New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-26
RyRNES AND RETIREMENT.
MIR ROOSEVELT SAID TO DESIRE HIS
RESIGNATION.

WITH DIR. PARKHURST-THE COM
MIssIoNERs DENY HAVING
MADE STATEMENTS De
ROGAToRY TO
Mr. BYRNEs
Proceedings al Police Headquarters during the last
few DAYS have indicated that the Commissioners
are anxious to have Chief OF Police Thomas ByrneS
retire from the Department. 1t is believed that
President Roosevelt desires to hasten the retire
ment of Mr.. Byrnes before the work OF reorgan!z-
.ng the police force is begun. and there have been
Indications that Mr. Roosevelt in that matter has
the active or passive support OF the other Commits
sioners 1t is understood that Major Andrews. by
the advice of the Rev. DR. Parkhurst Will be as
active as possible in efforts to force the early retire
ment Of the Chief IT is question. however. II all
the Commissioners ready to unite in the effort
10 force Nj Byrnes 10 retire until he j. ready
10 90.
The attitude OF Chief Byrnes may he inferred only
from some OF his recent opinions and those of his
friends in the Department. who talk quietly on the
subject for Mr.. Byrnes at present declines to say
anything about the Commissioners or about MS own
p,ans He has said that when he placed his appii-
cation for retirement in the hands Of Mayor strong
last December he was ready to leave the Depart
ment at any time and give all possible aid in the
work of reorganzing the Department When Mayor
Strong later handed back the application and said
ne wanted Mr.. Byrnes to remain in charge of the
Department for time. NJ Byrnes felt that he
ought not 10 desert his force until the police force
was in better condition His friends now say
that he is still ready and willing TO retire as soon
rs he can feel that his departure would not nave
the effect further demoralize the force. He is
not willing they say. to leave the Department at a
time when the force is in sadly demoralizei state
and when there has been nothing done TO improve
the conditions. In other words. Mr.. Byrnes wants
10 see the work of reorganization under way before
he steps out, and Commissioners Roosevelt and
Andrews want to get him out or the way before
they begin TO reorganize.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED.
Such a condition inevitably causes conflict. and
there may be interesting developments at the Cen
tra Office any day. There were some developments
Yesterday The Commissioners got 10 their offices
an hour before noon and usual. Chief Byrnes
was in his office a much earlier hour. Commits
soner Parker barely had time to get comfortably
seated when he was visited by Chief Byrnes. The
two men taxed together more than hour. Colonel
Grant was with them few minutes, and then went
I'D 10 President Roosevets room II was under
stood later that Mr. Byrnes had made his position
toierably plain to the Commissioners in his talk with
Mr.. Parker. He felt that he had cause for com
plant in some OF the things which had been printed
in the newspapers. and which appeared TO be In
spired by President Roosevelt He wanted TO be
treated with fairness and with respect due 20 his
position. He wanted the Commissioners TO under
stand that he would not oppose them. but would
rather aid them. in their plans for the improvement
OF the Department. and that when they were ready
10 put man in his place as Chief OF Police ne
would willingly retire. but he did not want to leave
his Office until he could surrender It 10 a man who
could f it properly.
Mr.. Byrnes. 1t was said. talked plainly about
statement which seemed TO have been inspired 10y
Mr. Roosevelt. In which II declared that Mr..
Roosevelt felt that the presence Of Chief Byrnes
in the force was demoralizing and obstacle to
reform: that the Commissioners might remove him
from Office charges, without giving him chance
10 retire voluntarily and that the relations between
Mr. Byrnes and George j. Gould might be inquired
into II the Commissioners placed Mr.. Byrnes on
trial. There also report that Ie.la Nicoaus.
the adventures who testified before the Grand Jury
in an effort TO cause the Indictment OF Mr. Byrnes.
averrlng that she had been bounded by the police
because she began suit against Mr. Gould, mad
been Induced by DR. Parkhurs 10 make another
complaint TO the Commissioners as basis for
charges against Mr. Byrnes II was said that NJ.
Iyrnes also spoke his mini freely in the talk with
Commissioner Parker about an anonymous letter
which had been placed before the Police Board on
Friday with the apparent purpose Of having 1t
printed. The letter had been addressed by the IN
known writer to President Roosevelt and 1t declared
that Mr.. Byrnes had made Sl,5O00co by blackmaii
and corruption that he Sun had any number of col
done anything meritorious. The belief that Mr.
Roosevelt had caused such anonymous abuse 10 be
published was said to have angered Mr. Byrnes
and moved him 10 make the demand for fdrer treat
Ment BY the Commissioners.
CHIEF BYRNES AND PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
After the interview between Chief Byrnes and
Commissioner Parker came to an end. the four
Commissioners had consultation In Mr.. Parker's
room. At l:3o o'clock Mr. Roosevelt came out and
upstairs to his own office few minutes
later Chief Byrnes was again sent for. and was
closeted with Messrs Andrews. Parker and Grant
lie remained only few minutes with them. and
then returned his office. After he had gone down
stairs President Roosevelt again Joined his col
leagues. Mr.. Roosevelt. IL was thought. appeared
20 by trying TO avoid meeting Chief Byrnes. The
Commissioners later in the afternoon summoned
the reporters to Mr.. Parkers Office. and gave out
the following statement;
The members Of the Police Board. having had
their attention called to various statements tn me
their mouths statements dcrogaiory To or renecting
been made by individual members Of the Board 10
representatives. OF the press. do each nnqua.ifediy
ment or It's authorization. Each OF the Commits
sloners deeply regrets ne unauthorlzci punlicanon
s.snderous communication flied a, the Board meet
ing Of May "a 1891 Ths commnn,ca,ion was re-, re-
Board are received and placed on hle
NOT INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION.
All the Commissioners deny having given out
the letter. They questioned the reporters who at
tended the meeting and learned that the letter
passed from the Chief Clerks hands to the Com
mssloners. Mr.. Parker had II. and later Mr. Roose-
veit looked at II and handed 1t TO Mr. Andrews
After Mr. Andrews read It, 1t was passed TO the
reporters. who copied the document.
Commissioner Andrews. who had the letter last
before the reporters got It. was somewhat put out
did ! ask you TO publish it?" he asked one OF
the reporters. The reporter said. mo" but that
Mr.. Andrews had handed the letter to him. An,
other reporter said that President Roosevelt handed
the letter Mr. Andrews. The President said ne
did not remember having seen the letter at all. All
the Commissioners wished II 10 be understood that
the publication OF the letter was unauthorized.
THE POLICE FORCE SHORT-HANDED.
ONLY ONE INSPECTOR. AND NUMEROUS vAcAN-
CIEs LOWER DOWN
The retirement OF Inspector Williams from the