davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

best possible advantage. They decide
that a personal inspection rs necessary,
and without delay the chief cnt as the
building Near b. stands a hospital ambu-
lance with its doctor and orderlies ready
for any emergency. for even as on "a bat
tlcfield casualties are TO be- expected. by
order Of the chief a heavier attack l.
developed upon particular portion OF
the structure and an extension ladder
shoots up through the murk. with men
clinging catlike To its rungs even as II
lengthcns. An order rings out, Start
water" and a powerful jet is forced into
the heart Of the secthing inferno.
1.-THE crucial point in the attack upon
the fire has now arrived II is as though
each contestant were summOning mp his
reserves with a view to one ovcrWhelm-
ing effort at mastery. Flames have cropt
into the cellars. rendering the task OF the
fremen IN that quarter almost impossible.
Several are overcome by heat and smoke
and are quickly removed TO the ambu-
lance. their places being speedily taken BY
rcliefs.
But still the fire gains. Moreover, a
new ally assists the flames in the shape
Of a snapped heavily charged electric
twists and writhes hither and thithcr.
menacing with instant death those who
again and again essay to check its career.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Continued from third page.

complished some things by assuming the
appearance of a power which we did not
really possess.
The first fight made was 10 keep poll
ties absolutely out of the force; and not
only politics, but every kind of improper
favoritism. Doubtless in making thou
sands of appointments and hundreds IF
promotions there were men who contrivcd
TO use influence of which ! was ignorant.
But these cases must have been few and
far between. AS far as was humanity pos
sible the appointments and promotions
were made without regard to any ques-
ton except the fitness Of the man and the
needs Of the service. AS civil Service
Commissioner had been instructing
heads OF departments and bureaus how to
get men appointed without regard to poll
itics. and assuring them that by following
our methods they would obtain first class
results AS Police Commissioner ] was
able practically to apply my own teach
.ngs.
Occasionally | would myself pick out a
man ard tell him TO take the examine
ton. Thus. one evening ] went down 10
speak in the Bowcry at the Young Men 5
Institute. a branch OF the Young Mems
Christian Association. at the request Of
Mr. Cleveland II. Dodge. While there he
told me he wished to show me young
Jew who had recently. by an exhibition
OF marked pluck and bodily prowess.
saved some women and children from a
burning building. The young jew. whose
name was Otto Raphael. was brought I'D
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

strove by every means Ia their power to
show that I'm making the force honest we
had impaired it's efficiency; and 10y their
utterances they tended to bring about the
very condition of things against which
they professcd To protest. But We went
steadily along the path We had marked
out. The fight was hard, and there was
plenty of worry and anxiety but We won.
| was appointed In May 1895. I'm Febru-
AIRY. 1897. three months before ! resigned
to become Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy, the judge who charged the Grand
Jury Of New York County was able To
congratulate them on the phenomenal de-
crease In crime. especially of the violent
sort. This decrease was steady during
the two years. The police. after the re-
form policy was thoroughly tried. proved
more successful than ever before in pro-
tecting life and property and Ia putting
down crime and criminal vice.
The part played by the recognition and
reward of actual personal prowess
among the members of the police force
In producing this state of affairs was
appreciable, though there were many
other factors that combined to bring
about the betterment. The immense inn
provement lin discipline caused by pun
ishing all offenders without mercy. no
matter how great their political or per-
sonal influence; the resolute warfare
against every Kind Of criminal who had
hitherto been able corruptly TO purchase
protection; the prompt recognition of
ability. even where II was entirely I'M
connected with personal prowess--all
these were elements which had enor-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

