New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-31
DIR. PARKHURST CRITICAL.
POSITIVE THERE WAS AN UNDERSTAND.
ING OVER BYRNES.
HE SAYS THAT THE TREATMENT GIVEN TN
AND THE SURPRISE SPRUNG AT THE
CLOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION WERE
ALL ARRANGED-MR BYRNEs AT
HEADQUARTERS PACKING UP
HIS PRIVATE PAPERS.


HEADQUARTERS PACKING UP
: HIS PRIVATE PAPERS.
The Lexow Committee. its accomplishments
end the sensa tional winding up OF Saturdays
proceedings afforded by Superintendent Byrness
letter Of resignation 10 MaJor-elect Strong, fur'
lshed the principal topic of conversation yesters
day wherever men congregated.
'WiII Mayor Strong retain him." was a lead
ing question whenever the superintendent
rs me mentioned
Dr. Parkhurst was yesterday'b by Trib-
! une representative.
When asked to comment on the work or the
| Lexow Committee he said:
! II hardly think that ought TO say anything.
I To treat the subject adequately would take
! great deal Of time. There Is great deal that
/ could say but will not make known my en-.
tire sentiments to-day"
Have you a n idea from reading the testimony
OF Superintendent Byrnes that there was a pre-
! vious understanding between the Superintend-
| ent and the Lexow Committee?" he was asked.
NO DOUBT IN HIS MIND.
! The doctor smiled just little he said with
emphasis:
There is not the slightest doubt about It. In
fact I am free to say that I knew some time
ago that there was understanding between
the committee and NJ. Byrnes. l am not pre-
pared to say that Mr.. Goff had any knowledge
| OF it, but the understanding involved the manner
in which Mr.. Byrnes to be treated. Just
| what the understanding was I decline to state,
| but / knew that Byrnes was not to be badly
damaged. -
II first made up my mind that there'wss an
| understanding when I heard that Byrnes was
supplying the )mm!ttee with Information
| don't know Just how long ago this arrangement
was entered into. My sentiments in regard 10
/ NJ are
nave been. This understanding between. Byrnes
and the committee did not affect my views or
the views Of the members Of the society Win
| which am identified toward the Superintendent
in the least. have been lighting Mr. Byrnes
three years. and he has been fighting us. and
am firmly Of the conviction that IL care for the
safety Of our organization cannot anord 10 De-
come allied with the enemy in any way. shape
or manner. l look upon Superintendent Byrnes
| as a constituent part of system that Is cor
rupt and for that reason do not believe It u
wise to have any dealings with him.
| OvERTrRES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr. Byrnes has made overtures to our 30
| ciety. looking to cooperation with us. In cor
roboration of this statement l can refer to the
| time were having so much trouble with the
Grand Jury. De Lancey Nicoll said to me-
! why don't you take Superintendent Byrnes
into YOUR confidence? He will aid you in
| pounding the captains To which / replied:
/ NO. no; he might assist me In pounding tne
captains. but he is in the same box with the
well the captains.
our society started out with a certain OBJ
! ject in view. I'd the only safe way TO accom-
! plish good in he line laid out is to follow
! the line straie / You cannot afford to accept
favors from a man who Is working against YOU
! II YOU mortgage your house the mortgage must
be paid off, and If IL isn't paid OH II VIII be fore-
/ closed s,..
/ testimony TO the effect that he has been seri-
ously hampered by the Commissioners in the
performance OF his duty"
"I am only a poor little Pre- esbyterian clergy
man." said DR.. Parkhurst. scornfully. "and
| what has taken me year or two years TO DO.
! Superintendent Byrnes. with ample power at
| his command. would be able TO do in a week II
/ he were minded.
What will be the outcome of the present sit
| uatior?'
! piled the doctor jovially. 1T is not safe to
! prophesy. especially If the papers are going to
print II. But ! expect 10 have something
pertinent to say in the course OF few days"
DO you still adhere TO your idea OF military
police SYSTEM
| Yes / still believe that such a system would
be best But / have been misunderstood In
regard to the matter. l am in favor OF a
police system on military basis. but not
necessarily with a military head"
"Do you regard Superintendent Byrnes
having been brought up in politcs?"
II cannot say that SO regard him." answered
Dr. Parkhurst.
COLONEL STRONG SILENT
Mayor-elect Strong by Tribune re-
.
yesterday.
"Wl Mr. Byrnes be Supe rirtendent Of Police
under your Administrations" he was asked.
That Is naturally delicate question at this
stage Of the proceedings. and one which could
hardly be expected to answer replied the
Mayor-elect. who refused TO talk any further on
the subject.
PACKING Up HIS PRIVATE PAPERS.
Superintendent Byrnes went to Police Head
quarters at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. and
spent four hours there In packing up his pri-
vate papers for removal In case Mayor Strong
should send his resignation to the Board Of
Police Commissioners for acceptance For
ccptance' is the phrase used by the Headquar-
ters people generally 10 describe the situation
which would result. should the letter ue for
warded to the board TO act
The collecting of his papers was done by the
Superintendent and his private secretary. Ser.
geant Frank Mangin. In Mr. Byrnes's private
room. The shutters To the rooms windows were
closed. is usual on Sunday. when the Superin-
tendent is not there. and no one knew that he
had been To Headquarters until after he had
departed
The Superintendent resignation was the only
topic Of discussion around headquarters yester-
day. Regret his probable departure seemed,
however to be completely overshadowed In the
amaZenient 10 what would happen after he
had gone. and where a competent successor could
bc found.
Inspector Conn is the next officer in rank to
the Superintendent. and would be first in the
race for Mr. Byrnes's mantle. He enjoys the
distinction OF being the only Inspector un-
smrched by the testimony given before the
LeXow Committee.
But while an excellent routine officer. he is not
credited with any remarkable executive ability
OF the rank and file OF the department. Inspector
Mclaughlin the present head OF the detective
department. is considered a more brilliant ohicer,
but the evidence brought out by Mr.. Goff will
tell against him should there be any contest for
the Superintendency between Inspector Conlin
and himself Inspectors Williams and McAvoy
are both regarded out of the race. the former
being condemned by his record.
JUDGE COwING'S VIEWS
Judge Rufus b. Cowing was chatting with Q