitman asked.
4 was talking to him while lie was put.
ting on his ruhEers-."
What do you mean Ivy rubbers?'- in.
QMred Mr.. Whitman
Look a-here. young Teller II you're
looking for trouble. you'll get it. In,
something Of fighter myself" responded
the witness, hotly.
~ only asked for an explanation" SAID
the Assistant Corporation Counsel
That's right. Well get along quietly
then. His rubhers We're his coat. boots
and helmet" said the witness, who was
then excused.
The hearing was ad our.eG to 10 O'Clock
Monday, Mr ne'nnv said he expected
10 finish his case by Tuesdays session.