The Washington herald., 1914-02-17
"FIREMEN'S FATE
RESTS ON GUESS
Deputy Chief Sullivan, Testi-
flying at His Trial, Urges
Changes in Rules.
PUTS BLAME ON WAGNER
Hundreds Listen to AccusS11 Man.
Version of Recent Seventh
Street Store Fire.
PUTS BLAME ON WAGNER
By 5. ID. wEYER.

similar 10 the trapping OF nVe urernen IN
the burning American Five and Ten Cent
Store Building. December "a last, for
(which the Commissioners hold the deputy
chief responsible on the ground that he
Twas guilty OF ineficiency by sending the
men into the building and Of neglect of
duty by leaving them in there without
reporting to any one.
Sullivan testified before the trial board
yesterday. For the first time since he
was unofficially informed by Commits
sioner Siddons. upon the conclusion of the
latter's "star chamber probe. Sullivan
publicly gave his version of the story.
shows Lack of -Rsies.
| The above explanation of the present
irules-or rather absence Of rules-govern-
ing the safety of firemen in the District
was the most startling feature Of his
testimony.
| Under the conditions as they exist to-
day. Sullivan holds Chief Engineer Frank
J. Wagner responsible for what occurred
at the blaze which forms the object of
the public inquiry.
| Here's a summary Of Sullivan's testi-
mony on that point:
| II met Chief Wagner about five min
utes after the second alarm had been
turned in. He sent me at once up to the
| roof Of the adjoining shoe store to kill
4
lieved Of all responsibility as to the front
part OF the fire. When I sent the men
| into the building they had a fine and
safe position. If they came into danger
later, when I was away, II was up to
the man in command OF the whole fire
to look out for them"
Sixteen other witnesses were heard yes
terday. Each testified that there was no
rule compelling an officer to report to
his superior as to the position of certain
companies. Each called the place where
| Sullivan sent the five men ''the only
place where he should have sent them %
Each paid a high tribute TO the accused
| fire-fghter.
"He Can't BE Beat"
| "He can't be beat there's none bet
| ter in town." "'the best In the fire depart
ment'' and ''the best in the country"
were some of the answers by witnesses
| for the defendant to questions from At
torney Daniel W. Donaghue and Charles
w. Darr as to SulIivan's ability.
| Briefly summarized. these were the
principal revelations brought out at yes
4 terday's hearing:
No. Engine Company, consisting OF
the FIVE injured firemen, was not the
orIy one in the building at the time Of
] the collapse. When the crash came, No.
Il company was twenty feet in the build
|
| they backed out
Fire Marshal Philip Nicholson retract-
| ed his statement given to Commissioner
Siddons in the private inquiry, that Will
lam NJ. Nash, driver for Deputy Chief
Sullivan, had shortly after the collapse
told him CNicholson) that sullivan Is
| worried about No. g." He testified yes
terday that what Nash did say was that
the chief was concerned. meaning Chief
Wagner.
Says He Was MisIed.
| That Nicholson's previous statement
/ had done a considerable injustice to Sui
Iivan. as it implied that the latter knew
of the danger in which the men were,
was admitted by Corporation Attorney
| Syme, representing the Commissioners,
when he said: 81 will admit that your
original assertion mised me-" The wit
ness said he was "glad to make this cor
| rection."
Many of the witnesses, including Sulli-
| van, placed the bulk of the responsible
| ity for men fighting fire inside a build
ing upon the shoulders of the respective
| company captain. THE man in charge
| has to look out for his men and at the
indication of any danger should lead
| them to safety was the substance Of
| their testimony.
.
according to the unanimous opinion of
counsel for the defense, Mr.. Syme and
| the trial board. Three hundred heads
bent eagerly forward as the accused dep
| uty chief, his knees crossed and his chin
| resting on his right hand, elbow sup
ported by the arm of his chair, with
clear. calm voice answered the rapid-ire
Questions hurled at him by the corpora
ton attorney.
| CIings to Original Story.
Desperate efforts on the part Of Mr.
/ Syme to make Sullivan admit that he
| had been 'forgetful,'' and that Chief
| Wagner should have been told of the po-
| sition Of No. s. were frustrated by the
j witness who steadfastly clung to the
theory that the absolute safety of the
/ men at the time they were sent inside
| and the arrival of Chief Wagner relieved
him, the witness. of all responsibility.
Occasionally sharp but brief tilts
sprang up between the corporation at
torney and Attorney O'Donoghue.
During the first part of his examina-
tion of Sullivan, Mr.. Syme put his ques-
tions in an informal. friendly tone ad-
| dressing the witness as you slr' and
speaking OF the boys and the "fel-
lers." Suddenly. however. his voice and
manner of questioning changed.
This change came when Sullivan
said:
THE five men were in a splendid po-
sition and had a magnificent job. They
were in the prime of their glory"
yes, guess they enjoyed 1t them
selves until the building fell on them"
interrupted Syme sarcastically.
When the deputy chief said that a
captain has got to take them chances"
the corporation attorney shouted:
Then. under present conditions, 1t is
possible that five or six men, fighting
fire inside a building. face the dan
ger of the building collapsing and
burying them without being called out
by some one outsider"
II Yes. sir: that's the way it's been
ever since I have been in the depart
ment." replied Sullivan calmly.
well. sir. that's the most astound-
| ing thing 1 ever heard Of" rejoined
the corporation attorney.
4 Il never had a chief or assistant chief
| or battalion chief who went after me
when was in dangerous position with
my men," volunteered Sullivan. ''I guess
| they didn't individually care whether i
would be h. led or crippled or anything
else. had to care for myself. We have
to take them chances"
DID Not See Danger.
\ Mr.. Syme then endesvored to make the
witness admit that he knew Of the dan