The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-10
DOCTOR TOOK FIREMAN AWAY
IT WAS ALMOST KIDNAPPING,
SAID FIRE CHIEF.


Another Row Betwcen POLICE and Ffrcmen
rs "a when . smoke Eater Should 60
to . Hospital lie Had \ had cut ON tine
Head-DoctOr wouldn't Take Chances.
A three cornered row between fremen.
police and an ambulance surgeon occurred
last night at q brisk hre in West Twenty
fourth street on the questio nof whether six
Hrernen who had been overcome by smoke
should receive medical treatment. The in
jured men were laid on the curb across the
street and despite objections from a fire
official doctors were summoned. Five Of the
Hremen we're revived. but a man who had
been out by a falling timber did not respond
to treatment. He was whisked away 10
the New York Hospital and Deputy Chief
James J. Mccartney. who had objected.
called IL kidnapping.
Policeman Dolan CT the neww estTwentieth
street station saw smoke putting from the
building at l47 West Twenty-fourth street
shortly after 8 o'clock. This part OF the
building is occupied by A. Yelen A Co.
dressmskers. In the few minutes that IL
took the crew OF Engine 10 OF 355 WesS
Twenty-Hfth street to stretch in hose the
flames had licked their way up the ~elevator
10 Blu bAACtC Was y bttAiobh yCboW nv
from smouldering cloth.
The smoke knocked out Fireman Harry
Dallas. who had been struck "a singing
blow by a falling timber on h fourth
floor. He went on with his work until
he and three others Of Engine 10 toppled
over. His companions were John Seavers.
Dennis Mccarthy and Michael Stevens.
They were carried 20 the street. Then
Lieut.. William Hess of Engine 10 and Lieut.
Henry Hecksndorn Of Truck IL were brought
out unconscious.
Sergt. Louis Wagner, who got the Rhine
lande medal in 1900 for a rescue at Al
Adams's house at 8 East Sixty-ninth street.
thought an ambulance should be called.
Driver McGrath, who rides with Battalion
Chief George l.. Ross. objected. DIR. l..
II. Berry, a physician, OF 1855 West Twenty
second street, said that the men might be
in a critical condition.
Don't you exceed your authority"
warned McGrath. Those men are needed
badly for fighting this fire. We don't want
them carted away. They will come around
all right"
Then DR.. Berry talked to McGrath. who
finally consented to an ambulance being
called. DIR. Harbeck OF New York Hospital
revived all but Dallas without difficulty.
After examining the wound upon his head
and binding ii he said Dallas ought TO be
removed to the hospital. McGrath OBJ
jected.
You're wrong to let the iremen blur
you" shouted Berry. IF that man dies
upon your hands it will be your fault. In a
case like this it's up to the surgeon"
McGrath turned his back for a few
minutes and walked away. In the mean
time at DR.. Harbeck's orders Dallas. still
unconscious. was loaded into the auto
mobile ambulance and the machine started
away. McGrath arrived in time TO see the
auto disappearing down the street. He
Immediately made a report to Deputy
Chief Mccartney. who said:
The Fire Department is in charge here.
It's a case of an ambulance surgeon taking
a man away on his own hook. II they do
any more Of that sort Of kidnapping they
win hear from it,"
The FIRE was confined to the two top floors.
II was put out after an hours work.
At the New York Hospital IL was said that
Dallas was all right. He will be out to-day.