The New York herald., 1879-08-10
How the Members of the Steamboat
Squad Earn Their Salaries.
MAPPING AND IDLING.
All Special Duty Men Ordered on Patrol
by Superintendent WaIling

superintendent Walling has issued general oroer
calling in all special duty men except those detailed
by the Police Board and ordered them on patrol
duty. This seconded with pleasure by the
captains and will doubtless insure much better pro-
lection of property.
Commissioner MacLean's Office was crowded with
anxious inquirers yesterday when HERALD reporter
called interview him regarding the Police Depart
ment
"An right. Go ahead. What is it2' asked the
Commissioner in jerky tone of voice. as the re-
porter made himself known.
"why are not policemen who have served on the
force twenty years. upon their application,
placed the retired list the law says they shall
be? There are one or more in each precinct at the
present time
''Well, really sir. I-give me your next ques-
ton." was the Commissioners evasive reply.
"What is your opinion of the harbor police and the
steamboat squad? 1t has been said that the police
boat Seneca is useless and expensive affair and that
the steamboat squad men could be put to better
If they sent into the precincts from which they
taken"
1.-The police records show to that Give me
your next question"
"How about the Inspectors staff. Are there not
too many on it?"
"wel now. I'll tell you-what is the next ques-
tions'
"Is it not true that the department is run princi-
paly by politicians and that those same politicians
running the force with their pet positions?'
"Wef let that pass. Tpe next question, please
''The HERALD holds that there are too many sine
cures in the department-that there are altogether
too many details given out What is your
opinion~
81 agree with the HERALD in advocating less
number OF details and more patrol duty 1t is aston
lshEg to me that they (meaning the Police Board)
will allow much special duty when the force is
small"
THE STEAMBOAT SQUAD.
This closed the interview and the reporter de-
parted thankful at having received reply to at
least of his questions. The reporter aftcrward
patrolled the North and East River front for the
purpose OF better understanding what the steamboat
squad were compelled to do. There piers where
apoliceman can find something to divert his atten-
ton, but greater number where not enough tram
spires to think about SO the duties of those the
latter are Tar from laborious.
On pier No. 3S North River, occupied by the Guion
line, no minlon OF the law could ut first be found,
but vigant search showed that he had slowed
himself away in cosey corner and was enjoying
side
'Isayi" exclaimed the reporter. by way Of arous-
Ing the sleeper.
'Hey?" said the officer, coming suddenly to his
senses and reaching for the deadly club
The reporter recoied at tins movement, but as the
&. eyelids again closed he ventured nearer
II say, Mr.. Policeman, do the angels carry clubsy'
..No. We expect one in tomorrow" was tho ro-
ply, evidently referring to q steamship.
osnsma% VINO w,st At an i, p'e, sayor 81 se
ature, said that to the best of his knowledge the
precinct CAPTAINS used to take better care OF their
pier than the steamboat squad do. Said he:--"In
the night time when river thieves are most apt to
work, they not around, and property IS left
to the protection OF watchman. During the night,
but a short time ago. we had u case OF goods vain
at S4O0, stolen from the pier. The other day dis
covered party whom know and the police know
10 be n river thief unloading some pig iron the
next dock. They generally go there with all their
stolen iron. called the officers attention to 1t, but
he refused even ask the party question, saying
that 1t belonged to the Harbor Police"
At pier 49, where there did appear to be enough
for half an officer to do the person in charge thought
that the steamboat squad was extraordinary
ganizaton and lac saii he should hate terribly to
br- ken up.
.'why do you corporations want to monopolize
shese policemen when your houses are unpro-
''we do heavy business and pay great taxes. We
ire entitled to protection. said the gentleman in
:harge.
Isn't the watchman you employ enough protec-
ion?"
1--WE don't have to employ many watchmen.
Besides an officer in uniform Is better"
1t also urged that the officer very valuable
In enforcing the rule, mo smoking allowed on the
pier.
Although the thermometer was huggng the nine
ties the personification of brass buttons and blue
cloth was engaged in lively debate pier Al. He
would endeavor occasionally to pound his argument
into his opponent with trim little club that
ried, which he has III case Of emergency but which
case 1t is said rarely occurs.
The steamboat squad man pier "a did not carry
not require it. Occasionally looking wistiully at u
crate peaches and often nodding at teamsler,
he manages to while the hours away and draw his
salary OF 500 a month.
Between piers and 3 a crowd of men and boys
were bathing and indecenty exposing themselves TO
The view OF persons going to and from the excursion
Iteaners tna land aS botn those piers An othcer OF
the steamboat squad stationed on pier was watoi-
ing them with apparent delight and made no effort
whatever to put q stop to the nuisance.
Does this officer make arrest once in six
months ?? the reporter asked of party the pier.
"weil. yes; think he does" was the conscien-
tious reply.
SIDE.
On many of the piers along the North River front
no officers were found, while Others i'm
portance they were permanently stationed. The
porter then crossed TO the East River sde there
found matters equally us bad. From pier No. 1 to
pier No. IL no oincers could be found and there
certainly need OF them there II anywhere.
On pier No. ID. in the shade OF large sailing
vessel sa staiwart officer. No steamers land there,
and from the opinion OF parties in the immediate
vicinity there As nothing IN the world for officer
to do there The officer finally grew tired of being
seated, ami wandered about until he met a company
OF Brazilian sailors, whom he succeeded in nducng
to tell him story, previously obtaining from them
chew of tobacco.
1t noticeable all along tho river front that the
officers were generally posted on the piers protected
from the elements by coverings A shed covers pier
No. IL, and hero two protectors iound--a
roundsnan and oficer-and they seemed be
enjoying themselves as hugely us they would ut
Coney Island. Like two innocent cnIldrcn they
chatted TO each other nothing occurring to their
tranquility and they earned their 500 month with
marked ease.
Pier No. 20, next to the Fulton Fish Market. was
picture Of quietude presided over by club and
shield The officer occupied in listening to the
ringing OF a ships bell aud the wash OF the waves
against his almost island post. From good author
ity the reporter learned that during The morning
hours the guardian OF the dock amused himself by
counting tue scales and fish heads and in the even.
ing hours. after the mischievous feline has removed
the entertaining hsh heads, ia critcising the attire
OF the throngs that flock to the ferry.
At the Harlem boat per u corpulent officer with
very red face making great deal OF noise aud
DOING considerable gestculatDg at truckrlan who
didn't exactly understand the signals oil the police
man.
Tho reporter strolled eisurely pier 80 and
found the steamboat squad man wondering "what
the wild waves were saying" Nothing perplexed
him. and he was having 1t all to himself. The
porter intruded in the follo wing manncr:-
''ls there any fishing about herog'
"Couldn't say. Whyy
ooh, didn't know but that you might have a |
couple of lines out. Might well kill two birds