The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-04
POLICE DECENTRALIZATION.
Remarkable Movement Among the
Rank and File.
RAISING A LEGISLATIVE FUND.-"
The Commissioners Threaten the
Men with Dismissal.

Two weeks ago Police Commissioner r.. nardt 70
ceivcd information that project amona
members Of the raise The sum OF $1 900 TO be-
used in defeating the bill now before the Legislature
making certain changes In the law relative to the
department On investigating the matter he learned
that meeting for that purpose had been held
liquor saloon, AT No l36 sixth avenue, in which some
twenty policemen participated shortly afterward no
In possession OF documents that threw cons,dera
bic light the movement, but desiring 10 await fur
Their developments postponed action. Each day brought
rumors to the strength OF the movement and
the growing dissatisfaction among policemen TO the
bill
The provisions regarded by them especially OBJ
noxious are said in relation the graduation Of
patroimcn's salaries and giving the Board power 10
dismiss by concurrent any member Of tho force
without trial hearing. The former provision It will
DO remembered makes two classes OF patrolmcn. To
officers and 10 such others the Board may
designate 5000 year is to be paid. Officers who have
distinguished themselves by torous services and
those who display ordinary ability the per-
formanoe OF their duties the present OF compensa
ton, 81, 200 per annum VIII be allowed This provi-
sion affects only patrolmen. Higher officers, such
scrgeants captains and inspectors will receive, by
other provision, considerable Increase of salary
The second obnoxious provision relating to the re.
moval Of any members OF the force by tho Board
without trial. receives tho opposition OF ALL from tho
captains to the patrolmcn. Tho inspectors do not
Early last week Commissioner Erhardt came in pos
session Of two circular letters relating TO the
mcnt, copy OF which had been to the treasurer
OF the Police Mutual Aid Society In zach precinct
CIRCULARS
The letters, which bear no signature, read fol-
lows-
To the TnrAsgnrn THE MURAL AID socisTr.:-
DEAn sIR-lfnot paroman YOU are requested 70 send
fully lSAs ''''''''' ''''A - 5R3riiEsse'
The second the date OF March 90 and lis as fol-
lows
meeting 70 be held :, No. 4,e sixth sunday.
oissI and not Of committee The meeting should b
above For any iurther information call John
r. S-Do not fail to be represented Tear this and
present the envelope At The door.
Commissioner Erhardt next learned that the meeting
had been held and the project set in notion the assess
ment beng liked at 50 per man, the calculation being
for ST. o00 which $40 900 be used prevent
the passage OF the bill and tho remainder 10 DO
pended in collecting the money and for incidental
penses. twenty-five hundred patrolmen and oficers
reckoned upon contributors to the fund.
the meeting enthusiastic, SO far speeches were
concerned but rather meagre its attendance there
however 1t IS understood, have been held, and
set down for next Thursday.
ACTION THE BOARD
Yesterday afternoon President Smith called specil
meeting Of tho Board TO take action or the matter
The session was with closed doors The subject was
discussed all Its details each Commissioner believ-
ing that unless the movement was Immediately stopped
the discipline of tho force would be impaired. The
rule in the MANUAL iorbiddng members Of the depart
ment contributing money Tor political purposes was
looked upon rs covering the case The following gen
cra order was then adopted for immediate promuga
ton TO the force:-
GEoncE WALKING. superintendent .
gu wiz cause ~ o. me police 'oase 70 % no
have made purpose dsis.sing
se as ct ms IN SS 20 PaS' o
specified viii sasjsc. ali who attend them 70 s. and
@ ans s from and ~ho
Az & ct tine p"ss force re wo o. ~ ?, .u Savs
ever dcie. legislative action VIII be dismissed ths force
wy '''p''' Chairman Committee Rules and Discipline
After tho adjournment OF the session Commissioners
Erhardt caused to BIO tcegraphed to the various
had attended any OF the meetings 10 come 10 his Office
forthwith. Within an hour the lobby was hed with
patrolmen roundsmen and eergcants 10 the number OF
about thIrty-ve. They examined separately and
their answers taken down by scnogrspher for future
action.
Some OF the number boldly admitted their con.
nection with the matter, but justified them
selves the ground that the money
10 be legitlmateiy employed in representing
tho Legislature tho pcrnicous effects OF the bill
Others denied all knowledge Of the movement while
still others admitted thor connection, but begged
forgiveness. They all told that strict com
pance with the general order just issued would DO cx
pected.
The writer, hearing ths murmurings OF many OF
tho officers at what they termed The injustice Of the
Boards action paid visit 10 several precincts and
convcrsed with tho men on post. As rule they
felt very indignant about the matter although they
feared TO express themselves "Mark my words"
said one "ths thing won't end hore II will get be
fore tho courts"
Commissioner Erhardt when spoken 70 on the subject
id:"It Is apparent to any man that this 700
10 be gotten up Tor corrupt purpose. II IL too
largo a to be consumed In counsel feos. claim
that the power OF the Board 10 interfere unqucstion
able. 1t movement that should be crushed At once"
II Is rumorcd that moro than one prominent lawyer
Is the back OF tho project and determined 10 push IL,
Notwithstanding this action the Board The amount
money subscribed not known, but II Is be-
leved that the sum is large one Who tho treasurer
Is appears have kept secret although Commis-
sioner Erhardt intimatcs that he knows the person.