New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-29
POLICE WORK ON THE RIVER-FRONT.
REFORMS STARTED AND CARRIED OUT By
NEW CAPTAIN.


REFORMS STARTED AND CARRIED OUT By
NEW CAPTAIN.
Tho agents Of the various steamboat companies along
the North River Just now enthusiastic In thelI
praise of the excellent work of reform accomplished
by Captain Max schmlttberger since lie has been III
command Of the steamboat squad. As soon as the nc"
captain took charge Of the sleepy old precinct IL was
evident that order OF things would be the RUE
He began by cleaning away the gangs OF oaiers anu
thieves who accustomed 10 haunt the piers during
the hours OF loading and unloading Then he apphed
for and obtained muchneeded increase Of the working
force which formerly numbered fifty three. but now
amounts to seventy-1ve men. He has also contrveo
by application TO the Police Commissioners to secure
the transference 10 his command OF several young ano
vigorous officers in place OF many old poncemen VIII
were no longer fit for active duty. Then his clever
capture OF the gang Of thieves who so long successfully
robbed the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, ana the
work accomplished by his chief detective, Vail, In the
Rhett case, to say nothing Of the quick capture OF
gangs OF highway robbers who infested the locality,
have caused a widespread sensation throughout the
precinct.
al could have done little nothing" said Captain
schmlttberger yesterday, without the cordial CO.
operaton OF the Police Commissioners and Acting
Superintendent Byrnes. These reforms are, In fact,
theirs and not mine. All that have done has been
TO carry out their wishes. One Of the best OF the
which did scarcely anything that could not be done
by the precincts. That squad Is now distributed over
different posts during the day, while the nghtworK
has been split up among the other precincts along
the Westst front. Again. formerly we had no re-
serve force In this precinct, and If anything happened
that called for extra men, we were at loss. NOW
have reserves constantly in readiness night and day.
81 am devoting good deal Of my attention to the
European steamer travel and have formed special
corps Of fifteen picked who are specially detailed
10 that service. These men are all shartlooRlng
officers carefully selected with view to their pc
culiar fitness for such dutesthe sort OF men VINO vi"
exercise the necessary amount OF courtesy ana paehce
and suavity In dealing with passengers ana reassure
nervous old ladies In crowd. With their new UNIFORMS
white gloves and general dapper and spic-and-span
air. they WILL hope present an appearance credtable
TO the precinct and the department You see' snch
force as this has long been vital necessity During
the summer when the outward rush is at its height
there are generally from four 10 five hundred saloon
passengers on each trip Of such boats as the Malesc
Teutonc Etrura, Paris, New-York or Burgogne. Each
Messenger will have with him two three friends 10
see him of, so that one pier we have as many as
ZOO neopIe Now It was obvious to the superin-
tendent the Commissioners and me that one or TWO
nollcemen was wholly inadequate force for the pnr
nose of regulating the tide of travel, and In future
when two big boats are starting at about the same
time We shall have from eight to lime men on each
pier Their duty will be TO keep sharp lookout lot
thieves. who will be watched also by detectives III
Main clothes and sift the crowd that passengers
NAV get on board with the least possible delay.
these boats start with clockwork regularity anu
tbe man who tries TO board after the last gong
has sounded gets mighty poor SHOW vi couFSo
there Is the man who Is always late and comes fearing
down the pier at the last moment ana against ma io
power on earth guard, but we WI try 10 SC i ~
rom himself Two three Of the officers VIII require
lie hack traffic. Whenever steamer leaves pnr 5
during the SUI nAer there as many as FOUR hutcu
carrIares outs @ the pier The incoming boats during
Tho fail are all packed with returning trdVeIeiS oI
trainers visiting this country. The latter VIII no
longer be exposed to the attentions OF the Duhcoseere
and fhe piclpocllet Then, outside arc tho,c "oIse
brIrands. the hackmen, who would fairly eat pas
senrcr alive unless they are Kept under cOnrol-as
thev will be I'm future There are various 0thcr re.
forms in contemplation by the Commissioners anou1
which II will he as we'll to say nothing az present,
The Police Commissioners have not only lrovlncd
CANAAN Sahmittbcrcer with increased ana improves
force Of they have also bum ior nm iinas ,G
and elegantly appointed Office and stngrQDm when
takes mn mart OF the ground formerly occupied oy ms
pier inc captains old room, which was l!ulc blge'r
fhnn a cupboard, forms part Of the sittnS-rooh
for the reserve force.