New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-11
WHY CROKER WAS RELIEVED
COMMISSIONER STURGIS EXPLAINS THE
FIRE CHIEFS SUSPENSION FROM DUTY.

Mayor Low last night made public the special
report of Fire Commissioner Sturgis with refer
ence 10 the suspension from duty of Fire Chief
Croker. Mr.. Sturgis says that Croker. while on
regular vacation. and after other officials had
been assigned to specific duties in order to allow
him leave of absence from the department..
turned TO the city. when the Commissioner was
i'll. and without authority resumed control OF the
Fire Department He says that speedily
possible he will prepare charges against Chief
Croker. The report 10 the Mayor follows:
During the month of July last Chief Croker
asked that a vacation of two months be granted
him. from August to September 30. This an
unusually long period out II was urged the
score OF needed rest and relief from duty The
granted by me. and an order 10 the uniformed
force was issued by my direction. announcing the
was assigned as acting chief of department during
me absence OF ChIef croker Many other official
ment battalion chiefs to act deputy chiefs and
captains battalion chiefs.
on August chief Croker left for his vacation
on Long Island On Friday. August 10 the trial
begun. and during that day some evidence by
Workmen in the repair shops was given the ef-
rect that WORK Tor the private use of ex-COnmis-
soner ScanneH and Chief Croker had been done
Croker aoDeared while the trial was going on and
at my direction chair was placed for his use
in the course of which l informed nm that he
might i attend as oIten as he desired during the
nave a copy of the evidence made for him and
copies of any documents he desired.
The trial of Ryan continued all Of Saturday
August l6 On Monday. August IS I was seriousIy
being adjourned over that day. On arriving at the
found that Chief Croker had returned to the ci+J-
on The previo US day and had, without consulting
ing that he had resumed command. and ordering
the acting chief and other officers back to their
without consultation with me- practically rescind-
gu III! 1r1er sTdhting MS vacation and designat
the department made in accordance herewith
Upon reaching my office Tuesday morning
h. L nd
asked him the reason of his action ana rebuked
and without previous conference with me 4
snort conversation enSued, in the course of which
ton. and he refused in what | considered very
in many. words that ne did not believe me IN
my assurances of fair dealing l then said that
to resume command, but would still give him the
opportunity to continue his vacation. and If hs
from duty. He replied 1 could not do so and
If l attempted to do so he would appeaI to the
courts " ~
The order relieving Chief Croker from duty az
Chief of the department was issued by me that
morning; before proceeding further with The Ryan
trial Chief Croker was present at the trial on
that day and also on the following day. when he
took the stand as a witness for the defence. He
in me actvs con,-na nj 81 49, ~ aiI
tanned mandamus from which subsequently ap-
you. Throughout the affair after issue was joined
acted as advised by the Cooperation Counsel
ticularly on account Of your absence, and partly
office the effect that any expression OF them
On my part should be reserved until the courts
should have dealt with the question Of my power
and duties in the premises. which raised as
purely legal questions upon the application for a
mandamus and a motion to punish for
tempt.
The relations between the Commissioner Of the
Fire Department and the Chief of the department,
who is his principal adviser. must be of the most
intimate and confidential character. These rela-
lions can only continue on basis of absolute nut
ual trust Any conduct destructive Of such conf
dence. any conduct that is iusubordinate in it's
character would make it difficult and perhaps I'M
possible. to administer the department The
duct of Chief Croker such that shah. as
speedily possible. prepare charges against him
and bring them early hearing in accordance
with the standing rules and regulations Of the de-
partment
Mayor Low asked TO say what he thought OF
the report. declined. saying that he was not
ready at this time to make comment on the