Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-06
FOURTEEN YEARS
AS AN OFFICER:
MAKES CHARGE
Fire Chief Paul J. Moore Finds
It Necessary to Bring a De-
linquent to Book.

The first formal charge ever made
against a fireman by Chief Paul 7
Moore, during his fourteen years Of
service as an officer came to a trial
at yesterdays meeting of the Fire
Commissioners. Charles J. Reilly If
chemical Company No. l, was the
fireman who caused the chief TO
break his long record in this
respect Reilly, on June %. acted
In disrespectful manner to Chief
Moore when he summoned him to his
office for friendly advice.
After his trial the commissioners
fined Reilly fifteen days pay. the
time he was suspended and ordered
; him transferred from his old quar-
terss Harry Faust, of Engine Com
pany No. Il, was fined ten days pay
, and the time embraced In a Tong sus-
pension period for intoxication.
CHIEF Moore, at the opening Of the
Reilly trial, made this statement to
the commissioners:
sent for Fireman Charles
Kelly, as | have often sent for 9TH
ers, who We're disregarding rules of
discipline, and whose conduct was
preJudicial to the good reputation of
the fre department AS head of the
uniformed force I feel it incumbent
upon myself to pursue this course.
Ana have board approval for such
action.
Il advise and counsel hayward
tremen for their individual welfare
ana the good of the service / find
IT necessary to chide and scold some,
considering 1t better to do this than
nave formal charges preferred and
Inc Offenders placed on trial 1t is
certainly better for the men them
selves, and as 4 general thing, re-
suits have been gratifying.
n this particular case the fireman
had been a persistent transgressor
OF a rule concerning the borrowing
OF money and the payment of lust
debts, and the general regulation
bearing upon conduct prejudicial to
the reputation, good order and disci-
pine of the department
His case called for sharp treat
ment, he, by his attitude, forcing
such treatment. I pointed out to him
that his methods relating to money
transactions were crooked and dis
honorable, and l assert they are both,
II they are anything. I regret to
say that on several occasions I have
felt inpehed to tell others the same
ffn1ng of their own actions, but they
We're frank enough to admit that 1
fSas right and thanked me for speak
ing plainly.
Borrowing money. with no inten-
tlon to repay and there certainly was
no attempt made up to that time to
repay. means the mourning of liahili-
TIES that the fireman is unable or I'M
wiling to honorab'y discharge. Other
matters affecting the good reputation
OF the department the commissioners
are quite familiar with
This man would not take advice as
IT was Intended. He became beilig-
erent and defiant, his wife being pres
ent, and declared that there was
nothing in his doings that were ever
crooked, shouted that my admonition
to him meant fight and started to I'M
button his vest. l ordered him back
to quarters and would have suspended
him on the spot, but for his whining
plea that if he were suspended he
would blame it on his wife. / acted
throughout from the viewpoint of
privilege and discretion
The commissioners later. upon an
investigation of Reilly's case and af-
fairs, directed that the chief engineer
suspend him from active duty. This
order was carried out. The charge of
showing disrespect to superior Off
Ger was subsequently entered
This is the first time in my four
teen years as an officer of the fire de-.
psrtment that l felt compelled to
pursue this course"
Reilly pleaded guilty to the charge,
explaining that he was not in control
of his temper.
Chief Moore later interceded in the
fireman's behalf to the extent of max
ing a request to the commissioners
not to dismiss Reilly from the SER
vice.
Faust pleaded guilty to the charges
against him, but asked President
Weber if he could make a statement.
THE president granted his request.
N Commissioners. on that day 1 was
not feeling good. | took sonlepginger
brandy This was all the commits
sioners would allow him 10 say.
Mr.. Weber said:
I'VE have heard all of those
excuses too many times Be a
man and tell the truth" said the pres
lident. Commissioner Burke then told
Faust that he believed that he took
too much of the ginger brandy for his
|ailment, and that at all events it was
the wrong dope.
The commissioners directed special
attention to sections 10, 25 and 2S of
These sections deal with transfers
and the obligations of officers in the
department.
NeIson-ling