New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-21
POLICE BOARD WRANGLE
ROOSEVELT AND PARKER QCARhE'
ABOUT THE INsPECTORsHIPs.

cIARING THAT HE WOULD NOT LISTEN TO
MR. PAHKER-BITTERLY PERSONAL
STATEMENTS AND COUNTER
STATEMENTS
The Police Commissioners yesterday hau a'De'
quarrel over the in spectorsh ps question: an" "l''
personal statements and counterstatements ny es,s
Roosevelt and Parker followed the outbreak ~ '"'
meeting. Mr. Andrews withdrew from the Board room
after declining TO listen Mr.. Parkers exp.ah.s'pn
OF his refusal TO vote for the promotion Ok cap Az
Brooks and Captain McCuilagh. now sevns- ~
spectors TO the rank OF inspector .oI 90 9
Mr. Andrews brought up the question 10 TIC ''e.'
ing by moving the promotion OF captains D,'o~'
and McCullaeh Presden, Roosevelt directed tne
chief clerk 10 call the roll Messrs. hoo-eFe'''
Andrews and Grant voted aye. When i came -
Mr. Parker's turn TO vote he said now MI ri's'
dent regarding this matter I should IKE % h'ane
statement in order to set my position on 'e0'''- "
VIII be brief , 49,.
C,,-,-o,ssoner Andrews exclaimed hotly: Il OBJECT
- any further arguments concerning this matter n
public There have been 50 many statement A.
ready made. ,.
But have A right to state my reasons TOT 'o""s
as I Intend to- said Mr.. Parker
IF il is going 20 be a long statement proNe y"
Commissioner Roosevelt Il think It had pe''e' ="
submitted 10 the Commissioners themselves
Commissioner Parker replied that II "ouh oniS ."
brief We'll. let hear H." responded the pres'-
dent 80 long as It will be short
Commissioner Andrews showed his chair pack ana
started 10 get up. saying: Il have voted WITHDRAW
from the Board Statements have been made pre-
and con for a year and half Any furtner atsu-
rncnt IS disgraceful and demoraizng to the force
Mr. President" said Commissioner Parker. i pro
tes; at Mr.. Andrews characterizins my s'a'ei'e'''
as disgrace,ul protest agains mis- using sdeh
language here. 49,,
IT maintain that dlsgraceful arguments nave taken
place over this matter" re,orted Mr.. Andrews
.I s,nplv wish TO say"-began Mr.. Parker. when
Commissioner Andrews rose and eft the bof'o room.
As Mr. Andrews going out he turned ana s"-n
have voted and will not listen to any more state
lents" -
Mr. Parker then went Il simply wish 20 say
thar If had no other objections 10 tho TWO men upo"
the list should feel unable 70 vote for them lo' wv
nositlon OF inspector from that lst because 1 ia
that the list Is Illegal in rs very inception cur
ider its existence due not an evasion OF me ia"-
hnaa,so tho word evasion implies suh;erfuge or
nre,ence 70 conceal VOCATION Of the law-ae ansou'e
avoved and wlful breaking OF the la"
ILLEGAL ACTION CHARGED.
81 ,hink-ana when say this am speaker for
what I consider the whole Boards welfare ',''"N
that the solemn pledge which the law mah's mo-
these men should be rated on th'lr ine'''S' 80
which tho Board has sworn 10 accord then' mas
been made mock-ry by the action OF the boa'u'
and the whole examination is as though only Two
men entered IT, think that the members OF the
Board who took that action have not only zone
an Illegal thing. but have made themselves 0''ii'
nallv liable / believe that II any oMcais OF 'ne
last administration had done what these commas
sioners have done they would by now be either IN
custodv or under bail | believe that II Coinfnis-
sioners Martin Sheehan Murray and ker"in had
done IT, that would have been their present con-
dltion
81 have only 20 say in conclusion that II Is not
unlikely that this Board may be made the subject
~ official inquiry possibly Of hostile inquiry With
in the next few weeks and in that event, when
what | consider an abuse OF discretion. or rther
total abandonment Of discretion Is disosssd
in the very system which We were cmpS9weefS 20 %
AT least one voice shall be found 70 have pro
tested agains GoI % 'm yae pSSt o myself 0" record
When MT Parker had concluded Commissioner
Is nothing for M to say sIyf ivy merits Of
drews precisely few weeks before before ! I onttd
int s' the sergcants for captains. The marks were
based on exactly the same prnclples as before j.
Colonel Grant 3rok Rr In Rnd and ia s
Commissioner Roosevelt interruptsd the ooi,oneij
saying: They were rated relatively. That Is al
"Relatiye to what?" asked Commissioner Parker
sarcastically.
MIR ROOSEVELT ANGRY
Mr. Roosevelt jumped to his feet and glared
across the table at Mr. Parker.
I'VE rate them relatively TO one another" he
said forcibly
Then you establish ideal standard and rate
just the two men," replied Mr. Parker.
That is your understanding. not miae" snapped
President Roosevelt. pointing his finger az NJ.
Parker across the table
The latter remarked: "Wky. you have said YOU
would give the other captains higher ratings after
Brooks and Mccullash were appointed -.
Roosevelt.
COMMISSIONS Parker here started 70 ,,y some some
ard angry voice: DO NOT Interrupt me- did not
For a few moments the two Commissioners talked
at the same time Mr.. Roosevelt was angry, and
his voice could be heard outside If the corridor.
They wrangled together for while and tn.n
Commissioner Roosevelt suddenly exclaimed; we
did precisely you I'D. Mr.. Parker. when you
rated Groo and Nredenbursh down snd after~ard
changed your marks
doubtless say this was dsgraceful and denoraliz-
ing" retorted Mr. Parker smiling. President
a bang and shouted Case closed
After the meeting Mr.. Parker gave our state
mcnt declaring that II Captains Brooks and NJ
Cuagh wanted him to announce publicly hts
objections to their promotions he would do He
thought II was improper gratuitously 20 publish
anything unfavorable 20 an official. He asserts
r osp ss ia .o M Of nroo s Sd
McCullagh. and that the president had said that
they we're based on runor and hearsay. "Tha; ia
Inspector Williams out OF the Department"
SAYS Mr.. PARKER is NOT SINCERE
In reply 10 Mr. Parkers statement. Mr. Rooss-
welt said. among other things:
Mr.. Parker's talk was purely a bur and a fake
bluff at that. sympath,ze much with the reluctance
OF Commissioners Grant and Andrews to hear Mr.
Parker or y enter into an argument with him be-
cause We all know that hls arguments are not
made in good faith and there l. no reason TO argue
with a man when YOU don't believe he is telling
the truth '9
II Is his last expedient IN hts disc redifa bic EFFORTS
10 damage the Police Board I'm order 10 crafty his
personal spite against worthy officials whose only
oHence Is that they sought 10 earn their promo
lions by faithful performance OF tuty instead u
seeking TO make terms either with Mr. Parkerlor
WIN politicians OF influence with whom ha ,,n,xt,
be willing to bargain"
Mr. Parker said In renlY 70 Mr. Roosevnlt. y a.