Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-19
SULLIVAN GRANTED
APUBL|C HEARING
Commissioners Act FavorabIy
on Request of Deputy
Fire Chief.
THURSDAY AT 10 AM.
is SET AS THE DATE
Statement Declares Opposition of the
Board to Publicity as a Gen
eral Practice.

Deputy Fire Chief Andrew j SuIli-
van. VIII" was informally requested to
apply Tor retirement following a secret
investigation made by COMMISSIONS
Siuuohs OF the management of tn.
American Five and Ten Gent Stor.
nfe December "a will be given a
ehahce to appear in open court BE-
iofe the Commissioners before any
further action Is taken in his case.
me District heads reached this de-
elsion at conference today and an
nounced that they would give a pub
iie nearing TO the deputy chief in the
ooafdroom of the Municipal building
Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.
Asked for Public Hearing.
Their action was based on request
bN Chief Sullivan. which was transmitted
through Attorney Charles W Darr that
MS case be considered at a hearing which
would be open TO the public. 1t is eN-
pected that many friends of the fireman
will be on hand to urge that his long
record in the department be considered
III connection with any action the Com
missioners propose to take.
In a statement given out this afternoon.
announcing their decision to hold the
hearing. the District heads reply to criti-
cism aimed at them for their action in
suggesting the retirement of the deputy
chief They point out that the Commis
sioners may fairly be presumed TO act
within the law and with the purpose
Of arriving at just conclusions in such
cases. The statement is as follows:
Statement by Commissioners.
Upon consideration of the application
of Deputy Chief Andrew J. Sullivan to
no fire neg
on the circumstances of his part in the
management of the fire at the FIVE and
ten cent store. December "a, in which
five hremen nearly lost their lives. tn.
Commissioners have determined to holu
such a hearing in the boardroom at the
District building. beginning at 10 O'Clock.
Thursday. January %, 1914.
Acting upon information adduced III
an inquiry conducted for the board of
| Commissioners by Commissioner Siddons
the board. through Commissioner Sid
dons, ten days ago suggested to MI Sui
Ivan that II he would apply for retire
ment on the pension allowed by law 1t
| would be ordered. Mr. Sullivan responded
| to this suggestion by requesting public
| hearing, which the Commissioners todat
decided to hold. for the purpose of en-
abling Mr.. sullivan TO present any addi-
] tionaI information he may have if any.
which should be in the possession OF the
| Commissioners before they take final ac-
! ton on the question of responsibility Tor
the injury and narrow escape from death
of the five fremen caught in the col
lapse of the five and ten cent store.
Opposed as General Practice.
| ut is further deemed proper to state
| that inquiries by the Commissioners or
any one of them into conditions of ad-
| ministration or conduct of municipal en-
| pIoyes in the performance of their da-
ties, cannot, as a general rule. and. in
| deed. in justice to all concerned. should
not be made in public. 1t may fairly be
presumed that the Commissioners in max
! ing such inquiries will act within the law.
and with no other purpose than to arrive
at just conclusions and to attain just re-
| suits.