New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-10
POLICE-FIREMEN CLASH.
Fire Fighters Object to Unconscious
Nan Going to Hospital.

clash between members of the Police and Fire
departments over whether some injured iremen
should be taken to the hospital or left on the
sidewalk in unconscious condition was the
feature of a fire which did $1,000 damage to the
loft building at No. IA West 9th street last night
The fire. which started the fourth floor IN me
French model firm of a. Yellen. had obtained sood
Roadway when discovered by PatrOlman James
Dolan. of the new 18th Precinct He lmnedlateIy
sent in alarm. Engine 10 and Truck L DelhS the
first to arrive on the scene.
1t was a difficult fire fight. owing TO the dense
black smoke which filed the building, and the men
Engine 10 had work few minutes
when Harry Dallas, John Seayers Dennis Nc
Carthy and Michael Stevens succumbed and were
carried to the sidewalk by the other members OF
the company. 1t was that they were IN u
bad way, and Sergeant Louis C. Wagner, who won
the Rhinelander medal for bravery in 1893 for saw
ing several lives fire, ordered Patrolinan Dolan
to call ambulance.
Hardly had Dolan turned to do when fire
named McGirath. who drives for Battalion
Chief Ross up and in loud tones insisted that
the call for the ambulance be revoked wagner
ordered Dolan to do so. and the unconscious men
were left on the sidewalk. DR. l. H. Berry or NO.
166 West 9th street. who in the crowd watch
Ing the fire. that the men would die unless
they received medical attention. and he insisted
that ambulance be called. Several hremen. be-
coming alarmed the condition of the unconscious
men. did so. and Dr. Harbeck. of the New York
Hospital. responded
After a half-hour's work he brought them all
around, with the exception Of Dallas. who. in adj
ditlon to being overcome by the smoke had been
hit by falling brick
Placing Dallas in the ambulance DR. Harbeck
was about to take him to the hospital when Nc
Grath again interpOsed.
Where you going with that man? You
have right TO take him. he shouted
Several fremen gathered around the ambulance
menacingly. and DIR. Harbeck was Obliged TO adj
minister what aid he could to the injured man
in the conveyance. The crowds back Of the fire
lines jeered McGrath and DR.. Berry. who served
as an inferno In Bellevue Hospital said TO Har-
beck. why don't you take that man TO the hos
pital? He is in bad way, and IL he dies you VIII
be responsible for his death"
Dr. Harbeck evidently thought likewise. for ne
threats of McCfrath and the other firemen-
Lieutenant Milton Hess and Lieutenant Henry
Heckendon of Truck Il. were also overcome by
smoke. but brought around by Dr. Berry.
Battalion Chief Mccartney said that the hre would
cause a damage of about $1,000 and that it had
been confined the four top floors, which were
occupied mostly by manufacturers OF shlrtwaists
and skirts.
When told of the clash that had occurred be-
tween the hremen and bystanders CHIEF McCart-
ney said: THE ambulance doctor had no right
to take that man 70 the hospital lie stoIe MN
from us, and he viii have 10 answer LOT MS at
We need all of our men and can't have them
gaIavanting around in ambulances-"
1t is probable that Dr. Berry ana several oIher
Fire Commissioner Lantry TO the actions OF the
fremen. who. they say, were extremely lhsoIehI
and overbearing.
There have been numerous conflicts Of authority
between the police and FIRE departments at fires.
but In the last few years the feeling, which for
merly ran high, has not been so bitter. me most
noted conflict Of late years occurred April or
last year a fire in Bridge Store No ? near
Trra1tIn Square when q patroIma1 called for
ambulance for twenty fremen who were overcome
DR. Williams, Of Hudson Street Hospital, trIed
to take fireman named Connors 70 that lhStIu-
ton but was prevented by Chief Croker Dr.
Williams appealed to the police and the affair
developed into Il small sized riot the pohceIneh
drawing their night sticks and the fremen their
axes.
Wiser counsel prevailed and the hremen took
Connors out OF the ambulance and laid MIN on
the sidewalk. There talk that Dr. Williams
would prefer charges against Chief croker out
nothing came of the matter.
Commissioner Bingham made investigation OF
the affair and decided that his men had acted IN
becoming manner Connors was later taken TO
81 Gregorys Hospital and nearly died from his
injuries