New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-06-05
CENTRAL PARK AGAIN.

HOW AND WHERE THE GANG " fAuS-WHY TrIE
"BEAT" SYSTEM SHOULD DE REVIVED. On
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Inasmuch "a Mr.. Olmsted has chosen
to admit over his signature, his full responsibility
for the present Management Of the Central Park police
feel privileged TO unspangiy the obnoxious fea
lures of the Olmsted Changing system Of PARK keep
ing and as my former letters have accomplished their
precise object OF bringing this important issue squarey
before the public aud the Park Commissioners will
now lay rhetoric aside and proceed to my argument with
the utmost dreotness
I Nr oimsed thinks that no increased tendency to
disorder under the new system has been indicated By
the complaints Of citizens, the returns OF the Keepers
the personal observation OF the Commissioners and their
experimenting officers, vet by tho diligence OF the
reporters OF the public press" As to complaints, 1t is
notorious that NEWCOMERS will endure almost every
thing before making formal complaint, and that there
has been practically no Park Commission in exist
enee for the last month As the keepers returns,
it is precisely the fault OF the Changing
system that ofenses easily occur under II without
the keepers knowledge and that they constantly
tempted % overlook offenders and devote themselves TO
making their rounds on time" As TO the diligence Of
the reporters nothing concerning Park crime Is gyon
out for publication long IL is possible 20 conceal it
and as to personal observation sMr Olmsted may not,
in three days, have one single ofense against
modestv nor the smallest violation OF law but l. IN
two short walks across the ark recent afternoons
no policeman being in either case anywhere visible saw
a woman quietly helping herself 70 the acs; noticed
dozens OF people in single place. cooiy Ignoring the
notice. Please keep off the grass :" passed couple
near an open, freqnented walk caressng each other
under an umbrella in ft only for strict privacy,
and found an idle ruan stretched on the TURF where he
had no business attitude Of direct insult TO the
ladies sitting near by the shade with their children
reported the the nearest gate-keeper, who
left his post long enough 10 rout the rascal.
ed hold should
speciay instructed and disciplined, active, jealous
cheerful aud courteous" he promotes special in
struction by discharging more than third OK the
regular trained force, and filing the gap with some
scores Of uniformed sweepcrs without tact without
experience without authority capacity to preserve
order and with only the most insufficient faculty
for unording information and assistance to the
peaceful public. He promotes discipline" by pract
cay ignoring the captain aud ruling tire force through
the lieutenant who happens 10 be his personal favor
ite He promotes activity" by compelling the men 70
travel on foot miles in eight hours rain or shine nc
promotes zeal" BY wearing out their strength IN need
less forced marches and wasting their time In fruitess
inspections OF the gatekecpers He promotes cheer
fuDessr bv driving men around the Park under bro
ing sun who could do the most faithful and efficient
duty on beat but who now are almost ready 10 drop
with fatigue at the end Of days tramp, aud VINO have
repeatedly on reaching home found their stocking heels
saturated win blood And he promotes courtesy" ~
leaving the ble leisure 70 ANSWER Dlfil Hiu'
ton that already formal complaint has been laid before
the Commissioners that the park keepers no longer have
time 10 talk to visitors.
g. Mr. Olmstead cites his services in organizing the
Park police forgets 70 say that be tried this very
glng years ago and that broke down IN seven
DAYS. And. nnay, Mr.. Olmsted caps the climax oy
calmly adducing the gradual Generalization OF the
force under Tammsny axness and favortism as valid
excuse for increasing that decentralization tentod by
adopting crude fancl and despOuo system in direct
defiance all sound principles Of police administration
Having briefly handled the points Mr. O!msted
grounds his case upon, let now notice some OF those
sound principles Of police administration ana see
how clearly they show the laundering inehieeney OF
the Olmsted chain-gang' system.
l. Every patrOlman should have definite beat and
be held strictly responsible for the preservation al good
order upon it, Uader the gang system, over half the men
are set 10 travelling sevenme routes partly
separate and partly ooincident, and responsibility Is so
divided and rittered away to be practically lost
2 Every oense committed within police limits should
be directly referabe to individual officer bound TO
prevent it. least 10 take the offender IN charge
without delay and the plea ct did not see IT, should
convict the officer gross neglect OF duty Under the
gang system might be struck dead IN open DAY NJ
point passed by every keeper in his round AMI nobody
could prove that any officer ought 10 have been
on the spot at the time while the plea, 81 did not see IT.
might easily be- q perfectly valid excuse. In other
words police responsibility should be readily and eX-
actly by limits OF space C.. beats but under the
gang system IL only DE approximately settled Dy the
difficult ofteu mpossibel task Of proving the precise
moment when an offsuse occurred, and then showing
that the keeper keepers passing between the nearest
gates ought 70 nave within reach that moment
g. PARK patromen should always, and especially when
the force is light be assigned the interior districts OF
the Park leaving each gate-keeper 20 look after his
own vicinity. Under the gang system each "rouEdsman"
is required visit and inspect every alternate gate
keeper the route, and 20 enter his own initials and
the time OF passing the register kept at the gate
house.
4 One mans faithful service should throw any
unjust burden on comrades but under the gang sys
tenn II any man delayed By attention TO the public the
printed regulations require the sergeant to hasten
movements" and shorten rests 70 make up tho dell
cheney.
g. Every policeman should have some suitable weapon
wberewith to enforce authority in time Of need But
under the Omsed gang system the keepers have abso-
uely 10 means OF defense except their fists SO much
"a uipe-stem II not allowed. evening duty,
though Mr. Omsted himself admits that actual murder
has been committed in the Park after nightfan
G. rational system pays some regard 70 the conYe-
nience of the men, knowing that police DISCONTINUED
is in exactly that police demoralized But
the Olnsted chaingang system despises the comfort
and sefrespect of entire farce, sacrifices everything
TO deeeitful and worthless appearance OF activity aud
breeds decentralization at ruinousy rapid rate.
Mr. Olmsted attempted explanation or defense OF
his peculiar methods. He did well, for not single
argument OF substantial weight be offered in their
favor The inevitable inehioiency OF the system Is
directly deducble its nane, and proved by daily
experience lis inhtamGhy cas ssJeonfesfed toaeh'
under The spur Of y trSt letter, he men 0ere pat Jo'
ro dams on co trips instead or three, lest some qnre
r,porr sold spy TOO closely The burdens lad upon
them am glad TO know that the most energetic and
practical member Of the Park Commission, after
careful personal inquiry brands the system an out
60 Tho other uetnbers present aud prospective,