New-York tribune., 1907-12-13
A QUESTION OF HEROES.
Medal Men of Fire and Police De-
Darfmenfs CrOzcd &. s. Hearing.

The Civil Service Commission held a special meet
ing in the Sheriffs jury roorn at No go Broadway,
yesterday decide whether or not the frenlen and
policemen who are ROW wearing MEDALS are heroes.
and to discuss the awarding OF certificates and
medals for alleged deeds Of bravery
Medal men from both departments crowded the
hearing and Fire Commissioner Lantry. Chief
Croker Commissioner Bingham and Deputy Chies
Biuns discussed heroes and now they should be re-
warded Commissioner Baker in addressing the
meeting said We have received many letteTs.
some Of them anonymous charging that many sup
posed heroes were awarded medals because of po-
litcaI preference
Fire chief Croker said he believed that the men
should continue 10 receive medals for bravery. but
that they should receive consideration Tor heFolo
work in matters of promotion Il know OF cases
continued Chief Croker. where medals have been
given out for political purposes to secure preieT-
ment The men would do just as good work and
put out as many fires IL there were no rnedas
awarded"
In the Police Department. said Commissioner
Bingham Il think things should remain just as
they are 1t is a harmless incentive TO my men %
receive a medal and some slight CONSIDERATION n
examination. True. the men are well PAD Ior
doing their duty but they are human. and 1t re-
1ieves the rnouotony Of things TO be able to earn
some recognition I myself have cut down ths
awards TO one year. and last year we came near
awarding medal to a man who did not deserve l.
We have a commission which goes over the eEi-
dence in cases of alleged bravery. and then 1 50
Fire Commissioner Lantry said that he favored .
system whereby a fireman might be promoted %
the snc1 FOR doing heroic work He thought esc1
prornotious in such cases should be made WITHOUT
civil Service examination, after report OF good
and sufficient evidence" had been made 20 ths
commission Commissioner Iantry's suggestion
Was AZ variance with Chief Croker's ideas. but the
chief explained later that he would favor such 4
system if il could be established. but that no was
opposed to recognition in connection with Civil SER
vice examinations
Commissioner Baker explained that to make Pro-
motions in such cases it would be necessary -
amend the state constitution.
We'll If such promotion is unlawful" said Com.
missioner I.antry. Il don't agree with Chief
Croker when lie says that the Civil Service COM
mission should not recognize bravery \ man
should receive something for his brave acts
MI. Baker said that the commission had re-
ceiyed anonymous letters saying that sons IRE
men. particularly engnemen and drivers were nos
in position be heroic
They don't have 10 hold those positions II they
don't want to- said Commissioner Lantry, "and
in regard TO those letters. a man who does not
sign his is good"
Harry G. Ordway, of the Civil Services Reforms
Association and Battalion Chiefs BInns. Kruger
Langford. Skey and Cuneen gave their opinions
medals and awards.
PatroInan q. NJ Sheppard. of Brooklyn head
quarters, spoke against the demerit system IN ina
Police Department and followed by President
Brennan OF the American Life Saving Society.
Sergeant William Kocling and Lieutenant Masrin
also spoke.