New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-15
REVISING THE ESTIlfATES.

THE CHICAGO POLICE SYSTEM APPRovED-rT WILL
DOUBLE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE POLICE.
The Board of Estimate and ApportiOnment yes
tcrday. by request of the Commissioner Of Public
Works. transferred So 800 from an unexpended bal
ance for drinking fountains for the purpose of re-
new1ng and repairing water-pipes. The additional
sum of 81 .O3I was transferred from the salaries
account of the Law Department to that OF contln-
President Porter of the Charities and Correction
Department said that the increased amount asked
for the maintenance of the department was Que III
mart TO the increased number of persons IN the yar
Gus penal and charitable institutions under the care
of the Commissioners He asked Tor Increased pay
for the physicians employed, and SAID that re.
ceiyin0 hospital below Canal-st. was desirable. III
was contemplated replacing the wooden renee
around Bellevue Hospital with an iron railing ana
lighting the isl ands by electricity instead Oh gas
That portion of the TOmbs Prison now used for
court purposes must be given mp for prison pur-
poses or an additional sorywlll have to be bult on
William H. Beers of the Council of Reform,
wished to know how the Commissioners could tell
in advance that there would be so large an increase
of population Mr.. Porter said that the TACT was
that The population in the institutions greater
than ever before and steadily increasing. In re,
Spouse to another question by Mr Beers, ne san
that the department compelled to pay S94,OOO
more for supplies than last year. because the court
compelled the Commissioners to award the contract
to the lowest bidder, and all the bids were much
higher than the previous year.
Police Commissioners French, Nichols and Mat
thews explained the various items asked for the
coming year. They wished to increase the force by
100 men making the whole number $500. by
practising economy they had added sixty men aea
during the past year Mayor Edison asked If the
Commissioners had examined the system III use III
Chicago. Mr. Nichols said he had been designated
to visit Chicago and study the system. He had not
vet gone there but would do so before the close OF
that the system should be introduced here without
delay In Chicago boxes are placed in the streets;
Rcputabe citizens besides policemen, are supplied
with KEYS much the same fire-keys are given out
i'm New-York When police aid is needed the box Is
opened a button is pressed. and an alarm goes to
tons by means of which intelligence OF fires, riots
burQlaTies arrests etc. be conveyed 10 the STA
tionS There are wagons, each ca culated to carry
twelve men. In case their services are needed,
they can be taken promptly to the spot Chder ms
system policeman never leaves his beat. When
an arrest is made the wagon Is called ana the prlS-
oner taken in il to the station. The adoption OF the
system will cost about 100000. 1t will well repay
the outlay for il will practically increase the ponce
force to , 600 men. He hoped the system would be
proyldcd for in the estimates under consldcra-
ton. MayOr Edison aud Controller Grant favored
the adoption of the system, . -,
In response TO a question from President Reilly
Mr. Nichols said he trusted that the board would
refund S7s 23G paid from the Police Pension I una
under the orders of the courts
A communication was received from George w.
Morton formerly Excise Commissioner asking that
%ll4s IS be refunded him, he having spent that
amount in upholding his right to once ana beng
sustained by the courts An opinion OF the Corpora
tiun Counsel was read, declaring the right OF the
board to make such appropriation. The amount OF
the item was inserted IN the estimates.
On Monday the board will discuss the estimates
of the Fire and Health departments The board
hear all citizens taxpayers and Others interested III
the estimates.