The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-10-04
URGES MARTIAL RULE.
G. Waldo Smith Wants Police Put
on a Military Basis.
Asks Chamber Of Commerce TO
Adopt Novel Resolutions.
Proposes to Divorce the Force from
Civil or Political Pulls.

The disclosures OF police corruption
| brought out before the Lexow Investi-
| eating Committee. received the attention
| OF the Chamber OF Commerce at to-days'
special meeting. The subject was broach-
ed by G. Waldo Smith, who is anxious
that the entire police system be COM
pletely changed.
Not only does he and other members
OF the Chamber of Commerce believe
that politicians should not rule the
force, but he contends that II should be
stripped of all civil appearance, and in
stead, should be changed into a military
body with its members subject to court
martial and the sternest OF discipline.
His scheme also embraces many other
novel ideas, which took some OF the
members by surprise. Here is the pre-
amble and resolution which he asked
he Chamber to adopt
Whereas, The city OF New York pays something
more than IS. 900, 900 per annum for police pro-
lection. and
Whereas The rate OF remuneration paid and the
LIBERAL provision for retirement provided. should
not only procure high grade Of men for the
'orce but ais faithful efficient and conscientious
Whereas 1t has been proven by the testimony
given before the Legislative investigating Com
mlttee and also by the trials held before the
Police Commissioners. that unlawful privileges
nave been secured by the criminal classes by the
payment OF money to some members Of the force.
md that citizens have been compelled to pay
money In order to secure lawful privileges. there
fore
Resolved, That the Chamber OF Commerce OF the
state OF ew York believes that the poice force
II the city OF New York should DO divorced from
all civilian and political control. and that Il
should be constituted on some sch basis as Is the
army Of the United States. or the militia Of the
state OF New York. with all grades OF officers
md Commander n-Chlef. all OF whom shall
rave risen out OF the ranks with provisions
Q the force by " stricte.t civil.ssr.
vice rules. with provisions for promotion
~ ed upon CivIl Service examination
and the previous record Of the applicant; with
provision that all persons who secure unlawful
privileges by the payment Of money or who are
leRes shall be held Eulltless before the law and
shall be competent witnesses against any ofnrer
who, while receiving liberal remuneration for
the faithful performance Of his duty In guard
Ing the peoples interests and In enforcing the
observance Of the law bctraSs his trust for money
shall be held In strict accountability before the
Mr. Smith made lengthy speech,
urging the adoption OF the resolution.
He said that in the light OF the Lexow
invest lgatlnn, no sane man could believe
that New York could ever see an efficient
police force so long as II was ruled by
politicians or civilians. He also pointed
out that In order to get at half the truth
concerning police corruption II was ne
cessary to promise protection.
The resolutions were referred by the
Chairman, Alexander +. Orr, 10 the
Committee on Municipal Administration.