Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1910 — SNAPSHOTS AT CELEBRITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SNAPSHOTS AT CELEBRITIES

Edward F. Croker, New York’s Fire Chief.

Edward F. Croker, chief of New York’s tire fighters, whose recent condemnation of the methods of recruiting men for the department attracted wide attention, is a nephew of Richard Croker, former leader of Tammany hall. Chief Croker claims that recruits are selected for their mental rather than physical equipment, with the result that* the force is deteriorating. This the commissioners deny and retort that Croker subjects his men to unnecessary danger; that his system of fire fighting is antiquated. As to the last charge it qiay be stated in refutation that the board of fire underwriters are warm supporters of Chief Croker. They have stood by him on more than one occasion when he has been attacked. They believe that as a fire tighter he is unsurpassed. Furthermore, they say that Croker is the inventor of the water curtain, a device which consists in the creation of a miniature Niagara between the fire and threatened buildings by throwing tremendous quantities of water into the air to fall again between the blazing structure and its neighbors; of the fire helmet, which permits firemen to enter the worst smoke filled places with immunity, and of the searchlight, which has been so useful in many of the worst night fires. One more contention they raised—Chief Croker has never been accused of asking a man under him to go where he would not go himself, and they recall that in many instances it was the chief himself who led rescue parties into perfect volcanoes of fire. “

N. B. Broward, a Man of the People. Former Governor Napoleon B. Broward of Florida, who wrested the toga from Senator Taliaferro in the recent state primary election, has had a varied and interesting career. Indeed, in many respects his early life parallels that of Abraham Lincoln. Both were born in poverty, and both achieved high honors in spite of the great difficulties to be overcome. In defeating Senator Taliaferro for the honor of representing Florida in the United States senate Mr. Broward won a great personal victory. Born on a farm in Florida, the future senator had a hard row to hoe. He labored in logging camp, as a steam-

boat roustabout, as a cook on a tugboat and even tried his hand as a fisherman on the Newfoundland fishing banks. Finally be got to* be owner and captain and gained not a little notoriety by operating the boat Three Friends in aid of the Cuban revolutionists. T HIS first entry into politics was in 1887, when he became temporary sheriff of bis native county by appointment. He was elected and re-elected until 1900. when he went to the state legislature. Four years later he was elected governor and next March, if nothing unforeseen happens, will take bis seat in the United States senate.

NAPOLEON B. BBOWARD.