The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-03
p o II Q E..
Digging Among the Debris Left
by the Old Board.
DISTURBING THE DOCTORS.

DISTURBING THE DOCTORS.
our new Police Commissioners are busy at work
studying the peculiarities OF the Police Depart
ment. They have been boring through the mass
OF evidence OF corruption left by some OF the ex-
Commissioners.
Yesterday Commissioner Charlick discovered that
the station house in course OF erection for the
Twenty third precinct is placed away out OF Its
proper location. Instead Of being near Third ave-
nue., where the business OF the officers would re-
quire Its presence, the house is being built down
near the river, on Ninety-third street.
So remarkable an instance OF the unfltness OF
things In the old Board directed the attention OF
Commissioner Charlick to the other station houses
recently built. The Fourteenth precinct house,
with the House OF Detention attached,
presented upon examination, a remarkable
example OF how mucn of large and
imposing structure could be put M for small
amount OF money. The sparsity of material and
the delicate quantity OF that used In the construc
ton Of some Of these two edifces are said TO be
wonderful. Repairs are needed in both houses
now, although they have only been in use few
months. The same is the case with the Twelfth
precinct station house, and the whole subject Ia to
be made matter for searching inquiry during the
week.
To a representative OF the HERALD who called
upon him yesterday Commissioner Charlick showed
a card about ten inches long by eight wide, which
Is printed for use throughout the Police Head
quarters This card contained the names OF all the
detectives and their duties for the month. or
course as the different officers are changed from
night to day work, the cards require changing
every month. In the course OF conversation yester
day, Commissioner Charlick dropped into musing
and burst out two or three times with:
..It's worse than burglar. He would Jump In,
take what he could get, and be or"
mo man in his senses would 20 away and leave
such record as this behind him."
Handing the card to the reporter.
"YOu must know something about printing.
What do you think these are worth thousand 20
about five or six dollars hundred, should
sWell, sir, this Department has been paying 800
piece Tor them. It's monstrous. But it's coming
q Drought into tSs n"ang IN
one month"; | have not come here for nothing, III
show them that. Strauss turning to his clerk.
are oil the men see around here on that list got
the other dayf"
Il think they are, sir, said Mr. Strauss.
IL doubt 1t. Some OF them must look for some
thing else TO do. won't have any men about here
that won't sweat. They had better look out / am
going down town to make report about the con-
dition OF affairs here tomorrow. intend to re-
duce the expenses OF this building $500 a year.
Captain Irving has had Sc yeral long conferences
important changes are looked for in that depart
ment at an early day. President Henry Smith
was visited yesterday by the Commissioners Of
The gentlemen complimented Mr.. Smith on the
state Of the streets Of New York. and said they
were much cleaner than those OF either Of their
cities.
The most important question before the Board at
the present moment is that OF the surgeons. TWEEN
ty.tWO phy1clanS nave been provided l0r under
the charter, but Commissioner Charlick is op-
posed to the system and wants to try
for all the. purposes Of the Department
to select three eminent physicians to act
as board OF examination upon all applicants Tor
II n in roc nf vvnrk Of fhn p,lie
II came 70 hand. As COMMISSIONER Charlick sees
sas Rpsr wax I sS9 sa hsH, Ave p aS.m
the case, and call upon them in rotation. None
should be attached to the Department and get reg
board OF examination. BY this MEANS Commits
sioner Charlick thinks, no one would be paid for
would be sdded M IN
view OF the number OF applicants for the
place Of physician there could not certainly be a
better way OF satisfying large number; but some
OF the other Commissioners and experienced ply
sicians say the scheme is highly impracticable.
theory, and 1t is probable, II his ideas are acted
upon-whlch It Is likely they will be-he will point
out way Of directing them that will not only
make them useful, but economical.
Commissioner Hugh Gardner was next called
upon by the reporter. He said
II do not approve OF the general system. We
want capable and honest gentlemen attached to
this Department, and we can only get them by
careful selection and remuneration Tor their ser.
vices. We cannot do justice to the policemen and
the requirements OF the people II we adopt this
system, and for one will not sanction it. You
and this would open the door full swing to fraud
The doctors would not be responsible to this Board
but would be open to any kind Of propositions
from the men. policeman need only engage one
OF the police surgeons, say for his family doctor
most Of them would be likely to do that-and then
on picnic; the doctor would naturally be inclined
Then you think Mr.. Commissioner, that the old
ut Is not bad one. We can get good men. We
have 1000 applicants to choose rom and 1t will be
strange we cannot AM select &c thoroughly eap
Examining Surgeons Is being constantly changed,
and there is no possible chance OF colluson among
II we had standing board OF examination, though
we could get COED men. am satisfied we could
select sell gentlemen who would be above approach;
Us. For my own part. ! have no ends to serve or
people to please while am here, and shall do all
that lies in my power for the benefit OF the Depart
ment.u
"Have you made any suggestions, Mr.. Commits
sioner or have I'VE you any plan you think would be
II have not yet made any propositions, because
the matter has not come under regular discussion;
but think 1t would be much better to appoint
three or five good physicians as a board and give
them the authority to select number OF young
men TO do the routine work Of the department
under their supervision. These young men should
be compelled to make their ofices at the station
houses We could have one for each, and then we
coulu DC sdtsncu we Coulu give Inc people Wnat
they require OF us. and at short notice. All the
implements OF surgery and proper medi-
cines should be at hand, and have
no doubt we can find plenty competent
Industrious young doctors to take these places.
BY this means we could look after the on GERS and
also attend to the people. Mind you, am not
welded to my own idea on the subject. am will
ing and ready to accept the best method, and
only hope we shall arrive at adopting good one"
President Smith said he thought the best way
to find out the efficacy OF new systems was to try
them. He was willing to give this one q chance,
and hoped 1t would work well. He said he thought
II would be good for the doctors, and he will
ing to support anything that did the most good.
superintendent Matsell had not yet considered
the subject.