New-York tribune., 1910-07-14
CROKER CASE Up TODAY
Waldo Asks Board to Sit Until
its Report Is Complete.
He IS FRIENDLY TO CHIEF
Petition Dnsowned by Croker,
Whose Report Ignores All
Adverse Criticism.

Matters have taken an unexpected turn
in the investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the fire of June s. on Washing
ton street, when Firemen Timothy Cotter
and William F. Healey lost their lives.
Although all the members OF the board
have their reports of the investigation made
out Rhinelander Waldo. the Fire Commits
sioner, has ordered a meeting of the board
TO open at 10 o'clock to-day. Further. he
wants the board to sit until 3 p. m. if neces-
sary. or until a report is ready for presenta-
tion to him.
At the last meeting. on July s. the ma
jority of the board, Deputy Chief Lally, Of
Brooklyn. who aspires to succeed Chief
Croker; Deputy Chief Langford, who
aspires TO succeed Lally in charge of Brook
Iyn. and Battalion Chief John P Howe,
who is in charge of the bureau of sup
plies but expects to become deputy chief
if Croker is ousted read their reports.
Several newspaper men were called and
an attempt was made to have them say
that Chief Croker had charged the fremen
with cowardice. When the newspaper men
declined TO make any statements Chief
CrOkers subordinates made their reports
and gave the chief a week to make his.
Chief Croker handed in his completed re-
port Yesterday. He quoted Commissioner
Waldo's order appointing the board for
the purpose of examining into and render
ing TO the Commissioner a complete report
of the fire ETC.: then proceeded to detail
the sittiugs of the committee giving names
of witnesses. dates of hearings and meth
DDS of procedure, and submitting the evi-
dence as taken.
He called attention TO the fact that the
order called for no criticism or recon-
.IzAa =
the attacks made against him in the other
reports.
Deputy Chief Langford IN his report at
tacks the methods Of Chief Croker in fight
ing the fire. Battalion Chief Howe reports
the chief guilty Of various breaches of reg
ulatfons and Deputy Chief Lally finds the
chief guilty of twelve different offences or
negligences including inefficiency. incom-
retency. rnfsmanagement and other things
The majority report recommends that the
Commissioner hold a public hearing and
subpoena the reporters who refused to testi-
~ Whether this recommendation IS re
sponsible for the subpPnas served yester-
day on reporters to appear to testify at to-
days hearing is not shown
Commissioner Waldo yesterday learned
that a petition was being circulated among
members of the Fire Department seeking
their support for Chief Croker.
This information was conveyed in two
anonymous letters, One signed Officer
stated that the writer had signed the petit
ton against his will, because he was threat
ened with dire consequences If he refused.
The Commissioner sent the letter to Chief
Croker. who sent it back with an indorse-
ment stating that the chief had never heard
of such a petition. and If he did hear of it
would put a stop to it.
The incident is closed, said Commits
soner Waldo, when asked about the matter
Yesterday, ''as the story has been denied by
the chief. who is responsible for discipline
in the department.
Commissioner Waldo denied yesterday
that he had any knowledge of the findings
of the members of the board. In such an
important matter, he said, he would con-
suit Mayor Gaynor. but he knew nothing
of what the final report of the board would
be The Commissioners added that he liked
Chief Croker personally. as was shown by
his appointing the chief member of the
hoard He would consider the report of the
board. which. to he of any value, must be
based on facts that would stand the test of
court inquiry.
Chief Croker. when seen after the fire in
18th street last night, returned the usual
answer to newspaper inquirers: Il have
nothing 70 say. I am very much obliged 10
you for coming TO see me. but cannot make
statarlAur inst