New-York tribune., 1895-09-04
A WARNING TO THE POLICE
CHIEF CONLIN SAYS THEY MUST NOT
CONTRIBUTE TO ANY FUND.
COMMISSIONERS PROMISE PROTECTION FROM PER-
sECUTION AND WILL DISMISS OFFICERS WHO
MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE USED

COMMISSIONERS PROMISE PROTECTION FROM PER-
sECuTIoN AND WILL DISMISS OFFICERS WHO
MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE USED
FOR CORRUPT PURPOSES.
The consideration which the Police Commissioners
have been giving to the reported formation OF
secret organization in the Department designed to
fight the efforts OF the Commissioners to reorganiZe
the force resulted last night in decisive action on
the part OF the Board BY general order. issued
by Chief Conlin and read in the various police
stations at midnight all members OF the force were
informed that they were not obliged to belong to
any organizato contribute to any fund what-
ever unless they chose to do so. and they were
warned that any contribution to fund raised for
corrupt purposes would be punished by dismissa.
from the Department and would be further likely
to land the officers contributing in Jail on the
other hand. the protection Of the Commissioners
was promised TO members Of the Department
against any petty persecution on the part CT their
associates superior officers should they refuse TO
contribute to any such fund.- should an attempt to
raise it be made. and the good intentions OF the
Police Board toward the Department were again
repea ted and emphasized.
This action was initiated by Commissioners Roose-
welt and Parker. who since the end Of last week
have been carefully investigating and considering
the rumors as to the actions Of the rank and file
Of the Department which had come to their ears
The substance Of these reports has been to the ef
feet that a meeting OF delegates from the various
precincts in the city had been held, with the inten-
ton OF forming assoc citation in the Department
which should raise fund Of from $4,000 to sloHoH ocS
for the purpose of influencing legislation to niock %
reform police legislation at Albany. The assoca-
ton It was said. was to consist Of patromen,
roundsmen and sergeants. who were to pay an
initiation fee respectively OF $50. SO and 80. AFTER;
ward the mer were to contribute from . upward
per month according to their pay and standing IN
the DEPARTMENT. The fund thus raised was TO be
spent In securing the election Of one or more mem
hers OF the Legislature who would work solely IN
the interests OF the men who had enabled them 10
20 10 Albany by blocking all reform police legisa-
ton and ty brihng other members or the Les's-
iature to vote against police reform bills.
some anxiety experienced among frlends or
the Police Board who know the ropes last night.
lest their action should be construed into an attack
on the TWO organizations which already exist In
two organIzations in the force. both OF harmless
nature one is the Police Benevolent Association.
an organization formed for insurance purposes. the
members of which. by paying Is cents per month
secure a payment to their relatives OF sDn at
dsath The other Is the Patroman's Protective
Organization the members OF which are patrol
men and in which officers In the force have no
pOWer