The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-12
CHE REFUSES
HERO MEDAL
AWARD
Fire Department Head De-
clines The Washington
Times Honor.

George s. Watson. Chief Of the
Fire Department, who was recon-
Intended for decoration with the
Washington Times hero medal TOR
his services in directing the rescue
Of victims Of the Knickerbocker
Theater disaster, today declined the
award.
Chief Watson, in q letter to Com
missioner Cino. H Rudolph, chair
man OF the award COMMITTEES, said
that he greatly appreciated the
honor, but felt that he was not en-
titled to the award.
Every. officer and member OF the
department who was on duty dur
ing the period of the disaster, and
who served at that disaster or at
either Of the two additional alarm
fires which occurred on the same
night, should share equally In such
recognition. he said.
II feel that all the officers and
members Of the department are en-
titled to the same credit az that
which the committee has been kind
enough to grant me-.
WatsOn's Reasons.
The chief called attention to the
fact that the, awards have previ-
ously been made for individual
valor or. bravery which would en-
title a fireman to distinguished rec
ognition. He said this was one of
the reasons why he did not feel he
should accept the award,
Chief Watson's letter in full fol-
lows:
my dear Mr.. Rudolph:
ST am today advised that the
committee appointed to award
medals in the Police and Fire De.
partments, of which COMMITTEES you
are chairman, has recommended
that the Giles-Griffin Medal OF
Valor donated annually by the
Washington Times, be awarded to
me.
1oI appreciate more than can
express the great honor thus con-
ferred upon. me by the committee,
but I feel it only proper to invite
attention to the fact that, according
to my understanding, the medal re-
ferred to was donated by the Wash
ingtOn Times for award to an
officer or member Of the Fire De
partment who had risked his NE
in the fire4fighting service and VINO
had demonstrated beyond question
exceptional individual valor or
zravery which would entitle him to
the distinguished recognition IN Ques-
ton.
GAS I understand it. the medal
was awarded to me on the basis Of
a commentator by the Commits
sioners for the services rendered by
myself and the officers and mem
hers of the fire department. at the
Knickerbocker, Theater disaster. /
do not feel that I am entitled to,
or that I should accept, the award
Especially is this true
when it is borne in mind that every
officer and member of the depart
ment who was on duty during the
period of the disaster. and who
served at that disaster or at either
Of the two additional alarm fires
which occurred on the same night, |
should share equally in such recog- |
milton.
mo one could appreciate more
LAAc~H l. LAG ItO4lOL Which, 40 SOtAASAACN |
upon me, and no one would take |
more pride in being the recipient of |
the award did conscientiOusly feel |
that I were entitled to it, but, as |
stated abe re. feel that all the of.
ficers and members Of the depart
ment are entitled to the same credit |
as that which the committee has
been kind enough to grant to me.
1T ask, therefore. that the commit
tee reconsider it's action"
Committee to Act.
The committee, it is believed,
will accept Chief Watson's recon-
and make some other
of the medal.
Plans are now being made to
make the presentation of the two
medals, one for the Fire and the
other for the Police Department, at
elaborate exercises to be held IN
he Central High School.
Robert Lee Jones, of the Eighth
Police precinct, who lives at 474 [
" street southwest with his wife 1
md two three-months-old twins,
vas awarded the police medal for
bravery in action. He, I
it the risk az his own life, ran In
ront of a street car and saved an
I'D woman from being run over.
Ia was knocl<ktli dawn and Yniure6l