New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-11
THE POLICE BOARD TROUBLE.

MR. FRUARDTS REPLY TO TIE MAYOR.
ur nrct .rrs THAT ALL TILE FACTS TO sUBsrANrI-
ATE MS CHARGES HAVE BEEN GIvEN-IIE WILL
ONLY CONSENT TO ArPEAR As WITNESS.
Police Commissioner Erhardt has sent to
Mayor Cooper reply to the request for detailed state
ment Of his charges against the Police board lie H.
eees that he ha, given verbally all the facts III the case
IN the Mayor, c1cept those referring 10 the Inc
briefly OF the Commissioners, which be VIII
substantiate Mr. Erhardt declines to appear
in any other way than rs witness III INC
case In regard the letter Mayor Cooper sad yrS'e'
day that he had had interviews with MT Lrlald'' ar
stated in the letter, but he did not seem 10 thihh ne
otht TO proceed such data. He said ne would fcpy
IN Mr. Erhardt but IN tho meantime he did not
care TO say anything further IN regard to the
matter II is well understood. however that
an investigation viii be ordered before long
This feeling has led to many rumors. One which
obtained much currency yesterday was mat Noul
missioner Smith had resigned but this could not be
verified Another Tum0r was to the effect That mo
Municipal Reform Society had collected evidence
AGAINST The Board and would present charges To the
Mayor but this probably from the visits Of jack
son 6 Schultz and Thomas W. Adams OF the society," TO
the MAYORS Office.
The following il Commissioner Erhardt's letter;
The Ion. EDWARD COOPER. Mayor Chy Of Ner- York
SIR have received your letter OF fcnfutfy . III
which Won rcpeat your demand for detailed statement
of facts Your first letter upon this subject was con-
eldeTed treated by me NJ III tHttl request .'i :"
formal complaint against my associates. You sns
cest that your request IL for Information fti nc 10
form Won Of the doings Of the Police Department There
wcre three interviews between us upon lhl7
oace January !, second nt your oflice a few days
latter, and the thrd al this Office January H..
At the first Interview, which was very bflei, re-
ouestcd yOu To come ana LOOK into the ice Depart
ment, and telling YOU that the Department nee dtd H.
A. the second interview, which was also brl"f carried
to your office copy OF tHc vd mopPs'r ro,,red
az "a wicked and ubiquitous scheme and
OF the time explained my reasons FOR my onnlo
aud requested your influence 10 prevent tho contract
on the third occasion YOU paescd most ~ forenoon IL
the Police Department and qrr interview was gse ,A
prncpal acis winch yOs ASK me 10 state leaving
only matters OF detail aud evidence resting cmhS III
tAat for nearly an nour with all the earucstnrss and
force in my power. recounted to You these
statements were confirmed by another Conmi's ioncr
Of Police who present, and that was proceeding 10
paint 10 vou tho evidence OF the facts stated III dcHl
mon he records OF the Department wheny you requested
at 10 be deferred future occasion, owing to tck
any further waited more than week after these Oc-
cuirences before taking my action IN the Police Board
and these were the attempts to accomplish reforms
quietly 10 winch referred in my communication to
the Board After that action had prcn laneh Nv NE ana
and finding upon that occasion too busy to converse
with regarding the Police Department. aald TO you
that would come 10 you whenever You chose 10 sen"
for me- and lcft you with that understanding.
appeared TO me nat had faithfully performed my
duty aud lad placed Tie means IN the hands or the
Major of the CIV who alone can exercise the power 10
remedy what seemed 90 grave abuses, II the facts
winch stated Ia yOd not, III Noir judgment, eucH
tlat any duty posed upon You Uy law t. take any
action OF to cx.Innc the record evidence which hay"
offered TO exhibit ~ You, can zee no advantage III
detailing them gain upon paper. in the form Of charge
and specifications. con see 10 effect whatever o. such
n coucsc CXcrat To take mo outside the scope Ol NY
Cf1a powers into tie role Of q Iriyatr. personal
prosecutor before YOU, who are yourself officially
CHARGED hy law with that dutV, II yOG deem that Tue
case warrants IT, That position am not wllhn+ TO as
sumc have no private or peTspnal contest win any
..f .il 4
your witness cannot he officially, and viii not bc per
.onay prosecutor Tncrc is one matter 10; rciercd
to III y0ur lat me- but covered by hc terms o.
your first request Tor statement OF facts, concern
ing which ! thuk ! did not inform YOU, and TO winch
therefore, part OF the foregoing remarks would not
aupv refer 10 the EebIcty O one of the members ~
tie Board and It's damaging effect upon the force |
am ready To flrnish Won with the particulars Gnd the
names Of the Witnesses 10 these facts Ih. should OF
course not be done In communication likely to be
made pubic before You have determined to take any
ton thereon. JOEL Is. tlhARDI
Aetc- IOri- Feb. 8, 1s7l. Police Commissioner.