Year: 1871




In communication which we publish in
another column from the Fire Commissioners
TO Mr.. Bergh it is clearly shown that in at
tacklng the Fire Department Mr.. Bergh has
stepped aside from the legitimate field of his
operations. No one doubts for moment that
city by tho exercise of that practical humanity
on which their society is based, but it should
be plain to a man like Mr.. Bergh that in the
case Of firemen going to conhagration, whers
not only property Of great value is at stake, but
human lives also, his complaint of fast driving
is mere shadow. Mr. Bergh wrote to the
Commissioners, alleging that owing to the
reckless driving of one of their men in Nassau
street few days ago young man had his leg
broken; and this accident was made text for
general dissertation on the manner in which
the fire engines and trucks are driven along the
streets. After dilating at great length upon the
subject, and speaking of the chances the fire.
men have of saving life, Mr.. Bergh says,
''The remedy is worse than the disease for
1t is far better that few mere pieces of timber
should be consumed than that men, women
and children should be crushed beneath these
modern cars of Juggernaut in their efforts to
reach burning building few moments
sooner" In the first place Mr.. Bergh forgets,
or overiooks, the fact that the right Of way
and rapidity Of movement are provided for and
established by law in order to protect the lives
and property of citizens But in the exercise
of this provision no apparatus is allowed to be
driven more rapidly than man, who runs in
front of the horses, can make his way along
the street. Every instance of the violation of
these rules is promptly investigated, and 50
effectual has been the discipline under the
present Commissioners that during period of
nearly five years there have not been as many
accidents from street collisions, &C., as there
were in one year under the old regime. OF
all our public servants those having charge
OF the Fire Department are least open to GEN.
sure. No sooner is the alarm of ''fire" given
than the men are ready to risk their lives in
the attempt to save life and property. But
the Fire Commissioners cite fact
to Mr.. Bergh which knocks his theory of saw
ing burning timbers ''on the bead" They
show where the arrival of a ladder-truck with
the utmost speed was the means of saving
eight persons, who had been driven on to the
roof of burning house, on the 26th of Sep
tember last. A few moments-not minutes
later and these eight persons would have
perished. What would Mr.. Bergh or the citi-
Zens of New York have said if the truckmen
had waited in the streets discussing the ques-
tion of fright of way" with express vans and
fruit carts until after these persons had been
launched into eternity? All would have
prayed for the Legislature to confer the right
of way on the Fire Department Immediately
If Mr.. Bergh will visit the Commissioners they
will, no doubt, gladly exhibit their studs of
horses for his inspection, and he can report
upon the animals and keep within the line of
his duty but it will be better for Mr.. Bergh
not to interfere in the future with depart
ment whose management could be by no
means improved by any suggestions he might
advance. ri. ~. ~.ss ',:i ~