act on personal knowledge. one thing
that We did was TO cndeavor TO recognize
GdllantrY. We did not have to work "A
revolution In the force as To courage In
the way that we had TO work "A revolution
IN honesty. They had always been brave
in dealing with riotous and violent Grim
uals. But they had gradually become
very corrupt Our great work. there
fore was the stamping out OF dishonesty.
and this work We did thoroughly. so far
as the ridiculous Bipartisan law under
which the department was administered
wOuld permit But We were anxious that
while stamping out what was evil in the
force we should keep and improve what
was good. While warning on dishonesty
we made every effort to increase efiicien-
cy. II has. unfortunately. been shown by
sad experience that at times "A police or
ganization which Is free from the faint of
corruption may yet show itself weak In
some great crisis or unable 10 deal with
the more dangerous kinds OF criminals.
This We were determined To prevent.
our efforts were crowned with entire
Success The Improvement in the efiicien-
cy of the force went hand In hand with
the Improvement IN its honesty. The men
in uniform and the men I'm plain clothes
the detectives-did better work than ever
before. Tho aggregate OF crimes where
punishment followed the commission OF
the crime increased. while the aggregate
of crimes where the criminal escaped pun
ishment decreased. Every discredited pol
tician. every sensational newsI aper and
every timid fool who could be scared ~
clamor was against us. All three classes
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

/. Kisses enormously. its blue fare blinds
them In the pcr,ading gloom until with
one supreme effort II is seized and de-
urdcd OF il fanEs. being severed from
the main
"One successful skirmish does not. how
ever constitute "A victory. and a reinforce
mcnt Of the enemy appears to check too
confident an advance. The roof is get
intact. and upon the third floor the FIRE
men are met by great volumes Of dense
smoke which threatens 'backdraft' with
aNcs and hatchcts doors and shutters are
demolished. anything To create a draft
\ sheet of flame aud whirling eddy OF
sparks momcntarily envclop the workers
on the extension ladder. and few among
the watchers can credit their safety rs
they emerge from this fiery whirlpool
clothes burned hair snGcd. hands blis-
tered. but stlll fighting on with grim de
termination.
That marked the last desperate stand
of the enemy. The Niagara Of water Is
beginning to tell. and sullen pail of
smoke darkens the angry brilliance OF the
blaze. Some OF the companies are re-
called TO their stations to he I'm readiness
for other outbreaks. while a sufficient
number Of men remain until the last
Vestges OF their Zoe have disappeared
Then they. too. retire. perhaps 10 well
earned rest"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

to see me; a powerful fellow, with good
humored. intelligent face I asked him
about his education. and told him to try
the examination. lie did passed, was
appointed. and made an admirable officer;
and he and all his family, wherever they
may dwell, have been close friends #
mine ever since Otto Raphael was >
genuine East Slider. lie and ! were both
straight New York." to use the YER
nacular OF our native city. To show our
community of feeling and our grasp OF
the facts Of life. ] may mention that We
were almost the only men In the Police
Department who picked Fitzsimmons as
a winner against Corbett Ottos family
had come over from Russia, and not only
in social standing but ia pay a police
mans position meant everything to them
II enabled otto 10 educate his little
brothers and sisters. who had been born
In this country. and to bring over from
Russia two or three kinsfolk who had
perforce been left behind
Rather curiously. IL was by TO means
as easy To keep politics and corruption
ont Of the promotions as out of the en-
trance examinations. This was because
could take complete charge Of the Gu
trance examinations myself. and. more
over. they were largely authentic la
promotions. on the other hand. the prime
element was the record and capacity OF
the officer. and for this we had largely
to rely upon the judgment OF the mans
immediate superiors This doubtless
meant that IN certain cases that judg-
ment was given for improper reasons
However. there were cases where could
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

Turning To tho personal herosm dis
played by the fire fighters. chief Kenlor
rays them q high tribute. The careers OF
those who night the flames TEEN with
anecdotes Of splendid courage. self-deny-
ing neroism and hair-breadth escapes.
As an example of this he relates the fol-
lowing story.
''DuHng the progress of "a serious fire
in the city OF Boston the assistant chief
went 10 the top OF the building involved
for the purpose of opening the hydrantN
connected with its water protection.
Whilst thus engaged he was cut OFF from
ala means of escape save one, which
consisted of "A heavy telegraph cable
connected with q separate building across
the street. I'm order to make his predic-
ameut known he threw his fire helmet ,J
the ground. many feet below Extension
ladders were erected with all rapidly
but were prevented from reaching him
10y tauglc OF overhead wires.
by this time his clothing was on I'M,
and the position was rapidly becoming
untcnable MI that separated possible
life from a horrible death was that cable.
Crawling 10 the edge OF the building ne
swung himself on TO tine vine which
swayed and quivered with his weight.
with the utmost presence OF mind, hand
over hand and leg over leg. he worked
his way toward the centre of the cable
where he remained suspended ninety feet
above the ground. Had the line run di'
rectly across the street the officer. win
the distance he had actually covered
would have reached safety.
"But, unfortunately. the line was al
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

