New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-21
CROKER TRIAL TO END SOON
MAY GIVE DECISION TO-MORROw-A
STRONG WITNESS FOR THE CHIEF.

The third week of the trial of Chief Croker
began Yesterday before Commissioner Sturgis az
Fire Headquarters John J Delany. counsel for
the Chief. announced that another day and half
would be all the time required 10 complete the
defence Captain Cosby. who again appeared as
prosecuting counsel. said that few witnesses in
rebuttal would be called by the prosecution. and
that Wednesday night would probably all the
evidence in. in readiness for the Commissioners
action
Mr.. Delany took up the charge that the chiefs
OF battalions directed all company commanders TO
discontinue Inspections and offered in evidence
nineteen hundred special reports ordered by the
chief during the alleged Suspension of vigilance.
James Fl Hassett. Of Arnesbury. Mass a guest
at the Park Avenue Hotel on the night the FIRE.
testified that the fire in his opinion started al the
base Of the elevator shaft
Augustus T Docharty, secretary to the Fire De-
partment during the term Of Commissioner Sean
nell, proved strons witness for the defence. and
threw the blame for the issuance the much
quoted discontinue all inspection orders on the
Corporation Counsels office and Commissioner
Scanncn. Docharty told of conference held in
the office of Fire Commissioner Scanneu. Chief
Croker. Assis Corporation Counsel Herman and
the witness
AT that conference" he said. Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Herman said the notices which
had been issued ny the department were not strong
enough, and that it had been almost impossible TO
get convictions against violators of the building
laws the notices issued
Did Commissioner Scanned give any orders
garding this order asked counsel
Yes, he told Chief Croker 10 do as ordered by
the Corporation Counsel"
Did you hear the Commissioner give that
orda~?-'
Yes l in the room at the time"
Did you ever know Commissioner Scannen 10
give oral orders suspending the rules of the de-
YES. sir heard him give the order I lust spoke
His testimony was not shaken on nina
ton.
Battalion Chief Terpenny had testified that he
was prosecuted by the Chief in being transferred
To different stations. a special order was read.
used to Mi i'm on DAYS or OF the various other
chiefs. and therefore could not have been trans
ferred daily.
In answer 10 the charge that the Chief refused
to recommend for promotion long list or men
who had refused join the New York Fire De
partment benevolent Association. Mr.. Delany read
letter from Commissioner SCanneN 10 Chief
Bonner under date Of July II. 1895 telling him that
IN SeIectlng men Tor promotion preference Shot q
b. given to those who had done meritorio
acts in saving life. had received medals for the
same reason The commissioner announced that
he intended pursue a similar course in the
future II was in pursuance OF this -honored
custom. counsel argued. that Chief Croker had re-
fused 10 recommend the men specified for promo
tion,
Two special reports on the Park Avenue Hotel
we're then read to show that reports had been
made and notices served The hotel by order of
Chief Croker after the suspend inspection order
had been issued Departmental records for ten
ways considered bv the department as a frsproof
high and therefore not under that section of the
law requiring stand pipes
bandment Of the FIremen's Mutual Benevolent As
ISOLATION. 'Pinkies." as they are known in the
htical body and menace the good order and
discipline OF the department read by Mr. De-
Bonner had shown himself as acting aeainst the
"Pinkies did Chief Croker