New-York tribune., 1902-08-20
CHIEF CROKER SUSPENDED.
COMMISSIONER sTURGIS FORCES HIM
TO CONTINUE HIS VACATION.
THE CHIEF CHARGES PEANUT POLITICS"
AND TALKS OF MANDAMUSING THE
COMMISSIONER.
COMMISSIONER.

SturglS did not want Chief Croker to sit at a
trial which is aimed partly at Croker himself
apparently He asked Croker 10 continue his
vacation, which began on August 1, and was TO
continue for sixty days. Croker preferred to re-
main on duty during the trial, and told MI
Sturgts so. Croker's sudden return from his
vacation Monday has disconnected plans for
an investigation of his conduct in connection
with the Ryan trial
Croker was called into the office Of Commits
sioner Sturgis yesterday morning. when the fol-
lowing dialogue ensued:
Mr.. sturgis-Chief I want you to resume your
vacation.
Chief Croker-No. Ny name has been mentioned
in connection with the charges against Ryan, and
Gr Sturgis-Then III relieve you from duty.
Chief Croker-You can't do that You will have
Mr., sturgis-Tm the best judge of that.
When the Ryan trial was resumed, before
10 M, Chief Croker entered the trial room
and took a seat near Commissioner Sturgis- At
11:20 a. m. Mr. Shields. the acting secretary
handed TO Chief Croker an order signed by the
Commissioner II read.
"On the receipt of this order you are hereby
suspended from active duty in the department.
Chief Croker read the order and lett the room
On his way to the elevated railroad station in
Third-ave he said he was going downtown TO
consult with counsel and make application
in the Supreme Court for writ He said he
thought the court would order his reinstatement
to active duty. under the charter he could
not be suspended except on charges
His suspension and the effort TO secure charges
a yainst him. he said. were for political rea-
sons This is plan to get me out Of the
department because of my relationship 10 Rich
ard Croker" ne said The only thing Richard
Croker ever did for 10 have me pro-
NOTED from assistant foreman to foreman. Out
side Of that he old nothing but hold me back
The very fact that he was my relative operated
against me-
Members of the Board Of Fire Underwriters,
when they heard of the suspension of Chief
Croker. said they believed the Fire Department
never had been so efficient as under Chief
Croker's leadership. Croker was appointed a
fireman in 1884. when ne was twenty-one years
old. and he assistant foreman less than
two months after he began 70 wear the uni
form. H was made a foreman in 1856. and a
chief Of battalion in 1888 He succeeded Hugh
Bonner as Chief Of the Fire Department on June
%, 1899. Croker has been extremely active and
energetic as Fire Chief, and has gained a good
reputation for courage and ability a fires. He
was outspoken in his condemnation Of police
methods in Devery's time He opposed and
broke Up a secret organization among the fire
men for legislative purposes. on the eighteenth
anniversary Of his appointment last June his
flowers sent by officers Of the department. in
witness Of their confidence in him.
Deputy Chief Purroy. who was acting chief in
Croker's absence on vacation, was called back
20 Fire Headquarters yesterday and the
Ryan trial with Commissioner Sturgis. The
Commissioner said to newspaper men later.
Chief Croker has been relieved from active
duty the same as any other member of the force
might be There are no charges against him.
Nt 70 no qr 3 he al
Was this suspension not due 20 a political
promise?' the Commissioner was then asked.
I 90 not care TO 90 into that matter he re-
Piled.
Isn't it a fact. AIr- Commissioner. that
promise vas made 10 Henry D Purroy, before
80. IN that, If the present administration was
successful he would be rewarded for his services
by having his brother. Deputy Chief Purroy
made chief Of the department.
That statement is utterly untrue" replied
Commissioner sturgis. and I hardly think il is
worth my while 70 dignity it with denial.
have only the slightest acquaintance with Henry
. Purroy. and 7 can assure you that 10 one in
this administration or ont OF il could give any
pledges for ne"
Has Chief Crokers suspension anything 10
do with. or is IT the outcome Of. the present
triaI?"
No it has not"
~ Mr. Croker is willing to come to this city
and is willing TO give up his vacation in order
to be here at this trial don't you think taat
it is only fair that you give to the public your
reason for relieving MIN from duty"
u want YOU 10 understand I an conducting
the policy of this department." 1Ir sturgts said,
With some heat Later he said that four or
five weeks go Chief Croker had come TO him,
and. after saying that he was run down and in
need Of rest asked for eight weeks vacation
The request granted
Owing to the Chiefs absence. Mr.. Sturgis
said he was compelled 10 make many shifts
or rearrangements of the assignments in the
department, from Deputy Chief Purroy down
Despite this fact. ne said. Chief Croker had un-
expecredIy returned on Monday morning, and
had involved all the temporary assignments in
confusion.
Mr.. Sturgis said he had asked the Chief to
continue his vacation but that his request mad
met a refusal. Therefore, he had simply re-
lieved Chief Croker from duty for the remainder
OF the time he was TO have been on vacation
Then this is simply an enforced vacation
for Chief Croker" was suggested.
oh, 1 would hardly call it that responded
Nj Sturgis sniIingly.
Following adjournment of the Ryan trial
Commissioner Sturgis said late in the after
noon.
When the Mayor asked me which bureau I wanted
investigated | said the repair p sh9pi ;fyr DeiaISe
could find opening to put in inefficient men |
also expected ind that the payroll had on II
the names OF considerably more people t1an were
needed. | had idea at the time or ASKING lor
the investigation of the awful condition OF a1dlrS
existing in the bureau. / would like to have II
made plain TO the public that this IS not case OIL
peanut politics. and that these charges are not
aimed at Ed Croker. There only TWO alIega-
lions in this complaint. One involves the poor
materials used in every piece of apparatus IN the
depaTtment-in the engines in the ladders lne
scaling ladders hooks and axes-which poor condl-
lion OF material every day II was in mperilled