The evening world., 1895-01-04
BYRNES IS WILLING.
Hi Friends Say He Would Re-
organize the Police Dept.
He 70 Said TO Have He Plans For
It Already Made.
Report 'of q Conference With the
Mayor About His Retirement.

A rumor was circulated at Police
Headquarters this morning to the effec,
that Supt.. Byrnes had held a private
consultation with Mayor Strong late
yesterday afternoon or last night in ref
erence to his application for retirement.
The rumor could not be confirmed at
Headquarters, as the Superintendent
refused to say anything whatever con-
cerning the matter.
Mayor Strong refused to affirm or deny
the truth Of the conference rumor.
The Police Commissioners and, in
fact. all other members OF the Depart
ment who are familiar with the rules
and the laws governing designations
and retirements are greatly mystified
ever the Superintendent's action. There
10 quite general belief among mem
bers Of the Department that Byrnes Is
not sincere in his publicly expressed
desire to be relieved from office. II he
was anxious to be retired, it is argued,
that he would have made application to
the Police Board.
Mayor Strong said. however. that
there was no truth In the report that he
had sent Supt. Byrnes's letter to the
Police Board with Instructions that 1t
should be acted upon.
The Police Commissioners are In
alone can grant applications for retire
ments or accept designations. The
Mayor. although appointing the Com
se "hs nss persss s vSss sSsn in 70 ne s
what his opinion or desire might be in
any particular case, as. for instance.
that Of supti Byrnes, .,,.o u.,o o,,,,
the Superintendent's confidence declare
that he Is really anxious to get out. His
reason for applying to MAYOR Strong,
quaint the public in the most graceful
manner Of his desire to vacate the Office
and to assure the Mayor that he was
unwillhng to stand nos,,,Sa in the way Of the
plans he might have In mind in reference
to the Police Department.
Some OF the statements Of these con-
They say MIR Byrnes would willingly
enter upon the task Of reorga anizing the
force. and that he would begin. work
he has his plans already perfected. and
has talked them over in private with
the Lexow Committee and Mayor
Another thing is certain in the event
Of Byrnes's selection-there will be no
delay resulting from conflict Of opin-
must be accepted without material
knows more about the business than
anybody else.
Whether or not the task falls to him,
asked for. suggestions. If his advice is
needed there will be some radical
Innovations, such as the abolishment Of
Commissioners. the office Of Inspectors.
the replacing Of policemen in clerkships
by civilians, and the ousting OF al sine
cures In every branch of dne Depart
ment.
AS yet the Superintendent has not ap-
piled to the Police Board for retirement.
AT least Chief Clerk Kipp so states,
The Superintendent and ,Commissioner
Murray are on very friendly terms, and
1t would not be surprising If the latter
notified his colleagues at the Board
meeting. this afternoon that the applica-
tion had been handed to him.
Martin and Sheehan may not vote for
the retirement, 1t is said. until the Leg
islature takes action. They are not on
good terms with the Superintendent for
many reasons. and seem to imagine it
among the possibilities that Mr.. Byrnes
may be iegislated out Of ONCE. In fact,
It is said that no retirements. excepting
in cases Of total disability. will be made
until here is some evidence Of what the
Legislature proposes to do.