New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-15
DIR. MOSS ADVISES Mr.. SMITH.
SUGGESTIONS on POLICE LEGISLATION.
ONE OF Tnt COUNSEL. or THE LEXow COMMIT
TEE rsES WHAT HE HAS LEARNED ABOUT
THE DEPARTMENT ~ PREPARING


TEE UsEs WHAT HE HAS LEARNED ABOUT
THE DEPARTMENT IL PREPARING
BILLS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE.
Frank Moss. who took part in the investigation
OF the Police Department. as one OF the co"is''
for the Lexow Committee, wrote TO 'har'eS
Stewart Smith Wednesday 10 express MS Views
about needed police legislation. and Mr.. Smith was
80 much impressed with the views of Mr. Moss
that he expressed a desire that the letter might be
published. Mr.. Moss yesterday gave his consent
although he stated that the letter mad not peeh
written with "A view to allowing 1t to be made pub
lie. The letter is appended:
Charles Stewart Smith Esq.
that you will confer with Mr.. Lexow on saturdhy;;
that the Legislature will pass. 1t is no easy mat
ter TO agree the details OF legislation ana ~ u
work ON TINS police problem for eight years
have measured 1t. and fought with II, anu d mae
ideas Of reform and have put our ideas IN the
shape OF bills that have been prepared WIN .ne
isting law and existing conditions ana 10 cohstitu-
tonal limitations. think You have not seen copies
OF my drafts Il have more clean copies OF ~
together with an explanatory memorandum. h,,
In my opinion here are graver questions Una"
l. REORGANIZATION Itself The Commission should
only make vacancies. but should MI them
L'xow leaves the nlling to The Police Somms-
sioners who will be fully occupied with me tesu-
ough overhauling and re-enlistine;. and | believe
that the whole work Of r.mode i Shou'u Ne
>. \ separate Election Board MI hehhesoh
has P,"pared an act to spTi bs rectSn Bureau in
3 The separation OF the administrative AFFAIRS
Of the department from the police affairs. 20 that
there VIII he no clashng between the oo,' nan-
MOI TAKE e" refuge from charges by throwing the
blame on the other head. This Is the weakest anu
most vicious part OF our present system An IN,
stance: Here are 100 policemen, who have been
convicted by the Commissioners OF making sucn
assaults on citizens would merit lmprlsonmen'
In the pen;entiary in State Prison. ana OF re-
peAting such assaults TWO. three ana toIr times;
and yet have not been prosecuted criminay' ana
have been hned from two TO thirty days pay oh,y.
Here /, awful invasion Of constituonaI risht s
says. No He shows that he prosecuted me
f S,"t blame on The commissioners' No: they
acted in judicial opacity ana anne Toi,e De- Nth
,,S,na ncgl.r, Of d1tye Not successfully for
he can show how tn" Commissioners hamper MN
can we then make such charges against the .on-
missionersF so FOR they are not memoers 9I o.s
force and so are not Included IN inc nIce snpns
should be single. lie should be az free IN IN" con
troll ~ MS force as general ~, ne shor1 ne az
FOR neglect OF duty and FOR oppression etc. IL ne
is made q read of IN" department he can D" sun sun
Justice All around there should b" q right OF APP
peal both to The chief and to c9mpamms ', co,r
rhe-. matters are nil covered In our proposed Dill
TIE pos,r to appoint Po s In , q"' same n Sosr
i-Teis section 20, gives power 10 department 10
o.. Is oHn members Who hay" been appolnt"h ny
fh.ir own uig~--a dangerous power 50 FAR as th'
rights ~ citizens are concerned as IL tends 10 pocs
d.suaf.sul and destroys cOuii"nc" ~ TX a. ulbult
- f.r.se me wrongs of citizens cheap ana 'pec'hI
facilities should be- given 20 'Nl'n- 10 nav" sum.
rugry p. Ire4. for any nhus- ~ poN'r On IN" PARK
~ fl. police" Laird "" have provided for
10. AL cour' connect "a Win ~" d"par'n'ht pu'
OUTSIDE 81 IT, fpr ih~ ira! OF ll oli'ng'' ~ ',,
men ana ~. think tha' mis- feature 81 oar hhI VIII
Wifh ,h..e provisions. anI the separaton Of func-
lions as above -Isg,.t'd. y s"ens I'D M ma, ,n.
II fh. politicians should compel bi partisan ar
raug.ment - could extend only 20 IN" appointment
u officer. ami not io ih"r Cgn't'i "I,t as s.s
nor ~ their punishment t0r Offences. Many abuses
uere dsro.. ri hy ih' l.~Now COMMITTEE" "hcn are
nor touched by 49, bills They ar" "a great dis'p
polnimrni. both IN their mario" scope ana III i" r
q thorough work ~ This time ana think W" 'n'"'
In a. iiiian To- the fundamental propositions above
stated ", have worked in m" following rrfotinatoty
,,~,s,,r... prounr control ~ the surgeons. VINO
a disgrace. contracts 10 u' 49, .T.a .,
before letting them Policemen gulty OF Srn lr 10
Iu,rcan greatly needed = Auditing ~ department
accounts d The law prohibiting policemen from re-
sb,msfil'v evaded : The chic, OF police IL required
10 detail policemen AT polling places from OUTSIDE
the district ,-... ..,.tor
There are other improvements. Iexows pension
bill ia defective. ana II tahs 10 cl.n, VI" ,y ga
uncertainty that v"xes the department: We s'-
romp,lsh what is desired by substituting ana Tor
'or page ~. and by the PROVISIONS AZ 'ne 49,
%, nag, Il Mr. Kenneson and nav" pun a Srcd'
Ica OF hard work IN these proposed bills ana we are
vain enough 10 think that our experience Is worth
somethlng and that We should not let ms work go
waste. knowing your deep anu ~ w., M, on
In This ne we'll a. all other matters that anect our
cl,vs welfare will not attempt to apologize for the
length of m, Communication. Yours sincerely,
FRANK MOSS
fsu.