New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-25
SEVEN CROKER CHARGES.
LACK OF JUDGMENT AT PARK-AyE.
FIRE ONE.
CHEF READS ACCUSATIONS IN HEAD
QUARTERS WAITING RoOM-TRIAL
ON NEXT MONDAY.

ON NEXT MONDAY
The charges against Fire Chief Croker were
| made by Commissioner Sturgis. according to his
announcement of Tuesday yesterday. thew being
read to Croker after. his suspension had been re-
voked
The details of the charges. containing seven
counts summarized, are as follows.
That as the result Of an order bv Chief Croker
to all chiefs of battalion to direct their comnanv
commanders to discontinue all inspections in
their company districts except such as shouI1 he
ordered from headquarters no reports were sent
in of the continued violations of the law regard
ing precautions against fire by the proprietors
of the Park Avenue Hotel.
That Chief Croker improperly ordered lines
backed out from buildings in East Thirtv-sec-
ond-st. at the Wicke fire, and the buildings de-
serted. failure OF judgment which cost 81 49,
600, and was in violation of the rules and regu-
lations.
That az fire in East feminist ne ordered
the return of engine and truck companies to
their quarters when it was improper to do So
causing the fire to spread and loss of 1921 600
this also being in violation of the rules and reg
uiations-
That he showed want of Judgment. skill and
neglect which caused unnecessary loss of life,
limb and property at the Park Avenue Hotel
fire. and that he made no effort 10 protect the
hotel or save its occupants.
That he sent a false report to Commissioner
Scannell regarding the Wcke fire, when he
said lack of water prevented efficient work,
there being no scarcity of water.
That he violated the State constitution in ac-
cepting free transportation from a steamship
company, various railroads and the Metropoli-
tan Street Railway Company.
That he sent horses. vehicles and harnesses to
the department stables and shops for stabling
and repairing for his private use
That he caused hose to be delivered TO Andrew
Freedman at the Polo Grounds without receiv-
ing compensation
That he had hose delivered to Cross Aus
tin & Ireland Lumber Company in Brooklyn,
in the same manner.
That he Disseminated against certain MEM
! Yf,y
mend certain ones for promotion, and having
their names stricken from the eligible list be-
cause they refused to join the New-York Fire
Department Benevolent Association.
That he falsely stated to a reporter that Com
missioner Sturgis and a friend, a city official,
passed into theatres on the strength OF their
office.
That he. on his return from unexpired leave
of absence. issued an order, without notice TO
the Commissioner, resuming command OF the
department
With the charges Chief Croker served
with an order directing him TO appear at Fire
Headquarters next Monday at 1880 a. M
for trial The order also restored him to his
place. but stated that Acting Chief Purroy
would be in command Of the department pend
ing the trial and the decision of Commissioner
Sturgis.
Chief Croker arrived at Fire Headquarters a
few minutes before 10 O'Clock. and. accompanied
by his counsel John J. Delany, stepped into the
Commissioners office
The chief and his lawyer remained inside about
five minues and then came out, the chief car
rying a copy of the charges. copy of the order
restoring him to his place and directing him to
report for trial. When they reached a small
desk in the waiting room the chief read the
charges Secretary Leary invited them into his
Office. They refused to accept the invitation
After reading the charges Mr.. Delany said:
There is not a single scintilIa Of evidence against
81, Frau pia hoT stu nj
the evident strain under which they worked drd ig
mo inference that Chief Croker was dishonest We
viii let any one who knows AWNING aDoa t nllg
efficiency of IRE fighter pass on the competency
or honesty OF Chief Croker There IS not t f1
office. We will be ready to meet Gharges any tlIne
we receive notice Of the trial Now We can see
man who time and time again has asserted tnae
no eharges we're renoy we're being searched
by his orders in an effort 10 ma something 10 odSe
charges upon.
When Commissioner Sturgis was asked what
he had 10 say about the charges he said:
AS I shall be the presiding officer at this
hearing. YOU understand that it will be tmpos-
sihIA and highly improper for me to make any
comment on the charges or what led up TO them
I would like to add that the charges were pre-
pared by Arthur F Cosby an Assistant cor
noratior Counsel who has been very careful IN
going through all the evidence and examining
the Witnesses .. ,,;v,-.
He was asked If he would be witness against
Chiaf Croker but before he could reply Mr.
Coshv who was standing near by, said
THE witnesses who will appear are clted on
the charges Mr.. Sturgiss name does not ap-
pear there. -. c,,,r,issiorar
that the charges prepared by MI COSBY nav
been carefully and cOnscienuously prepdIep , aIIu
have beeu done as quickly as posSlDIe. 1neLe
was q large number Of witnesses 70 pe eAaIn
,red as Won will see. and conSlceTtole 'le ss
taken mn in their examination WIN CoIttIu a
tbie trial fairly. and will allow every oPpor
tnnit1, for bringing out tjH ana cieai So,
lion of the difficulties. As far as AIG 80 I
has been no personal feeling, e ithsI R o,4ra "a
ntbarTrise existing between Ch1ef troher anu
myself and I can now say tndt ITO sum
-,+iu no allowed in this case -, z
commissioner Sturgis was asked II til IL $50
raetoring the chief to his position ua 10 Us sre
bj,,, in the same position as Wheh lie was U
NO +" replied Mr.. Sturgls accT r Us ~ q
r,ae and regulations of the Fire DeEd. ~, &c
wan must he restored to his once Fed 81
he nIaced on charges. He must Dc mr. III time
tha charges tventy-four hours oeLOIT T. Us
annointad for him to appear Tor tIL I c,,p-sr1e
s5iI az Fire Headquarters that tl NJ 80 Ne
CoTr+ has ruled that member Oh me ,o+ice
nortr,ent must receive forty-elsht nuns
on,-,c pR TO ISSUE NEW BONDS.
,- VOTE TO REFUND OLD ObLlIA-