The Washington herald., 1914-02-13

| was tOr long time dean OF pOliti-
cal science at Columbia University and
more recently legal adviser to the re-
public OF China.
even more members of the fire DEPART
ment will result from this probe is doubt
ed by none The fact that the trial in
wolves men who have served the District
Loyalty. faithfully and heroicaIly for more
than three decades adds TO the general
depression Of the thousands OF their
friends and admirers.
Importance was attached to Chief wag-
ner's statement In the course of his ex-
animation that he had stated repeatedly
If the pension system in the District
4 were such as to allow a man to take care
OF himself after leaving the service ]
| would retire"
The first day OF the public trial of
Deputy Chief Sullivan showed clearly
that there is a deplorable lack of definite.
positive and exact written rules and reg
ulations, especially concerning the safety
and protection OF men while fighting fire.
sweeping reform I'm this respect is pre-
dicted.
Did Not Locate No. 6.
The following are excerpts from the
most important part of the testimony of
Chief Wagner. questions being asked by
Counsel Syme.
Don't you famiIiarize yourself with the
positions Of your respective companies?"
Yes"
night
1T was impossible"
Couldn't you trace the endangered
men by the hose leading into the build
ing?"
'sThe hose uax co,...os .;.L =,
No. 81"
Because it wasn't in sight anywhere
L should have been notified"
"hen somebody failed to notify youl
where this company was-and YOU saw n
Is their duty to do sold you make them
perform it,"
II didn't know the men were in there"
TO arrive?"
Go right in where they see the fire.
night INA
Yes. II he was convinced in hi, own
mind that the men were safe in there"
NOW, chief, ! want TO ask YOU a oues- ;
hon' and / want you TO think well before
'ou answer it How did You first find
'ut that the men were covered up?"
Tells of Finding Line.
Here Chief Wagner repeated the s,orv i
u the discovery of the line leading to .
ne place where the men were trapped =
nat ne told to Commissioner Siddons !
Did not some civilian about the tim.
the collapse call your attention to the
act that the men were in the buildinc?"
don't remember anything of that
ort" =
You don't deny it,"
Didn't this man call your attention
vice." :,
Il don't remember. That's the best an "
Ter i can give il
After a short while, during which he 81
as evidently searching his memory. the Il
1ief added: b.
We'll, hold on. it comes to me now
lat some one said NO. went in there il
I'D has gone out the back way but p
no 1t was L can't remember for the G
'e Of me-" Sc
When You went to No. u engine d.
'use did you notify any one?'' pl
NO. sir" Iii
Should Sullivan. being acting chief in
'ur absence. have been notified that Ia
u were going away" or
Yes
Did You notify him.
No. sir: didn't have time"
Couldn't you have sent your orderly?" -
Yes. could" Sc
Did you?' ia
No" DO
DID Not Have TO Report. me
III Sullivan was satisfied in his own 60
nd that the men were safe at the time 20
left you, he didn't have to report as 'h'
Is custom only to make such re-
IT'S in extraordinary cases?" q
That's right
And the chief did his duty up to the I'll
ndle that night?''
He certainly did"
Then. as understand it, Chief waK- G
!, you are not prepared to say under dol
n what you said to Commissioner ITni
dons In the private inquiry. namely. the
the sending into the building by inp
livan Of the FIVE men was an error o.
judgment- ;cs
No." ~.
When Sullivan was fighting on top was
the shoe store and the collapse oc- ana
!. GU oio ne nave any right to believe and
e .op.ain nad tahen the men out? into
don't think he did +.
Why notT' ,ra,
1t the time Sullivan left me in control nr;v
the fire, there was no Indication of ear,
ians IN. Ihere was no the
- Ts eonepse' II came with ava
W. iHero WePe OtnerS standing
md who must have known that the =
were in there" q
'ou made no inquiries as to any men
6 in there?' Hi
10, it was impossible. Not soul told
about it."
What is your opinion Of Chief Sui IN
4 as a fire fighter" oi
!e is one of the best the District ever onn, on,s
Az tn Retlrem.,t esca
Sam
ing?"
'ell, 1 have said this: That IL the ST.
ION fund were in such a condition to c,