nous weight i'm producing the change.
Mere courage and daring, and the re-
werding of courage and daring cannot
supply the lack of discipline. of ability.
of honesty. But they are of vital con-
sequence. nevertheless. No police force
Is worth anything If its members are
not intelligent and honest; but neither
is 1t worth anything unless its members
are brave hardy and well disciplined,
We showed recognition of daring and
of personal provess in two ways: first,
by awarding medal or "A certificate liz
remembrance OF the deed: and. second.
by giving ii weight in making any pro-
notion especially TO the lower grades
In the higher grades-in all promotions
above that of sergeant. for instance
resoIute and daring courage canrot nor
mally be considered as a factor Of deter
mining weight In making promotions
rather is IL "A quality the lack of which
units man for promotion For i'm the
higher places we must assume the eX-
istencc OF such "A quality I'm any fit can
didate. and must make the promotion
with view to the mans energy. execu-
tive capacity and power of command.
In the lower grades. however. marked
gallantry should always be taken into
account I'm deciding among different can
didstes FOR any given place.
The next instalment OF Mr.. Roosevelt
thapt~rs Of Possible Autobioe raphy,'
IN entitled "The Police. Politicians and Vice -
u WIZ appear In the Issue of August 81.
Published by special arran cement with The
outlook OF which Theodore Roosevelt IL the
contributing editor. through the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate. Copyright ioi3 by
the outlook Company. All rights reserved
including rights OF translation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
MODERN WEAPONS.

1t is from this standpoint that Chief
Kenlon approaches the men who battle
with the flames. while OF the weapons
that they WELD he says: "rhe old days
of the manual have gone forever, and
though for many centuries little advance
was made in the mechanical aspect Of
fire lighting equipment. the last nifty
years have witnessed complete revOlu-
ton in the means and methods employed.
As the hand drawn manual gave way
10 the horse drawn steam engine, 80 mas
the latter i'm its turn been succeeded by
the automobile gasolene pump. Likewise
the Roman ladder. which for years
marked the limit of human ingenuity as
applied To means of entry to and rescue
from burning buildings, has been super
seeded To a large extent by mechanically
operated extension ladders of great
length. Such apparatus as water towers.
scarchights, high pressure pumps dan
scrous structure traps and 50 forth pre-
suppose high degIee of scientific skill
and technical knowledge on the part of
the fire fighter. who may thus legitimate
" claim to belong TO a well defined pro-
fession."
Chief Kenlon draws a convincing pict-
ure OF typical every day fire in the
warehouse district of any city" which
he declares is by no means over
co1ored -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Chief Of New York City Department Tells
Of Comp lete Revolution in Methods OF
Combating Mans Useful Friend, Fire,
When 1t Rears Itself as Foe.

celebrity which would put to shame the
demon in fairy play
While the others are following the
horses have already clattered from their
stalls and taken their allotted places un-
der their harness With snap and
click their collars are locked. the drivers
leap to their seats and as the station
doors swing automatically open the fire
men Chamber on to the apparatus. when
is already under way. Not so bad NUT
ters the officer in charge; eighteen sec
onds from the alarm.
Outside the night is chill and misty.
intensified by steady drizzlc. The
streets are greasy and the engine rocks
perilously from side to side as. with bell
changing and siren sounding, it dashes at
full speed along thoroughfares crowded
with homegoing pleasure seekers.
Arrived at the scene Of the outbreak,
it is found that the cause OF the trouble
is a large warehouse on the waterfront
full Of combustiblc materials already wei
ablaze. The driver. versed in the geog-
raphy Of the district pulls up at the
nearest hydrant y loud Gathering her
aids the approach OF the hose wagon. y
burly fireman deity catches the end OF
a hose section thrown TO him and couples
up 10 the standpipc Then the crew. with
an automatic precision born OF long cX-
perierce lay hold OF their weapons. the
nose pipes and advance TO the attack.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

The good Job falls not to nun, "" Cor Il
for it. but to him who has iouS"'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
BEHIND THE SCENES.

