The evening world., 1893-12-08
MONEY DIVERTED,
A Sum Was Appropriated 10
Establish a Patrol
Wagon Service.
Observation-Disclosures
One Of the Ways Of Keeping
New York Behind
the Age.
CENSURED BY A GRAND JURY.
In a Presentment the Need Of a
Police Signal System Was
Set Forth.
CeNSURED BY A GRAND JURY.

As far back as the month of July, 1891,
the Grand Jury of this county felt called
upon to take action upon the deplorabie
I condition OF the city in regard to
yolice signal system and patrol-wagon
service. or rather lack of 1t. The
Grand Jun rs had spent much time in
vestigutirg the subject. They had also
inquired into the condition of the streets
and the ambulance service. The pre-
sentiment which they handed up attracted
attention everywhere.
1t was scathing rebuke to city Of
fcials for wilful neglect of duties. The
ambulance service was said to be of the
very worst kind. and not half adequate
for the needs Of great city. 1t
spoke of the hundreds of accidents which
took place every month, and of the
delay In taking victims to hospitals for
treatment, The delay in nearly every
case lay. the Grand Jury said, in the
fact that there was no police signal
system, and no patrol wagons. Here is
an txti act rom that presentment:
In view of the needs in this great
city. in which 1t is far below smaller
cities, we deem it our duty to urge
upon the Board of Police Commissioners
all possible speed in selecting the most
perfect system by which the entire pa
troll force of that Department may be
at all times in complete and rapid COM
munication with their station-houses,
both for police purposes and the relief
of the ambulance service.
when this selection shall have been
made. after exhaustive competitive tests
by the Police Department. we urge upon
the Board of Estimate and Apportion-
ment prompt action in making the ap-
preparation necessary to bring into ex-
istence this greatly needed addition to
the useful functions of our city"
That presentment aroused the Police
Board to action, and plans of all kinds
were suggested to properly equip the
city. No longer would the officials be
rebuked. They would do something. and
do 1t quickly.
1t must not be forgotten that the Po-
lice Commissioners had then been tin
kering with the same subject for four
years However they did did get down to
sum of money to initiate the reform.
The Board Of Estimate and Apportion-
ment of that time took kindly to the sug
gestion, and as a result sum of $l2,5OO
was allowed the Police Board to start
with. That was simply the getting in
tinctly understood that all the money
necessary would be appropriated at the
proper time.
Police Commissioners, and great things
were promised while the Grand Jury's
presentment was still fresh In the public
document died away, as 1t did, the
promises died with 1t. Weeks, months
and years have rolled away since then.
Police Commissioner McCiave, when he
explained his side of the case and denied
that there had been any juggling, said
scheme. He wanted to see New York
City away ahead of every other munich
pality, not years behind little country
as 1t Is He did not mention to
been appropriated for police wagons.
Therefore, he never said that not onl;'
purpose, but that instead it had been
diverted to another purpose altogether.
This is not a statement made on hear
sas been is pes fact i Il on rec Record
and the request from the Police Com
missoners to so divert 1t to another pur-
pose is still on file in the Police Com
missioners' office. Here 1t is:
10 the Honorable, the Board Of Estimate;
Gentlemen: Al meeting of the Board OF Police
Resolved, That the Board Of Estimate and APP
% IN. s Sn1eS o s ru
appropriation made to tho Police Department for
the year 1892 entitled For patrol wagons, horses.
harness, subsistence and repairs, which Is In
'kGess OF tho amount received for the purpose and
objects thereof. to the appropriation made TO the
same Department for the wear 1899, entitled For
ne purchase OF site for the location of sta
ton house. &C.. for the Ninth Precinct which |,
Insufficient to enable the Mayor, Aldermen and
,ommonalty OF the city Of New York to purchase
lots Nos 1873. ls5 and 1877 Charles street for the
purpose as herein expressed
The owners OF the premises designated have
eed to sell the lots for this purpose for the sum
OF $1,000. WILLIAM DE LA MATER.
First Deputy Clerk
1t will be seen that the request was
made on Aug. last, and that the Board
or Estimate and Apportionment prompt
~ considered It. The request was
granted. and $4,000 given to start a po
lice patrol wagon service was eaten ny
In another way. In that request the Com
miSsioners say that the sl2,500 was in ex
cess of the amount required. In Other