Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-12-16
THEY MEET AND TALK.
MAYOR HARRINGTON AND THE
POLICE COMMITTEE.

1
System, but De says ne Has Not the
Authority-The Lie Given by MIR. BauGh.
The mayor and the Police Committee
OF City Council met last evening In the
mayors Office in the City Hall to confer
regarding the operation of the Gaynor
police system. The councilmen present
were Messrs. White, McKenney, Baugh.
Vandegrift and Curren.
When the members had been formally
received by the mayor, and informed by
him that he was present at great personal
Inconvenience. Chairman John White
opened his batteries. he told the mayor
that economy must be practiced In the
administration of the police depart
ment. That the appropriation now in
the hands of the Police Committee was
between $1,000 and &1.700 less than
y was at the same time during the last
fiscal year, and is liable to run out in
February. Under these circumstances 1t
was the desire or the Police Committee
to decrease rather than increase the run
ming expenses Of the police department,
and II was opposed to adding two officers
to the force 10 operate the electric signal
system.
Mr.. Baugh said that it was understood
from the time the subject of the electric
system was first bronched In City Council
that it was TO decrease rather than In,
crease the cost OF the department In
fact that was one of its principal recon
mendations.
Mr. White told the mayor that when
the system was FIRST talked Of the asser-
tion was made that one booth would
easily do the work Of three men, and in
stead of increasing the force under such
a recommendation he thought IL should
decrease it by several
The Public Favors the Council Plan,
Mr.. McKenney said the public knew
the signal system was ready for use, and
expected 1t to be put in operation. The
people would sustain the Police Com
mittee In demanding that no extra men
be allowed to operate ii.
Mr.. Curren said that his constituents
were opposed to any increase.
After the members OF the Police Com
mittee had made their statements the
mayor said that he had been unfairly
treated by the newspapers Of this city.
but he did not think they had any GRIM
inal motive in their criticisms De dis
claimed all official connection with the
system until he had been officially noti.
fled by Council that 1t was turned over
to him for operation. He anologized for
not accompanying the members Of CITY
Council when they inspected the system
and said the reason he did not do SO was
because of misunderstanding in the ar
engagements He said he had no authority
to take charge of the system until it had
been officially turned over to him by CITY
Council.
he said that he had been assured by
the City Council that he would be allowed
two men to operate tie system. Acting
under this assurance he had appointed
Samuel Chambers and John Rittenhouse.
He said that Mr.. Baugh had endorsed the
appointment Of Mr.. Chambers and said 1t
was good one.
Mr.. Baugh admitted that he had said
the appointment of Chambers was good
one, but disclaimed having been ia the
Mayor private office.
Mayor Harrington claimed that he had
had consultation with Mr. Baugh at his
office on Eighth street. In addition he
said that he had received the assurance
Of the Police Committee that while Coun.
Gil would not allow him four special officers
to operate the system, IL would allow him
two men, and that Chambers would be
paid from the time of his appointment. no
matter whether or not the ordinance was
passed.
Mr.. mckenney said the committee had
suggested that the operators should be
known as clefku.
The mayor said that no matter what
the men be called they must be under
his control, subject to the orders of the
chief Of police, and also must be uni
formed.
He said the day special and night
special had sufficient work already. In
asking for additional officers he had
taken the advice OF Mr.. O'Brien, GAY
nor's agent and Mr., AYdon, the city
superintendent, He also claimed that
the statement had been made in the
newspapers and on the floor of the Coun-
Gil chamber, that men could be had for
$4O per month This the Police Com
mittee denied. They said no such state
ment had ever been made in Council.
The mayor said he did not believe he
could operate the system with his present
force. He said he did not think the
system would dispense with the work Of
the four sergeants.
He estimated that 200 signals would be
~N~''S1 V'tAJ eNoANp huutE, hhu Shlu Lne
day and night specials could not answer
them and attend to the duties they
already had to perform
The Lie Given.
Mr. Baugh, still smarting under Mayor
harrington's statement that he had CON
ferred Nth him In the mayors private
office on Eighth street. arose and said:
~ never was in your private office, and
do not know where it ID. /"
THE mayor said III distinctly re-
member you being there
ut is 10, responded Mr. Baurh.
The mayor took this assault upon his
veracity very coolly and did not resent ii
Mr.. Bsugh, who was thoroughly
aroused by what he considered al At /
tempt on the part Of the mayor to com
promise him, followed up his attack. ana
asked the mayor what he intended to do
IN the way Of operating the system.
The mayor SAID as soon as he received
oiicial notice from Council he would give
tue matter his careful attention. and re
port to Council. Further than this he
had nothing to say.
The conference adjourned without
having accomplished anything and laav-
ing the system in the same state of sin
ocaousdesuetude" that it was before II
- understood that Mr., White. chairman
Of The Police Cammittee, will ask Council
% order the Mayor to put the system
into immediate use.
Clocks and Bronzes.
A complete assortment. Latest na,to-,s :.
invest prices. DaVis,e Z tst Second street.