New-York tribune., 1896-04-08
A TILT IN THE POLICE BOARD
PROMOTIONS DISCUSSED IN PUBLIC
MEETING.
4 LIVELY COil.OQUY BETWEEN MEsSRs ROOsE
- WELT. AND PARKER--A STANDING ELIGIBLE

LIVELY Coi.l.OoUY BETWEEN MEsSRs. ROOsE-
WELT AND PARKER STANDING ELIGIBLE
LIST NOT FAVORED.
There was open between Commissioners
Roosevelt and Parker at the meeting of the
Police Board yesterday. Heretofore the men,
bers of the Police Board have not aired their
differences in public, although 1t has been
known for some time that Commissioner Parker
and Chief of Police Conlin were standing to-
gether against Commissioners Roosevelt. Grant
and Andrews, and blocking all promotions in
the Department.
Commissioner Parker started the discussion
at the meeting yesterday by proceeding to give
his views about the necessity for another elg-
bic list from which to select inspectors and
captains Of the force He said he thought the
Commissioners ought to have large eligible
list to make selections from. In reply to
question by President Roosevelt. he said that
he and Chief Conlin had objected to the pro-
motion Of Acting Captains Steinkamp and Kear
for reasons which the other Commissioners un-
derstood. Mr. Roosevelt said he thought it was
not fair to place men on the eligible list for
merit and then hold them up for many
months. Commissioners Roosevelt and Parker
wrangled a little construction OF the
Civil Service rules. and Mr. Roosevelt said that
wher the old eligible list was wiped out at
recent meeting there were five captains left
unappointed. not talking of inspectors.
II knew nothing about rating the inspectors,
remarked Commissioner Parker. Il was not
consulted about it, st.4f.
1T was done at regular Board meeting
broke in Commissioner Andrews.
J.. Mr.. Parker" said Commissioner Roosevelt
very sternly you were absent from the meet
ing. 1t was one of the meetings you did not
attend" =
Mr. Parker-I believed that acting captains
were not sufficiently tested. j suggested to
try them longer. But for that, imagine. they
with the exception of the two i objected TO-
would have been made captains at once 80 s..
NO STANDING ELIGIBLE LIST.
= Mr. Roosevelt want particularly to avoid
leaving men the eligible list AS far as
am concerned. should hold examinations
with view of filing vacancies. we shoulo
not give merit marks unless we agree 10 staha
by them and appoint the men, We shouid not
give merit marks until we are satisfied ABOUT
the men. The force has been accused in the
past OF intrigue, and when men e-held up ana
held ,up, and then suddenly appointed for rea-
sons Of which the outside world knows nothing
II gives rise to criticism. 1t Is great mis-
take to put man on the eligible register and
then hold him up. | do not think the PROPOSE
tion to have large permanent eligible hst is
a wise one. 1t would give chance to get ap-
pointments by intrigue. l say this because you
want to discuss the subject Take the IN
specfors' list We have discussed that for three
months Three Commissioners thought there
should be an eligible list You did not
Mr.. Parker-Oh yes. IL was you ana WHO
talked together, and We set dates for the ex-
aminations.
Mr.. Roosevelt-So far as | know Mr. Parker.
cir caDtain proposed to
give q mark for inspector.
Mr. Parker-I had no objections to fixing the
examinations. and certainly could nave none 10
San eligible list. did not join in marking the
Three men, Running over the whole force
found only some ten men who were unsmirched
for captains This was the melancholy fact
, For that reason l wanted the inspectors exami-
nations put off as far as possible
Mr.. Andrews-You were here. Mr. Parker and
all agreed that the examinations Tor hgher
grades should be held a week apart
Mr. Roosevelt-You never raised any ooJec-
tions to the dates fixed
Mr.. Parker--I felt that my objections would be
useless My idea was TO let the lower grades
develop men. Your idea was to fll the vacancies
from the top down. Is that correct, Mr.. Roose-
welt?
Mr.. Roosevet-with this modification. We
anpointed where we had the men fit, and left
vacancies where We did not.
NO POLITICAL INFLUENCE.
Mr. Parker--As to rumors that may fly about
and as to what the outside public may think. the
police force does not believe the Board dishonest
There never has been the slightest political in
Auence in the matter Of appointments. whether
Democratic or Republican. You. Mr.. President,
have praised Democrats. and have spoken well
OF Republicans more than you have. There Is
In tho
honesty is concerned'-
II don't think 1t is necessary to discuss that"
interrupted Mr.. Roosevelt. Commissioner An
drews said the same. hut Mr.. Parker went on:
IF officers think political or pecuniary consid-
Grafton will win them places, they will md out
sooner later their mistake. If we paid at
tention to newspaper attacks or any lnnuehce
or outside talk it would weaken u.s.
"My dear sir, do you think newspapers govern
me?" demanded President Roosevelt;
Mr. Parker-You and have laughed again ana
again over politicians who have come mere look
ing for this and that and have been thrown down.
so to speak. do think your objection is que 10
YOUR desire 10 avoid criticism and Is superiuous
Mr. Roosevelt with much warmth)-Any man
who thinks l wish 10 avoid criticism must be
thin-skinned. but when a man Is held up and no
reason is given he grows to believe there must be
some pressure needed. The pressure Is applied
end ne is appointed. He may have been appoint
Cd without the pressure but he or his friends don't
know that know cases where men were held up
and politicians interfered don't know whether
the political influence secured their appointment
or not. have heard story about politician
seeing a Commissioner to get man promoted
do not know whether the man was promoted be-
cause he was a good man or because of political
inNuence In consequence of the unfortunate
opinion of the Corporation Counsel we cannot
sest man for acting captain or acting inspector.
After some further discussion. Mr. Parker said:
aft depends upon the Commissioners to get the
IDEA OF bringing influence to bear out Of the men s
heads Some Of the most reputable men In town
M Woct n.thCf