New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-02
O'BRIEN NOW FIRE HEAD
Ne1o Commissioner Seated--Croker
PARTLY Retracts Offending Orders.

Fire Commissioner John H o'Brisn began hts
duties at o'clock yesterday afternoon The re-
firing commissioner now Sheriff Nicholas J. Hayes
and friends OF both men, were present at the
informal ceremony. Chief Croker did not appear
at the City Hall ride to Fire Headquarters villa
the party.
When Chief Croker entered the office some time
after the commissioners party Mr.. Hayes STEPPED
I'D to him and said. with curious srntlsI
SCI am glad to meet you
IT am pleased TO meet you replied Chief Croker.
with smile as queer that OF Mr.. Hayes, and
II he were being presented for the first time. The
controversy between the retiring commissioners and
Chief Croker. which caused Sunday night BY
Mr.. Cookers action In ordering several officers and
men from headquarters back to their companies
without the approval Of the commissioner. threw
damper on the warmth Of their greeting.
Late yesterday afternoon after conference be-
tween the new Fire Commissioner and Chief Gro
ker In relation Cookers orders OF Sunday night.
Chief Croker issued the following order;
To Deputy Chiefs: You will notify the chiefs e
battalions in your division that the orders issued
from the office on December 81 regarding the rev:
their battaiions. are hereby counteTmanded and
they Will report back to their various and respect
I've details at a m. on January -
This action on the part of Chief Croker was
considered by many members OF the department as
a retraction Of his action of Sunday night ana a
confession OF error.
When Commissioner oBrien was asked Il hs
would bring charges against Chief Croker for IN
subject The new commissioner was equally reti-
cent about discussing the probable changes In his
department
Several officials at Fire Headquarters who have
long been attached to the department and are Ia
miiar with its legal status say that IN his action
OF Sunday night, in assigning fremen to various
posts without the sanction OF the retiring commits
sioner, Chief Croker laid himself open to charges
Of INSTRUMENTATION. They quote. In support Of this
belief. section of the greater Nsw-York charter.
which is, in part. follows:
The Fire Commissioner shall have power to Sc
lect heads OF bureaus and assistants and as many
officers and dremen as may be necessary, and they
shall at all times be under the control OF the Fire
Commissioner, and shall perform such duties as
may be assigned to them by him. under such names
or titles as he shall confer provided however thss
assignments to duty and promotions IN the uni
formed force shall be made by the Fire Commits
sIoner upon recommendation OF the chief OF depart
ment, and IN case any recommendation so Inads
by the chief shall be rejected he SHALL within three
days. submit another name or names and continus
to do until the assignment promotion is made.
Chief Croker's action Of yesterday In sending out
counternnanding orders to his deputy chief will
probably end the matter. he thereby virtually
acknowledges that he made mistake.
It was rumored about headquarters yesterday thas
Commissioner O'Brien would retain Albert -
Downes. secretary OF the Fire Department