The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-01-10
FIRE CHIEFS AID
| ASKED TO resign
Commissioner Siddons Re
fuses to Deny Action IN
Sullivan Case.
"sTAR CHAMBER PROBE
Secret Investigation Of Seventh Street
Fire Causes Speculation on
Outcome.

trapping OF five fremen in the burn
ing building of the American Five ant
Ten Cent Store. in Seventh street. De
Icember "a, Deputy Fire Chief Andrew
j. Sullivan yesterday was asked In
formally and ,unofficially by Commits
sioner Siddons to request retirement.
Whether Deputy Chief Sullivan vii
comply with this unofficial order could
not be determined yesterday. though
IL Is generally conceded to be probable
/, that he will do so.
The same deep cloud of secrecy thai
covered the hearings held behind
closed doors in Mr.. Siddons' office In
connection with the fire probe wal
maintained by Mr.. Siddons as to the
report Of his action yesterday. ever
after 1t had been published in an aft.
ernoon paper. The Commissioner de-
clined to answer any specific ques-
tions. and neither confirmed nor denied
the report. The following statement
issued by him late yesterday after
noon. however, sheds a significant light
upon his attitude toward Deputy Chief
Sullivan. and upon the future course
to be taken by him in the matter:
Statement of sIddens.
My attention has been called to al
| article In an evening paper. in which II
Chief Sullivan. of the fire department. my
desire that he apply foltretirement, and
in the article referred TO Mr.. Sullivan
as making certain statements concerning
the matter. All that / care to say or
the subject at this time Is that IL Mr.
Sullivan shall submit an application for
retirement, ] shall move that the same
| be granted. In this connection 1 am
glad to be able to say that Mr.. Sullivan
| a q q
ment for thirty-hve years and up to a
recent date has been excellent, and for
| his sake shafi be ,-lad II he terminates
his active connection with the depart
ment leaving a record which. on the
whole. has been very commendable.
Signed 'F. X sIDDoNs."
significance is attached to Mr.. Sid
dons' statement that up to a recent
GATE" Mr.. Sullivan's record has been ex-
cellent and that for his (Sullivan's)
sake Mr.. Siddons shall be glad II the
deputy chief terminates his active con-
nection with the fire department
Just what is meant by the phrase ''re-
cent date" Mr.. Siddons declines to state,
but those who claim to be ION the in
| side" assert that the date referred to is
that of the blaze, which resulted in the
secret probe
Deputy Chief Sullivan. when inter-
viewed last night. said he did not know
just what he would do, in the matter. 81
have nothing to say and will not do any,
thing until the thing has become a little
more settled" he said.
Question Not Discussed.
Did you receive any communication
from Mr.. Siddons today" was asked of
him.
II did not" was his positive reply.
WAS Mr.. Siddons alleged desire that
you tender your resignation communi-
Gated to you over the telephone. by mes
senger or in any other manner?' he was
asked.
II do not care to answer that quss-
tion," he answered.
The principal question that formed the
basis of the fire investigation was: who
ordered the five men into the burning
building. where they lay pinned down by
timbers and debris for more than an hour
and a half?'
When questioned as to whether he had
ordered the men into the building. Deputy
Chief Sullivan answered in the negative.
He added, however, that orders were
given as in any other fire."
The witnesses called in by Mr. Siddons
were examined singly. Their testimony
is kept secret Commissioner Siddons
stated last night that concerning the
probe he may not have anything fur
ther to say"
Mr. siddons' action yesterday was in
direct contrast with his previous an
nouncement that eff carelessness OF lack
Of judgment on the part Of any member
Of the fire department is disclosed in the
fire probe. charges will be preferred and
formal investigation begun by the trial
board"
Members of the Fire Department are
advancing the question as to whether
Deputy Sullivan was asked to retire in
order to prevent any charges, the sub
sanitation of which might show that
his record was excellent only up to a
recent date" On the other hand, Sulli-
van. IL he feels himself free from any
blame. may demand a formal investiga-
ton by the trial board. |
Meanwhile the people Of Washington |
are wondering whether and when they
will learn the exact finding of the Com |
missioner.
800 Pension Mentioned.
1t was stated automatically yesterday |
that II Deputy Chief Sullivan requests re-
tirement, he VIII receive 800 a month the
maximum amount provided by law. This
again gives rise to the question as to the |
reason for Commissioner Siddons' ,ac-
ton, as IL Is pointed out that IL Sullivan |
was guilty OF negligence he certainly
"ouiu hot NC tnlitleu 10 a pension.
would be retired, not asked to resign. A |
twenty days leave of absence. beginning
next Monday and expiring February l. is
said to be a suggestion contained in Com
missioner Siddons' message to Sullivan.
A general reorganization in the Fire
Department which might even assume
the proportions of a shake-up. Is pre-
dicted in the event that Sullivan asks his
retirement. An interesting situation 10
which poiitic' influence may play
prominen- part IL thus promised.
The position next II. line to Deputy
Chief Sullivan is held by James Keliher.
first battalion chief. stationed at No. 4 |,
truck compa1.-. while Samuel B. Henry Is
second battalion chief a. Nc truck COM
pany. and Charles.<B. Proctor is third
chief. Proctor was one of the
witnesses IN the fire probe.
II have no regrets so far as my career
as a fireman is concerned" said Sullivan
last night. When I entered the depart
ment thirty-five years ago, took an oath
to defend life and property. and fully
realize that took my life in my own
hands when accepted the position"
Fire CHIEF Wagner last night highly
commended Deputy Chief Sullivan as