The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-14
WORKMEN INVADE OLD
CUSTODIAN'S ROOMS
Janitor Ryan. Long in Charge
Of City Hall, Says lie viii
Fight to Stay.

with crowhars and axes a gang OF
workmen from the Office Of the Manhattan
Commissioner of Public Works entered
the apartments OF ex-Custodian Ryan on
the top floor Of city Hall yesterday morn
Ing and began to rip off doors and sashes
with such vigor that the noise was heard
in the lower corridors and the ancient dust
seeped through TO the room where the
aged janitor lay.
II was the real beginning OF the city
officials attempt to force out Ryan, who
has been fighting since January to re-
tain his position and living rooms. Ryan
was forced to admit that they had gained
a point on him yesterday, but he said
they had to use weapons TO do e.
Ryan received notice last Saturday TO
vacate at once. lie was dropped from the
city payroll on June l. but he insists that
he Is still the janitor OF the building.
Since he was injured while preparing the
Hall for the funeral OF Mayor Gaynor he
has been confined to his bed He stumbled
over electric wires at that time and frac-
tured the great toe OF his right foot.
Gangrcnc developed and for time II was
thought his leg would have to be ampu-
tated Finally three toes were removed.
The wound IL now nearly well. but his
physician tells him IL would I've dangerous
to move while there Is Inflammation In the
wound.
~ walked into this building a well
man" said Mr.. Ryan to reporter for
THE Sun Inst night. land hoped to leave
II. II God spared me. by the same way.
but they want 10 get me out no matter
how so long as they are rid OF me.
This new type Of official is all theory.
They have no Kindness In their makeup.
My unfortunate injury was caused by
overwork while I was performing my
duty. Now ! must risk my life while they
spend thousands Of the peoples money to
transform my apartments into an art gall
lery.
well. I am here TO stay until they put
me out. ! saved this building once from
sure destruction by Are at the risk of my
own life. That suppose counts for
nothing with this new type OF Impractical
reformers. And suppose the fact that I
was the nrst to point out the practcab!lty
OF the high pressure system will 20 for
hhubhi " h''p INC INV bhfs "'' uvWi'
on my back. Sixteen cities have adopted
this new system OF fighting f,res, which
has saved millions in property and how
many lives one can only conjecture.
But this Is not plea, for pleas do not
count for much in these times of great
accomplishments on paper Let me get
back the use of my legs and I will show
them the sort of Irish ] am made OF,
Make note OF this. the old man you
saw down in the main corridor is the
sole Waterman of this ancient structure,
which contains art treasures second 10
none in this country, except in the few
museums. In valuable papers no bank IN
the city compares with what It contains
No amount OF money could replace the
old relics OF tho City Hall. This old
man gets $3.50 per day. If fire should
start he would be lucky TO save his own
life. let alone try TO put II out.
Il am an engineer, When ! was we'll
watched over this structure Just as II
it was my own. Every place you turn you
see something Of value In this venerable
building. And TO think they have a
$3.50 day Waterman whose duties are TO
watch over the most valuable building
IN our fair city"