New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-20
EXAMINATION FOR CHIEF.
PURROY TO RETIRE SOON.
Gooderson to Succeed HIM ana
Also to Resign, 1t Is Sad.

More than a fortnight ago The Tribune an
nounced exclusively that Chief Purroy was 10
resign in a few weeks in anticipation VI
Cookers possible reinstatement by the courts
This was denied at the time. but now IL Is gen
orally credited. Purroy's successor has ALREADY
been selected. it is said
A man who has been closely identified with
the affairs of the Fire Department for years
said yesterday
There will be two more chiefs of the Fire
Department before the year is out
When asked TO explain, he said
when Charles d. Purroy resigns as he is to
do very soon Frederick w. Gooderson, deputy
chief is sure TO succeed him. Gooderson. l
know intended to resign at the same time with
purroy but will delay until after he has been
made chief. OF course. he will have TO pass a
Civil Service examination. but that maks his
promotion no less certain. Purroy was slated
for his position before Croker was dismissed
AMI the Civil Service was no more bar TO his
certain promotion than it will be to Gooderson.
Purrov will surely be out Of the department by
the first of next month, and it seems possible
and even probable that Croker will be re-
instated by New Years. II he is put back be-
fore PurrOy's successor has resigned. the success
sor will be in n bad fix, as he viii be reduced
of course to his former rank; and. should he
then retire would lose a chiefs pension, which
amounts 10 5000 year Purroy and Cooler
son will resign chiefs, and Croker De rem
stated before the end of 1893
Around Fire Headquarters il is believed that
Purroy's resignation will go into effect on De-
cember l. for an examination for chief IS TO be
held on November 80. Deputy Chiefs John
Burns and Gooderson are believed TO have the
best chances Of any one. Both testthed against
Croker in his trial. and both stand well with
a hnadQuaT
tiers yesterday, and had long conference with
Commissioner Sturgis and Secretary Leary.
Commissioner Sturgis said that he had made
an application for the examination OF the depu-
" chiefs which will be advertised in to-days
City Record" He continued:
Il did make such application. but merely
in order that I might have an eligible list Tor
chief in case / desired to call upon IT. CnleI
Purroy has not filed his application for retire
ment as vet and ! know nothing wha tsoeVer
about the matter. Those officers VINO ceslre 20
retire will have to do so Of their own voltion
without my telling them one way or the o'her
what is best to do. -,
1t has been said that Chief Purroy VIII re-
tire but I know nothing officially OF the malIer'
and Chief Purroy and such other officers as telt
it TO their best interests to retire have not as
yet signifed their intention Of so DONG.
Sturgis yesterday was the retirement Of Cap
tain Robert Oswald. of Engine Company IL
This Oswald asserts, was done in direct VIOLA
ton of section 79C OF the city charter Oswald
was aid and driver for Chief Croker, and has
spent fourteen years in the department June
8 1896 his name placed on the roll or
honor for rescuing several persons at IRE
Two years ago. at the big fire in the cooperage
department OF the Havemeyer sugar refinery in
Brooklyn. Oswald drove Croker 10 the ire Al
the fire trolley wire snapped over him and
struck him on the head. Inflammation OF the
tissues under the skull resulted causing vertigo.
In February he was ordered before the medical
board. which decided that he was physically
unfit for active duty, and recommended to the
1fnrh
He was detailed as aid to Battalion Chief Short,
Of the Twelfth Battalion. and placed in COM
mand of Randalls Island, where there is not
fire in five years.
Oswald is TO take his case to court 20 demand
reinstatement. He has retained Cookers cOun-
sell John ]. Delany
Battalion Chief Snow. of the Thirty-ffth Bat
talon. Brooklyn. retired yesterday at his
own request.