New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-16
CAPTAIN WILKINS TRANSFERRED.


PLACED IN CHARGE OF STREET CLEANING.
CAPTAIN BFRGHOLD SENT TO THE TwENIY-NIATH
PREciNcT-wHST THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS
SAY.
The Board Of Police. in executive session yesteT-
day, transferred Captain Williams from the Twcn-
ty-nnth Precinct 10 the Streei-CleaniDg Bueau,
pursuant toan agreement arrived AT between the four
Commissioners. The meeting was brief and formal,
and the vote on the transfer unanimous. Captain
Berghold Of the Ninth Precinct. selected to fill
Captain Wil!iams's place. Pnd Captain Hedden. at
present Of the street Cleaning Bureau. ordered
TO take charge of the Ninth Precinct. Captain
Petty. OF the 1hirty-hrst. and Captain McIlwan.
81 the Seventh. were made 70 change places
The announcement that Captain Williams had nj
last been transferred caused astonishmcnt at Police
Headquarters. and great curiosity was shown TO
learn by what agency the transfer had been eff
feclcd. To TRIBUNE reporter who called upon
Commissioners French and " heller, MI. FreDch
said:
IL regard his appointment as a promotion. /
don't think there is Captain the foyee calcu-
lated 10 take charge Of lha; Department well as
Williams. In his present position he VIII have i'm
medat charge Of the whoe force Of sireet-cleauers.
lie VIII direct their work. and will be in great
measure responsible for the condition of the
streets. think there IL no man like him. and none
better ftied for that especial work. Before
moved ia the matter consented 10 have tho trans
fer made spoke with Captain Williams, and he
expressed his readiness 10 change. lie had only
donbt that be would DC as well As We expected in
| ms new place Int think he WILL
| Commis Toner Wheeler spoke of the chGrges OF
| misconduct that had been brought against Captain
Wiiiiams has been acquitted While they were yet
\ undisposed OF opposed any change, because IL
might seem 10 reflect on the man on trial Nov that
| he has fully cleared bis character. offered him
| the charge of the Street-Cieaning Department be-
cause there is required an energetic aud efficient
4 man. aud we can find none better. He went with
| out objection il he had not should not have
| sent him there. He was willing to 90. i think be
| will be an excellent man III the place. lon will
soon be able 10 judge, for lac VIII take charge to-
| morrow But, please let me be distinctly under
stood no charges clauor or real or supposed deere
hction of duty has caused the uansier exactly the
| Captain Williams received the news of the change
al his station without any show OF surprise. " am
no. anxious to leave my precinct" bc said. - but
| 90 wher, am sent" When asked how he liked IL.
| he answered:
| well that will depend "A good deal on how they
put me there. IL they give me power to do the work
| In my way-to transfer. remove and detail the men
| l viii make success of it. II not 3 shrug Of
continued the Captain after a brief pause. has got
| 90 I've done 10y practice and not by theory. There
| must be some punishment for man who does not
clean what he set to clean. You cannot sit IN
office and work II ont II has to be done in the street.
| am willing to work hard to give satisfaction. L
\ have handled men and Know. of course how much
| work should be got out OF man TOR dollar and n
| half dav | think in that respect there
! Is some Improvement to the work. l see old men
! who sweep receiving days wages for an hours
work. That should not be. Again, there is a great
| cry raised over a thing that don't exist. mean
The barbcar il is advertised to be- From hotels and
the houses of well-to-do people the garbage is all
| taken away privately and put to use. In tenement
houses there rs none or very little because the in
! mates cannot afford any waste. As said. II Is q
practical Job ara one that can be managed,
ppp1 Zeal nj me-. ell
| give me chance. and not tie my hands II am
only put there 10 draw my salary. without power
| over the men, shall be- Bsure-head onlv and the
| streets will still be dirty. Let me put my men
| where sweeping is needed and take them from the
| streets that clean, and shall make their work
tell. IL il the best time 10 STAT Ia Inst now, Tor
| every improvement Will tell
| Commissioner YoOrhis. when asked the reason for
the transfer of CAPTAIN Villa ms said There has
been a general dissatisfaction and lack of confidence
| among some members Of the community IN regard
! 70 Captain WIliamss management, and this Is the
chief reason for his rrInUv3l. Nothing has trans
J pired lately TO cause the change. l regard the
transfer as beneficial TO the Department and 10 the
residents Of this city. / believe the energy that
Captain Williams possesses will especially enable
/ him to fill acceptably the position OF Chief OF the
Street Cleaning Bureau. do not know OF an officer
better fitted for the work. We now give INN an
| opportunity 10 push and am willing TO help him
\ alt has been stated" said the reporter. q" that
Captain Williams expects especial power 20 be
given 10 him. 50 that ne can make removals and APP
?Ointmcnts - he desires in his new position IS this
| 10 be dOneT
| This is not So" answered the Commissioner
| Not with my approval can he have snch power
THE fuTtncst his power extend will be To sus-
| pend aud repOr.. The right 10 remove and appoint
now rests with fol but really BELONGS TO Chairman
| Maclcan. Tue Board will never give unanimous
vote 10 allow any captain Ia The power OF It.
! moval over nearly 900 Men"
| Captain Berghold was placed in command of the
| Twenty ninth Precinct because he IS one OF the
! newly made captains, and Is believed by all the
| Commissioners 10 DC thoroughly conscientious
| officer. Besides, he has never done dDfy ia that
pIeciacI and Is thus supposed 10 bc free fToh all al
| iancCs. Captain Petty was transferred 10 the
| Seventh because nc Is an active aud energetic oit-
Ger and there a larger field Tor HIM there than
| where he was"
Captain Williams was appointed captain of the
| Twenty -innth Precinct October g. 1876. HIS
I successor Captain l'rghod, was made captain OF
| the Nlath Precinct less fDan Scar ago AT the time
hc was sergeant ia Tire Seventeenth. lie Is native
| American. X pub lean III politics. and Is regarded
! az q vrrS ctbcicnt officer.
| Commissioner MacLean. when asked last evening
by "a IEIBU reporter why The transfer OF Captain
Mi4l.ains had been made smiled, and said nc sup
| posed it because the Commissioners mani
nousiy voted for il aud, wlcD pressed for soine-
| thI.g more definite would SAY no more than that
the ir.Dsler ad Ieen orerca because, an the opln-
| ion OF the Commissioners, the good of the public
! service seemed 20 demand such action.
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| CUTTING."-Customer with impercepuble
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| Owed" AIiisi-. le-sir-cerlainly. sir-Drousht 'en