New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-07-08
croker FINDS A FRIEND
GaYnor Guarantees Fair Hearing
for Accused Chief.
WILL REVIEW FINDINGS
Only One Administrative Head of
Fire Department, He Says,
While He Is Mayor.

Those who thought that the findings OF
Deputy Chief Lally and Of Deputy Chief
I.angford and Battalion Chief Howe would
result in the dismissal of Edward F. Croker,
chief OF the Fire Department, counted with
out Mayor Gaynor- The latter was out
spoken yesterday in his declaration that ne
would review any findings that might be
made. and added that. as he had had con-
siderable experience in analyzing evidence,
he would see that the chief was not con-
demned without fair hearing.
Lally. Langford and Howe. at the in
stance Of Fire Commissioner Waldo, have
been investigating Chief Croker's conduct
at a fire il Washington street on June s.
1870 when two firemen lost their lives
I.ally has accused his chief OF bad tudg-
I11ent. rnismanagement. incompetency and
nine other offences. The others were nilder
in their findings. The investigation has not
been closed
There has been no suggestion of re-
moving Mr.. Croker said the Mayor last
evening. and there is no intention on the
part of MI Waldo 10 prefer charges. Chief
Croker is regarded as a good fireman, but
there must be an administrative head OF
the Fire Department. and there VIII be only
one so long as / am here
It developed that the inquiry had been
ordered by Commissioner Waldo at the
suggestion OF the Mayor, who was sur
prised at the reports that Chief Croker had
stated the personnel OF the fire fighting
force was de1eriorating- With regard TO the
4ppointraent of Chief Cookers subordinates.
il was stated at Fire Headquarters Vester-
day that this was the natural proceeding
There was no charge gainst Chief Croker
or against anybody else The board was
appointed. as any other board would be, to
INQUIRE into the manner in which the
fire had been attacked. how many lines
Of hose had been laid how soon each
engine had been put to work. how many
men had been se12t inside the building. what
points had been covered and so forth, but
there vas nothing in the appointment Of
the board that could be construed as al
taching blame 10 any one
The findings of the board have not get
been submitted TO the Commissioner, and
the report read on "Wednesday at the meet
ing OF the board of inquiry may even be
DESTROYED and another joint report submit
ted in its place. The board will not hear
any further testimony unless a special
order is issued by the Commissioner 10 in
clire further into the interviews given by
Chief Croker Immediately after the Wash
ington street fire.
As Commissioner waldo is not supposed
70 know anything whatever OF what rap
pens at the meetings of the board. il is
difficult to see how he can issue sucn an
order. at least until the findings reached
have been submitted TO him Chief Croker
will submit q minority report within a
week and the three other members Of the
board will either submit three separate re
ports or sign one prepared by either Of the
other TWO members.
Before any charges are even submitted
Mayor Gaynor will have an opportunity TO
examine the testimony adduced by the
board of inquiry, and it will depend upon
his decision whether the chief or any other
officer Of the fire force is placed on trial