New-York tribune., 1912-08-31
CROKER MADE CHIEF OF
A MILLIONAIRE FORCE
Elected President Of Long
Beach Fire Department, Com-
posed of Rich Volunteers.
EVENING DRESS TROUSERS
Members Won't Have to Leave
Social Affairs to Change
Lew Dockstader to
Head a Battalion.

Edvysrd F. Croker. former chlei Oh
the New York Fire Department. ls no"
peneralissimo Of the nattiest hre lorce
any man could expect within reason to
command. At meeting held yes'er-
dav afternoon at the Nassau HOTEL al
Long Beach. he was elected presloeht
of the Long Beach Fire Department
nd vvas voted a free hand in organ
ization and equipment. Mr.. croker III
.,ccepting the responsibility. stated that
he purposed in the near future 10 cali
his men out for duty regularly every
night and that drills would continue
until the snow few. He was assured
he would be given the best OF support
The members of his force Will be
volunteers consisting Of the rich men
who have recently taken up theT
homes in Long Beach. Mr.. Croker sald
personally he would not need their ser
vices. because the house he is erecting
IN the neghborhood is TO be entirely OF
concrete. and In It ne is TO embody all
The ideas against fire loss that he mas
evolved during years Of study. FROM
cellar to garret rafters, floors and walls
are 10 be of concrete. Carpets and
-urniture covers are to be Of asbestos
while the furniture. trimmings and
doors will he Of metal
With Men Of Affairs.
The other officers Of the company
elected with Mr.. Croker were Henry r
Cochrane, a Brooklyn lawyer, vice.
resident: John c. Gerhard. Manhat-
tan importer, recording secretary; A. J.
smith. Manhattan automobile manu-
tacturer. financial secretary, and w. b.
Wilson, q Manhattan lace importer
treasurer. AS 1t was understood that
Mr.. Croker would not be at home at all
times Charles W. Hewlett, the chief Of
the Long Beach police, was elected act
ing fire chief in case OF the chiefs alb
sence. AS honorary assistant George
+ RYAN, real estate broker Of LonG
Island City, was elected, and the ac-
tive assistant is II. b. Snow, the village
plumber.
After the election Mr.. Croker called
the roll of membership, and among
those who answered were Nahan
Franko. the band director; r. A.
Clarke, an overall manufacturer; DR..
Henry AIoeIer, Harry Williams, song
writer; !. D. Bosken, an automobile
dealer: Dr De Tanny. Alex. Hubert,
who makes cigarettes; F. Guiden.
mustard dealer; Benjamin Kaufman.
broadway halter; ex-senator William
n. REYNOLDS. Lew Dockstader, Of min
strcl fame; Herman Goldsmith, Daniel
:. Goldner, Max Mayer. glove maker;
II. Addison, q Fifth avenue diamond
merchant; DR.. Peterno and Or. An
tonic Faroni.
Lew Dockstadter is TO be made one
of the battalion chiefs, his experience
in the famous "Darktown Fire Depart
ment" especially fitting him for the
place. Harry Williams promised to
write the song for the first annual ball.
To Have Auto Trucks.
At the present time the equipment
consists Of a number Of small hand
hose carriages, installed in small port
able houses on different parts Of the
beach. Mr.. Croker said this would not
suffice, and he was empowered TO pur-
chase an automobile fire combination
truck. and 5000 in the department
treasury was placed at his disposal for
this purpose. He said the machine
would be on the beach within the next
ten days.
The department is not yet uniformed
but Mr.. Croker has been also author
tied to select an appropriate garb. He
has spoken in favor of black trousers.
such as will go we'll with evening
dress. blue shirt and red helmet. The
trousers selected, so the chief says
can be worn TO social affairs at the
hotel in the evening, and In case Of an
alarm the Fire Department members
would not have 10 go home to dress.
Two siren whistles are TO be pur-
chased, one 10 be placed on the Nassau
Hotel and one on the power house at
the water station. These whistles will
designate by series Of toots In what
gection NJ the heach the fire is