Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-23
UNDER INVESTIGATION
ALLEGED OFFER OF INFLUENCE
TO SECURE PROMOTION.
Assistant Chief Of Fire Department
Before the Commissioners-The
Suit for $50 Fee.

concluded before Mr.. Halbert E. Paine.
| justice of the peace of the Georgetown dis
| trict. in connection with the legal proceed
| ings instituted by John j. Horrgan against
| Andrew ]. Sullivan, second assistant chief
! of the District fire department, to recover
| the sum of $50, alleged to have been paid
| by the complainant as retainer in an eff
fort to secure the promotion of Sullivan to
| the Office of chief engineer of the depart
| ment upon the retirement of Mr.. Robert
| w. Dutton. Mr.. Paine announced that he
would render his decision in the near fu-
ture. Attorney Frank J. Wissner con-
Quoted the defense. while Messrs. Henry A.
Hegarty and James Horrigan acted as
| counsel for the plaintiff.
Mr.. Sullivan's Statement.
Commissioner mcfarland. who has su-
pervision of the fire department, sent for
Assistant Chief Sullivan this morning and
with Chief Engineer Dutton interviewed
him regarding the affair which developed
in the justice court yesterday relative to
Sullivan's seeking the office of chief en-
gineer of the department through outside
influence Mr.. Mcfarland asked Mr.. Sui
Ivan ifit was not a fact that he had
been promoted from a private in the de-
partment successfully through the various
grades until he had become the second as
sistant chief, without a single bit of in
auence. Mr.. Sullivan said this was so. and
was then asked what his purpose was in
seeking outside influence. The assistant
chief replied that Horrigan. who is suing
him for $50 had been a lifelong friend. He
had always made Sullivan believe that he
was man of extraordinary influence. Re
Gently Horrigan came to Sullivan ana
asked if he was not eligible for appoint
ment as chief Sullivan replied that he
was. Horrigan asked if he did not want
the place. Sullivan said naturally he would
like to have It very much
c,.rvi 49, e. =, II>,
gan had then introduced him to Mr..
Duffy, and that the three went to the Cap
itOl. where they saw Mr.. Garrett Mr..
mcfarland asked Sullivan why he went TO
| the Capitol. He replied that he wanted to
see just what the long-bOasted influence of
Horrigan consisted of. Carrot is said to
have taken friendly interest in the mat
ter. Up to this time Sullivan says there
had been no inttmation of money. Next
day, however, Horrigan is alleged to have
come to him and said it would take $3.50 to-
work the affair." Sullivan says he replied
he would not give 30 cents. HOrr1gan is
then alleged to have said 1t could be done
for $3.50. Again Sullivan said he would not
give 80 cents. Thereupon Horrigan is said
to have declared that he must have $50,
anyway. This time Sullivan declared he
would give chew of tobacco"
Would Spend the Money Anyhow.
Horrigan declared he going ahead
and spend the money, anyway. That is the
of the matter until Horrigan told him he
owed him $50 and must pay it. His declina-
ton to do so was followed by the suit
which came to trial yesterday.
Commissioner Mcfarland is looking into
the matter of the possible prosecution of
the people other than Sullivan engaged In
the affair. No action in regard to Sullivan
will be taken until decision has been rem
dered by the justice of the peace who
heard the case involving the fee claimed by
Horrigan. Commissioner Mcfarland was
instrumental in having inserted In the ap-
preparation bill for the current fiscal year
a clause which would reach persons who
boosted ability to barter District offices and
attempted to do so. He will refer the mat
ter to the corporation counsel to see
whether in the present instance the law is
applicable.
The provision is as follows: -.
THAT hereafter every person who. direct
iy or indirectly, takes, receives or agrees
to receive any money, property or other
valuable consideration whatever from any
person for giving. procuring or aiding to
give or procure any Office, place or promo
ton in Office from the Commissioners of
the District of Columbia, or from any OFF,
GER under them, and every person who, di-
rectly or indirectly, offers to give. or gives
any money. property or other valuable
consideration whatever for the procuring
or aiding to procure any such Office. place
or promotion in Office, shall be deemed
guilty of misdemeanor. and. on conviction
thereof in the Police Court shall be pun
ished by fine not exceeding 81 900 or i'm
prisonment in the Jail for not more than
twelve months, or both, in the discretion
Of the court"
gan. telephoned Commissioner Macfarland
today that he would call upon him to see
him in regard to the Sullivan matter before
a decision should be made.