The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-15
POLICE ARE TOO FAT
Chief Murphy Recommends a
Gymnasium Naughty
Coppers on Trial.

h Police Commissioners, at a meet
ing held yesterday afternoon, increased
the salary of Chief of Police Murphy
from $500 to $1,000 per year. This slight
raise has been promised the Chief a
long time. No one in the lobby was
more surprised than he was when the
resolution ordering the increase was
passed. It will 90 into effect on the first
day of next month, which is the begin
ming of the new fiscal year.
Surgeon Nevin sent a long communi-
cation to the Board urging the estab-
lishment of a gymnasium for the use
of the men of the department. The rec
concentration made an impression upon
the Commissioners, particularly as it fol-
lowed a letter referring to Patrolman
Billy" Luyster.
Luyster is about five feet in height.
His abdominal measurement is about
nine feet. Some people say he is out
OF proportion. He has always borne the
reputation. however, of being one of the
fastest runners IN the department..
"Billy's" only fault, one of the police
captains say, is that when he gets start
ed he has to run into a fence or tree to
stop himself. Luyster. according to
Surgeon Nevin's report. has been sick
now for III days. During two years
that he served in the First precinct, he
was sick 230 days. The surgeon recon-
mended his retirement because he is too
fat to do police duty properly.
He called attention to the fact thai
policemen are apt to get fat and stiff
because Of their inactive duties. The
fact was cited also that criminals as a
rule are active, athletic men and are in
good shape to give an ordinary policeman
a hard battle. The gymnasium, the sur
seon declared, could be conducted eco-
the entire department. The recommends
ton was referred for consideration.
In the Second precinct Captain Kelly
proved beneficial. The men Of that pre-
cinct are rarely sick.
The recommendation to retire Luyster
was referred for consideration.
Patrolman James Coyne of the First
precinct was TIP on charges of neglect Of
aaty. ago re an LET w ala R Rome. one He ni td1d n 9Se
him to go home. the doctor failed to
appear at the last ria meeting to cor
postponed until yesterday. He was fined
five days pay and warned to keep away
from the board In future or lake chances
on dismissal William Dawson was fined
duty.
Walter Skiff of the First precinct. who
for seven years has been a patrolman,
resigned, He was absent without leave
a few days ago. Fearing dismissal, he
got out. John Mitchell was absent two
days without leave. He was fined one
days pay Ee said he was sick.
George Kennedy, a recently appointed
chaneeman. was bounced. He reported
James Cox was fined five days pay for
being off his post.
HONORABLE MENTION.
Chief Murphy communicated with the
board and suggested that Captain Cox
and Detectives Larkins, Dalton and Pear
son be commended for their excellent
service in the Sorretto murder case. He
also recommended that Captain Thomas
O'Neill be Thanked for the assistance he
gave IN the same case.
Patrolman Stevens was transferred
from the Sixth precinct to the Fourth,
and Patrolman Toner from the Fourth to
the Sixth precinct,
Special police power was conferred on
e. 3. Baker. The board. before adjourn
ing, accented an invitation to attend the
annual ball OF the Yorng Men's Repub-
Hcan Club tonight IN Woods Hall.