The Washington times., 1903-03-07
CROKER OR M'AFEE
AS CHIEF ENGINEER
RumOr Says Outsider VIII
Be Appointed.
POLITICIANS ARE ACTIVE
Believed That New York Man Would
Resign to Accept Local
Position
POLITICIANS ARE ACTIVE

Those persons interested in the Dis
trict fire department are having enough
to think about in various rumors which
have gained currency within the past
few days. Chief Engineer Dutton hav-
ing been legisIated out OF ONCE. and his
connection with the department expir-
ing by Limitation on June 90 attention
has been called TO his probable sue
cessor.
Senior Assistant Chief Engineer Will
liam T. Belt is in line Of promotion 20
the position. and il may be taken for
granted that the District Commissioners.
II left 20 work out their own wishes in
the matter. viii raise Mr.. Belt to the
head OF the department. II is said. how
ever. that an effort will be made TO put
into the position g fire chief OF expert
ence from another city. Friends OF at
least two men are working 10 that end.
and IL is expected hard pressure will be
brought TO Lear upon the Board OF Com
missioners to secure the appointment Of
one OF them.
McAfee Suggested.
Ex-Chief Engineer McAfee. OF BaIti-
more. has been mentioned as one OF the
candidates for the position. Mr. Nc
Afee grew up in the Baltimore fire de-
partment. and became lis chief several
years ago. He is recognized as an excep-
tionally bright man. and his experience
would at him for appointment here Mr..
McAfee received a good education in the
Baltimore schools and when az the head
Of the Ere department was an active and
progressive man In every respect. He
enjoyed the confidence Of the community,
and his administration gave general sat
isfactton.
IN the political changes incident TO
the reorganization OF the municipal gov
ernment OF Baltimore, Chief McAfee
was requested TO resign He immedi-
ately accepted position with the
Westinghouse Electrical Company in
PittsburE remaining there until few
months ago. when ne was taken i'll and
was sent To Baltimore for treatment
Mr.. McAfee few days ago went 10
Kentucky where he will spend some
time recuperating from his illness.
While on his way South he is said TO
have spent two days in Washington
looking over the ground. and acquaint-
CIOkeI's Position.
Another man mentioned in connection
with the place is no other than Chief
Engineer Croker. Of New York II is
said the complications surrounding his
position in New York have grown 50
acute that his resignation would be a
convenient way out Of present difficult
ties His friends say an appointment 10
the head OF the department here would
be acceptable. While the salary al pres
ent is no inducement. they hold 70 the
idea that IL the services OF so competent
man were secured Congress would see
AT once the prOpriety OF making the sal
airy commensurate with his abilities
Those who hold TO the idea OF Chief
CrOkeT's appointment express the view
that the National Capital would be a fine
field for his efforts. They say he would
soon bring the department 10 the highest
cfhciency and make il one OF the best in
the country. and the glory he would re-
ceive by way Of making his department
an object lesson 10 the rest Of the coun-
try would De sShcient inducement to
bring him here.
Plenty of Influence.
From the sources Of information re-
ceived IT is learned that both Mr.. Nc
Afee and Mr. Croker will have abundant
political backing in the event their
names are presented TO the Commission
ers for appointment Probably the fol-
lowing Of both men would be the united
Congress delegations Of Maryland for the
one and Of New York for the other.
The curious see in these rUmOrs a
possible incentive for the legislation
which resulted disastrously 20 the plan
of the District Commissioners 10 give
the local Fire Department an executive
head II is hinted that the clause IN the
appropriation bill was inserted with
the intention 70 clear the field for the
appointment OF a fire chief from out
side the District. L is alleged that this
is the reason why the matter was kept
50 quiet and no facts allowed 10 get out
relative TO the motive behind the legis-
lation.
Some welI-Informed people expect de-
veiopnenrs within a short time which
viii corrOborate the rumOrs now flying
around In reference ro he new head OF