The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-02-15

HAPPY
AS CLOUD LIFTS
Deputy Fire Chief Smiles as
Witnesses Shatter Neg
lect Charges.
DIXON BLAMES WAGNER
Says He Knew of Injured Mems Posi-
ton Before American Store
Collapsed.
BY 8, ID, wEYER.


drew J. Sullivan as he left the board
room at the District Building yesterday
afternoon. upon adjournment OF the third
days hearing before the trial board on
charges OF neglect OF duty and inefil-
cheney. preferred against him by the Dis
trict Commissioners
The somber garb OF guilt hung no
longer over the uniform he has worn
through thirty-fye years OF service as a
fire-fighter In Washington. Its last shreds
had been torn to pieces with the testi-
Inony rendered yesterday by witnesses
who lifted from his shoulders the blame
for the trapping of five frenien In the
American Five and Ten Cent Store Build
ing.
Sullivan had ordered the men into the
place I'm which they came near losing
their lives. At the time he had given
this order. IL was brought out In previous
testimony. there was no danger. no in
dication Of n collapse, and shortly after
Chief Engineer Wagner arrived on the
scene OF the fire he ordered Sullivan to
the top Of an adjoining building where
| the. deputy chief remained more than an
hour.
BASIS of Defense.
Upon this fact he based his refusal
to resign when Commissioner Siddons
had inofficially tipped him off, to do
so: upon this fact his counsel based the
structure of defense, claiming that from
that moment OF the chief engineers ap-
pearance Sullivan was relieved of the re-
sponsibility for the safety OF the five
men.
Capt. w. A. Dixon, Of No. : truck,
was the star witness yesterday.
Captain, under the conditions there.
and what happened. who do you think is
| responsible?' was asked of him by Cor
poration Counsel Syme, representing the
Commissioners.
The officer In charge replied the
witness.
And who was the officer in charge"
The chief engineer" came from Capt.
Dixon in a near whisper.
A surprise was sprung at yesterdays
hearing when Private Clayton G. Birch.
of No. Engine Company. one of the
men whose lives were endangered at the
blaze in question, stated that Capt
Dixon was aware OF the fact that the
men were in the building.
Corrects False Impression.
Up to that point tn. general assump-
ton had been that Sullivan and Capt.
EgloT. Of No. Is Company, were the
only two persons who knew of the po-
sition OF No. s Company. Birch's tes-
timCny was corroborated by Capt Dixon:
IL substantiated the testimony OF Chief
Wagner on the opening day of the trial.
that there were others around there
who knew the men had been sent in
there" -
Capt Dixon. replying to Birch's state
ment. testified that his men had been in
the building. that men were in the win
dows on the second floor in front. and
that there was never any idea of danger
to any man before the collapse came.
A touch of excitement was added to
Yesterdays proceedings by a tilt be-
tween Attorney Charles W. Darr. chief
Of counsel for Sullivan. and Capt. Will
lam +. Lanahan. of Company s. Lana
han was one of the witnesses at Com
missioner Siddons' secret probe On
the DAY of the fire he was ON duty
but responded to the third alarm.
Tries to shake Testimony.
Attorney Darr. in a gruelinC cross-eN-
animation. attempted to shake the tes-
timony given by Capt Lanahan at the
original investigation.
CORPORATION Attorney Syme protested,
saying that the conflict OF testimony was
OF a trivial nature. Lanahan at one point
half rose in his chair and shouted that
he would not stand for having my
veracity questioned" There was no use
in trying to brand me as liar" he
said. Attorney Darr explained that 1t
was necessary to delve even into the
apparently trivial details in order that
all the facts and the whole truth be
known
Can't Iannan was examined and cross
examined by Mr. Syme and Attorneys
Darr and Daniel W. O'Donoghue, alter
nately. He steadfastly chung to his
original statement that in his opinion,
.'alI the chiefs should keep posted on
the position of the various companies
and individuals. The chiefs should con-
suit enc another as to the location of
their subordinates. especially at danger
Gus fire." he stated. The following is
an extract of his testimony:
Q.-Would you like to express an opin-
ion as to whose fault il was that the
men were buried in the building?
It's Up to the Chiefs.''
Al don't know. sir. 1t seems to me
il was up to the chief.
Off you had been ordered into the
building by Deputy Chief Sullivan. would
you have considered it his duty to look
after you?
Ats up to all the chiefs to look
after the men. That's their business.
That's what they draw their salaries for.
Q.-You think IT the duty of all above
you to look after your sa1etE!
Ayes, sir.
When questioned about the hose lead
ing into the building. Capt. Lanahan tes-
tilted IL was in plain sight, and that he
could easily see 1t despite the fact that
his eyesight is mot overly good.
don't want any false honors or claim
glory" said the captain at the close of
his testimony. He asked that Private
Lyon be called to testify and corroborate
his statements. He referred to newspaper
differences about claiming glory"
Had n Safe Position.
Private Birch told at length OF his ex-
periences during the time he and the four
other men were trapped in the burning
building. He stated positively that when
they were sent into the fire. there was no
indication Of any danger. Their position
was good. he added. and I'VE were GER
tainly killing fire"
Both witnesses knew of no rule that
compels any officer to make reports to
their superiors as to the position of GER
tain companies
The hearing is expected to continue dur
ing the greater part of this week. 1t will
be resumed tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.
Year rings on the scales OF fish are
used in Norway and France to determine
the age OF sardines. whether they have