Evening star., 1947-07-19
Suspended Captain
Plans Fight as Probe
Into Blast Is Ordered

A full-fedged inquiry into the
flrehouse boiler explosion which in
jured four members of No. II
Engine Company Thursday hac
been ordered today as the com.
pany's captain said he did not in.
tend to take his suspension Lying
down"
Suspended by Chief Clement
Murphy, following the findings ol
four Fire Department officials, wa!
Capt. w. v. James, a fireman fol
10 years. He has a top efficiency
rating of S65.
"All I know is that I have beer
suspended until further notice.
most UNUSUAL action in the depart.
ment," Capt. James said. Il am or
a spot, I know, and do not care tt
comment other than to say that
certainly don't intend tof take II
lying down."
Capt. James is an active member
OF the Firemen's Association, Local
36, International Association OF
Firefighters (AFL). whose presi-
dent attacked Chief Murphy before
a congressional committee several
weeks ago.
Capt. Joseph w. Conroy, ssso-
citation president, refused to COM
ment on the possibility of any con-
nection between the attack and
the suspension of Capt. James.
Attacked Chief on Legislation.
The president OF the association
whose membership includes TOO OF
the Districts 900 hremen, attacked
Chief Murphy several weeks ago
at a House hearing on a firemen's
work week bill for his opposition
to reducing the working hours OF
firemen.
Capt. James has yet to receive
any specific charge against him and
we think the procedure is bad,
Capt. Conroy said. I'VE certainly
don't consider that to the best in.
terests of our members"
The association, Capt. Conroy
said, will pay any legal fees incurred
by Capt. James in his fight against
suspension. He added that the as.
sociation may make a statement or
the suspension Monday, when the
groups attorney, William J. Rowan
returns to the city.
The officials who brought the find.
ings which resulted In Capt. James
suspension were Chief Murphy
Deputy Chief J. A. Mayhem, Fire
Marshal r. c. Roberts and Battalion
Chief w. C. Reese. They found thai
Capt. James had failed to take prop.
er precautions to provide for the
safety of his men, the chief said.
Chief Cites Three Violations.
Chief Murphy disclosed that Capt
James had violated at least three
sections of Fire Department rule
in permitting his men to use mix
ture of gasoline and oil to treat
the tubes and infer surfaces of th'
station house boiler. Fumes from
the mixture exploded when the!
reached the flames of q nearby Goa
stove.
Chief Murphy charged that james
showed lack of judgment in falling
to consider the safety of the mel
under him and neglecting to motif.
Arm alarm headquarters immedi
ately following the blast"
A board of inquiry appointed b.
Chief Murphy, including Deput!
Chief Mayhem, Marshal Robert
and Battalion Chief P. A. Davis
has been sitting evidence" to re-
port its findings to Chief Murphy
who will decide whether Capt
James must go before Fire De
partment trial board.
Chief Murphy said he wanted II
provide Capt. James with ever,
opportunity to be given full ant
complete investigation by top-rank
ing Fire Department ofhcials. Tha
is why a board of inquiry wa
named" he added.
Copies Of the suspension orde
and results Of the preliminary In
vestigation were forwarded to tn
District Commissioners, who mus
approve the action.