Picture warm, well lighted recrea-
ton room" ne writes. "A dozen iiremeh
are gathered about tables passing away
the time with dominos and pool, while
one of their number is amusing himself
at the piano by STUNNING over the latest
popular airs Suddenly the alarm gong
sounds IT is "A district call. and almost
instantaneously the men are In their jer-
seys and boots. The pianist has disap-
peared down che sliding pole with
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

10 insurance companies stands out an
other point in the most vivid relief
namely. the dire peril TO human life, OF
which these fends take no account
That this trade" is not confined TO men
and that women are often among It's
most expert followers is an astonishing
fact. glimpse OF their methods
afforded I'm the following story related by
Chief Kenlon. During the night OF Az
gust Is. 1870" ne writes. "a motorman on
a trolley ear passing down Third avenue
Brooklyn. noticed a red glare OF ire IN
one OF the houses on the route. WITH
commendable curiosity he stopped ana
investigated. He saw a woman. appar-
entity sleeping. near the doorway OF
shop with her two children beside her
one an infant i'm a cradle. Being h@
night. there was nothing particularly sur
prising in TINS The shop door, however
was ajar and the motorman peeped IN
\ strong smell OF bcnzine assailed n'
nostrils. and in his anxiety 10 ascertain
the cause he pushed the door fur'ne
open and stumbled upon two little DOT
fires blazing merrily.
A PLOT UNCOVERED.
Promptly arousns the apparenW
sleeping woman. he turned I'm the alarm
other tenants on the premises whiea
contained a number OF families and CHI
dren. rushed down and attempted 10 pa'
out the flames Then the sleeping beau'
OF fiction became the shrew of fact ANA
wicked one 10 boot
Don't do that" she screamed an
grily. You will only spread the fire. N''
the iiremen put IT out
Her peculiar anxiety not 10 have ".
outbreak promptly eNtinsushed arouse
suspicion and investigations were ndu'
Fircmen found several wide-mouthed wv,
ties I'm different parts Of the shop q.
/ containing kerosene. around their he'a'
, being tied cords which led 10 man
string passing out under the door
/ where this ingenious lady had been P''
tending TO sleep ,,.
Under a severe cross-eNaminatloh W.
woman broke down and confessed '"''
the fire had been arranged for her
professional irebug from Chicago D0
were placed on trial and the woman W"
sent TO prison for five years WINE -"
accomplish was sentenced to serve
term twice as long.
PRAISE FOR THE FIREMAN
Chief kenlon has deep and SIM
admiration for the instructive mo'
and bravery of the men who to"o" s,
trade. But. he says. lit is as We" 20.
all connected with the fre-hghtlhs
fessiou should leave notoriety 10 o'" "A
To whom il is as the breath OF w ,o,y
who find solace In well-turned ld"ua ,.,e.
phrases rather than i'm the quiet rhs
ton that they have done their pes. on.
student Of history must some'',", Ain
der how men of tine stamp Oh ,,,on
Washington. Rcnbow, Burke, VEINS ~.
and. of course that immortal he'o' 80
, son would have thought OF the nah,
hand press AGENT. limelight tor" " ried
licitv which to-day is so often -,,ee.
as the hall mark of meritorious I'm.
However the mole. II il works u"'.
accomplIshcs deal of tunne'''as, corys
eventually asce,tained, and the hre w., .s,lr
If the vo,ld. though the sphere VI s.a.
usefulness may not be readily ep.s
ated can afford 10 await &C.,. !.
rbe good lob falls not to him ""o
:, b., 80 bin, who has fought for
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
THE BUSINESS OF ARSON.

What Mr. kcnlon calls the trade OF
arson" furnishes some startling pages in
his book 1T is calculated" he SAYS
that incendiarism for the purpose OF ob.
tanning insurance money is responsible
for the destruction annually In New York
alone OF 100000 worth of property. That
a gang OF criminals should find IL both
easy and profitable To carry on ncen-
diarism as a regular calling seems almost
incredible and bespeals a species of toll
the community. quite apart from danger
to public property and unnecessary loss
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
REINFoRcEMENTs CALLED UP.

