New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-07
FRICTION OVER FIRES.
CROKER ACCUSES POLICE.
McAdOo Says He'll Investigate OnIg
Formal CHARGES.

The friction between the policemen ard TIE f-e-
men, which has resulted in personal conflicts at
a number of fires reached a climax early yestef-
day when a policeman of the Thirtieth-st station
and Battalion Chief Howe, who made record at
the Baltimore fire. had fist fight at the west
TwenIy-third-st. fire. told in yesterdays IT'D
une. Howe will prefer charges against the
patroIman, who apologized.
I'VE have ceased TO depend the Police De-
partment turn in alarms said Fire Chief croker
last night. From this must depend on
citizens because the police to be asleep at
post when anything happens
Commissioner McAdoo feels that he has sr1eV-
ance against Chief Croker because he will not
make formal charges against any police holman
who seems to be negligent in reporting fires
IF the Fire Chief will make charges against any
of the under me-" said Commissioner Nc
Adoo. IAN Immediate investigation will be MADE
The trouble seems to be that the Fire Chief makes
his charges in the newspapers and refuses 10 put
anything in official form.
Has the friction between the Police and
Fire departments been called to your attention.
he asked.
1T has never been brought up officially" he re-
Piled "A certain amount of friendly rivalry Is TO
be commended. Both departments working FOR
public recognition. and it is natural that there
should be certain amout of rivalry If CHIEF
Croker has any charges OF laXity in turning IN
early alarms tc make. shall be more than pleased
to investigate them. These charges have been made
from time time to the press. but there has been
formal complaint this Office"
Understand me. do not admit that the Police
Department is lax in regard to early morning fires
II am no roundsman' said Chief Croker. "and
not going to report any patroman for neglect
ing to his duty at the Twenty-third-st. or any
other fire. It is up the police. When the alarm
comes in are ready, and if the fire has head
way that cannot be checked. because Of the care
essness of the policeman post. the responsibility
must rest where it belongs
4 ready to stand by every charge OF neglect
| IA
There will be charges from the Chief OF
the Fire Department.
Several times within the last month and a half
Chief Croker has complained against the laxity of
The police in reporting early morning fires. few
weeks ago a lamp lighter rushed up 70 two police
men at Prince and Mercer SITS. and reported that
fur factory fire The policeman, it is said.
told him go about his business. 1t nothing
but a chimney fire. The factory burned to the
ground. with loss of S25,000
A still later fire which Chief Croker COM
planned of police laxity the Stanley Soap
Works in West TwenJy-ffth-st- The fire
reported until the entire building was flames
Battalion Chief Howe said last night that the
anmosity Of the Police Department. the firemen
understood it. dated back to fire in Worth-st-
about three years ago.
The police got on the IRE escapes OF an ad-
joining building" said Howe. They seemed to be
adding to the panic. Chief Croker ordered them or
hose on them We washed them OF the Are es-
capes and queled the panic with water. Since then
anything that the chief has done has been wrong
from the police point of view. They have been dead
against since that fire, and have lost oppOr-
tunity to put the Fire Department in a bad light"
If fire gets away from the Fire Department
said a sergeant at Police Headquarters II have
had my experience with them before I
taken off station. If g. policeman tries make
a rescue and q fireman catches him at it. he Is
ordered 10 the street. II he does obey the
fireman cusses him out I received my last COM
mendaton from the Commissioner for rescue
made after l had offered fight fireman of the
fire escape. 1t is of jealousy. pure and SIM
pie. and struggle for honors in which the public
will get the worst OF IL as long this friction
exists"