Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-24
THEO. ROOSEVELT
Effect Of disappointment as a New
:
York Police Commissioner.
MIR. STRONG EMBARRASSED BY WARING
His Denunciation of the &. A. r.
Causes Much Excitement.
POSSIBILITIES IN THE FUTURE

Those New Workers in Washington who
wish Mayor Strong success in his fight
against boss dictation in administering
his office are most highly gratified by the
appointment of Theodore Roosevelt as a
police commissioner for the metropolis.
They predict, too, that the effect of the
appointment will be felt quite as much In
a general way in the special field to
which Mr.. Roosevelt has been assigned.
Mayor Strong's is no holiday task. He is
lighting the machines of both parties, the
one directed by Mr.. Platt and the other
by Mr.. Croker. He has need, therefore.
of the assistance of men who are not only
stout hearted in the case Of reform, but
experienced in the affairs of politics. Mr..
Roosevelt is thought to posses this quail
fcation in an unusual degree. He stands
for reform in its best sense. and he has
benefited by the experience of some years
spent in office. He knows what is wanted
and how to go about getting it, and his
individual performances in his new place
no less than his suggestions to his chief
are likely to realize in their practical value
the highest expectations of his friends.
MIR. Warnings Blunder.
1t 50 happens that, just at this time,
Mayor Strong Is being brought under fire
fer an appointment, which, while excellent
enough on personal grounds, has failed on
otf er grounds. The street cleaning depart
ment of the city is in the hands of Colonel
Waring a man of excellent standing, but,
as 1t has turned out, not a politician in any
sense and most indiscreet in his utter
ances. Being approached recently by sew
eral local commanders of the G. A. r. for
places for members of that organization,
he is represented as flying into a passion
and denOunCinR the WhnIa q
otatton in the most offensive terms, The
episode, indeed, but narrowly escaped being
turned into fist fight in Colonel Waring's s
office. A tremendous stir in C. A. r. circles
has naturally resulted. The posts of the
organization throughout the state are
meeting and denouncirg the street clean
Ing commissioner. and demanding his I'M
mediate removal. The indignation is grow
Ing, and may become national. Mayor
Strong is embarrassed. He Is reluctant to
threw Colonel Waring over so soon after
aprointing him. There is q certain con-
fess ion Of failure in an act of that kind
which sometimes operates beyond the
limits Of the individual case in evidence
And yet 1t will be difficult. the mayors
friends themselves admit. for him to ignore
this complaint of SO powerful an order as
the G. A. r. If it is persisted in. There are
no points in dispute. Colonel Waring ad-
mits having used the language complained
Of. and he does not withdraw 1t. If the
racket continues, therefore, Mayor Strong's
choice is inevitably between Colonel War
ing and the good will of the G. A. R.
Either Colonel Waring must go, or the op-
advantage from the indignation of the In
teEsely aroused old soldiers and their
friends.
What Plntt's Friends Say.
The supporters of Thomas C. Platt are
alert. They are already imbued with what
they characterize as the lesson Of the af-
fair. See" they are saying, 1.-The effect
OF trying to run even the local affairs of
popular government outside of all party
considerations and public influences. There
Is more even in the street cleaning depart
'ment In New York city than the mere
matter of business presented. Colonel
Waring is good man of business, and
merchant does, but never having been in
leadership before and despising what is
properly called leadership. he is totally un-
acquainted with the popular currents and
shoals. If Mayor Strong will only appoint
few more Warnings to important places
under him we need not fight him ourselves
He can then be left to destroy himself"
Effect of Roosevelt's Appointment.
But the appointment of Mr.. Roosevelt
-convinces many people that Mayor Strong
will not oblige Mr.. Platt in this matter
He is getting a frmer hold as he goes
along. He is finding out more about men
form and intends to have 1t. but in a prac-
teal way and with due respect to popular
feeling and sympathieS. Mr.. Roosevelt
Is one of the foremost exponents of the
principle that the government should be
as well served by its employees as a private
business man insists upon being by his
He can see no difference in the obligations
attaching to the two engagements. But he
has been in public life long enough to dis
cover how best to secure ones ends, and
to learn that the best attainments go hand
in hand with the humanities and civilities
And 1t Is this experience, this fnforma tion
that will make him so valuable assist
ant to Mayor Strong. He will insist on a
business-like reorganization and conduct
of his department, but will be able to Sc
cure this without injuring either himself
or his chief by antagonizng whole bodies
of men by injudicious utterances.
Possibilities for RefOrmer.
The situation in New York city is grow
ing so interesting and SO difficult 1t seems
likely that If Mr.. Roosevelt cares to i'm
prove 1t beyond a conscientious discharge
of his official duties there he is entering
upon the greatest opportunity he has yet
enjoyed. To begin with, he will be at home; /;
and what With his youth, his wealth, fine
capacities and the prestige of most hon.
orable name, he may surrender himself
wholly to his work, with the feeling that
whenever he does score 1t will be effective
ly, and that he can afford to wait a while
for a due reward. Ten years from now he
would still be a young man for the gov
ernors chair, or seat in the United States
Senate, and there are experienced poll
ticians VINO believe that the presidency it
self lies in the path of the man contributing
most to solving the question of thorough
good government for cities