Above the roar Of the flames raging
up the elevator shaft Of the building re-
sounds the shrill crescendo Of ships
whistle 4 iircboat has responded 20 the
call and is vending its way rapidly along
the waters edge. Within a period meas
urcd only by seconds it also has joined
in the fray and is directing several
streams upon the rear of the main fire.
thus carrying out the most effective
mannuvre in modern warfare, that OF
outflanking the enemy.
Meantime other engines and other APP
paratus have arrived Curious crowds
have collected and strong drafts Of police
are kept busy in preventing the hamper
ing of the brigade's efforts. large
motor draws up. Its occupant is the FIRE
Chief. distinguishable from all others by
a white helmet. There is no confusion,
little excitement; the general has arrived
10 take the supreme command. An oihcer
briefly outlines the situation; the hre
has gained such and such a hold. so many
pieces of apparatus are being employed
wilma certain end In view; the only
question is whether the general is salts
fed that the forces are being used TO the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

An upward angle, and his efforts TO reach
the point which he had gained had Slapped
his vital energy 10 degree when
made further progress impossible. Men
were hastily placed on hose wagons.
which were backed in together 10 form
circle \ life net was then stretched
between them. i'm case his strength should
give out and his grasp relax
Fortunately at this juncture one OF
the firemen with a special knowledge OF
knots made his way TO the roof of the
house upon which the hre-free end Of the
cable was attached. Fastening a rope to
the cable he sawed the latter through.
thus enabling both man and cable TO be
lowered inch by inch toward the ground.
When the knot joining cable TO rope was
reached the officer lost his hold and was
caught by his comrades i'm ;he net ami
carried into the street. rwenty-tour
hours after this incident he Was able 10
report for duty and carry on as though
nothing had happened.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

~O any one who loves to draw up on
the curbstone and watch a trio Of
IL huge horses go gathering by with
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24

T%O any one who loves to draw up on
the curbstone and watch a trio Of
- huge horses 90 Gathering by with
a smoke belchinS fire engine roaring at
their heels the thrilling experiences OF
an actual fire fighter are sure to prove
interesting If the fire fighter is one who
has spent long years at his trade and
risen To a position of high responsibility
his story may prove enthralling.
John Kenlon is the Chief of the New
York City Fire Department. out OF his
great experience covering thirty years in
the New York Fire Department he has
constructed a volume, which Is at once
handbook for practical firemen and a
fascinating romance for the lay reader.
Fires and Fire Fighters is the title of
this recent publication of the George II.
Doran Company, and the author has
delved into every field that the title may
be conceived 10 cover. He calls the re-
suit "a history of modern fire fighting.
with a review of Its development from
earliest times"
HOME FIRES MOST FREQUENT.
1t has been estimated" says Mr.. Ken
lon, that no less than 81 per cent OF all
fires occur i'm the homes of the people.
and though these may not be attended
by the tremendous financial losses con-
stquent upon O2tbreaks in warehouses,
office buildings and the like, they strike
fear into the heart in a greater degree,
for it is the human hazard which is 1T
stake.
Few realize. also. the unremitting
labor. the devotion to service, the daily
acts Of heroism. the mental and pnyslr al
strain and the inadequate asknowleds-
ment in many instances by the public of
the achievements of the genus fireman.
Not that he wishes 10 be advertised, but
since the soldier. the sailor and even the
policeman loom large in general estima-
ton. it seems only just that something
should be written illustrative Of the lC-
sponsibilities intrusted 10 his charge. To
how many people does it ever occur that
negligence on the part Of a policeman
may result in the loss by robbery of a
few thousand dollars or the sacrifice Of
at most two or three human lives by muir
der. while the same fault on the part Of
a fireman may entail some hideous dis
aster involving scores of lives or the loss
of millions of dollars. Further. is it
realized that, whereas the soldier or sailor
risks his life for his country at rare in
tervals. the fireman takes the same
chances regularly in the course of his
daily dVocation2"