New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-06
-oocrvELT AND FITCH AT 1T.
y TILT OVER THE TRANSFER OF
POLICE FUNDS.
rfrp PISTOLS MENTIONED AND THE
.voe THREATENS TO ARREST BOTH
on THE DISPUTANTS

THREATENS TO ARREST BOTH
or THE DIsPUTANTs.
There ~ Estimate yesterday. 1t was one
ne "'.oae added 10 the series growing out OF
gore w. FYtch's refusal to transfer something
conuo" en- 600 said TO have been expended un-
sss '"A ,,ouce Boards direction for obtaining evil
Der "e ,io,ations of law. The Controller con-
asnee the expenditure was unlawful, and
sn0' ~ ' Police Commissioners are liable 10 IN
bat '"e -, authorizing the expenditure. Yes
Hctnen' Az able to stir up President Roose-
pscA' .,cn pitch that the latter offered TO
sell r,tch with pistols or any other weapons
tgn' ~" .o,act The Controller said Joculariy
ms" a.,rg with pistols or any other weapons
tSs' H'- ~ his education when a student In
r1 Uben the connection was at Its height
Ge'man,' threatened to put them both under
s''v they did not stop.
s1es' ,ha day Controller Fitch said that he
La'e' ." lived a challenge from Mr.. Roose-
ssd Nv 80, ~ he did he should ask Fighting
rslt ye' ~ the United States Navy. to be his
30 w. :. "Igghting Bob could not attend, the
ssoho, ..,d he had strapping big Irish
o'n'V" ~,o was an officer in the Regular Army,
= q. folt sure ne cOuiu 6et hi4'
D' uow THE TROUBLE BEGAN.
.,,a,s was started by the reading or
I'VE oninion from the Controllers coun-
bu 10" Deering, sustaining Mr.. Fitch's re-
H. '.rn.it the transfer requested by the Po-
fSa The Controller followed this with
bS chat he had been in communication
assI. cornoration Counsel, who had agreed
VIE y" emit TO test the question Of law In
70 w. lore the courts, as the Controller pro-
ped- .ra,, Objected TO this plan of
A.. business He said that he was
se'"'"s unfamiliar with the case. as he only
s0h's :, ,,,ee of Commissioner Andrews, who
sW's 80 .sreral lifts" with the Controller at
49, po.rd meetings. but he knew enough 10 know
tne ~, ..,,k of catching and prosecuting crimi
.a,s rould be greatly hampered II the transfer
-. delayed. He said the claims OF the poor
..,r,,men who had been spending their own
.,o,sv IN getting evidence. and the poor matrons
-ho had been providing meals for prisoners and
l,., children ought to be settled forthwith. he
Estimated that the Controller was now holding
M the money Justly due to these poor people"
", Fitch replied that II there had been any
~.o,a,ng I'M" the Police Board were primarily re-
.oonsible. st sent you a copy of the record and
.sked Won TO begin proceedings month ago.
Van said that my suggestion was a move in the
,,,sres, Of the criminal classes. and you have
done nothing since"
THE FIGHT IN THE POLICE BOARD.
ut was a move in the interest Of the criminal
.,.sses." declared the president Of the Police
Board. with warmth. Il said SO. and 1t was the
no tar ~
Parker for action"
Yes" replied Controller Fitch, you referred
4 TO Parker and then you got into row with him
md he hasn't had time TO do anything since.
Nov q delay Of one month in getting the money
20 your poor women and policemen Is due to the
wu with Parker In your Board. You might have
txm legal proceedings the next day, as i sug-
psA"
w. Roosevelt glared at the Controller as the
hrs taxed about the "row In the Police Board"
MAuped the table with his fist as though he
stsk ponnding the Controllers bald pate.
WN you want to 90 into outside matters,
a 30 into them too, Mr.. Fitch" Mr.. Roosevelt
Hmed. II can go back to the time when you
~ for Congress on the Republican ticket in my
dxict and tried to beat the candidate OF your
m party for the Assembly. can give you
umgh of it If you want to fight on these out
he issues
I am aware that you are fighter" sneered
b. Fitch. "You have great reputation in that
he" The Controller followed his words with
sarcastic chuckle that seemed to intensity the
nthful state Of Mr. Roosevelt's mind.
You are not a fighter" the latter thundered
You run away from a fight. But" he added. In
voice that trembled with anger. III you want to
sht, Mr.. Fitch. I'll give you all you are looking
what would you fight with. Teddy?" asked
he Controller, apparently intensely amused.
'Rstols?"
Yes" answered Mr.. Roosevelt, in his highest
Eey-"with pistols or any other weapons you
please" AS he spoke he brought down both
lists on the long table with force that made all
he inkstands jump and caused the Mayor to
1t bolt upright in his chair. The Mayor looked
amazed at the length to which things had gone.
THE MAYOR THREATENS ARREST
Come. come, gentlemen" Colonel Strong said
navousy. 'this must stop or I'll have to arrest
~ both"
Corporation Counsel Scott turned toward the
Mayor and said: THAT you have the power to
But Mr.. Roosevelt didn't stop. He banged
away about the Controller and continued TO de-
end the course of the Police Board.
'You" he said, addressing the Controller. "have
frequently voted for similar transfers for the
present Board and for preceding Boards and now
you suddenly raise the question of law when
Keeps poor patrolmen and women who furnish
meals for children out Of their money. No mat
!er how the case may be decided finally, l mean
=, 70 make It clear that your attitude compels this
pie"
.., tnat h not co." returned Mr.. Fitch. you are
rs ..ns now and you are an expert at that:
Of ~. poor people of yours have been kept OUT
ns,rs s.s money because you and your Board
Ia he 1 Ivy violated the law, for which you ought
nsns.. 'nuse'eo and prosecuted. You incurred ex-
law n A. xnen you knew 1t was violation Of the
",crsp T""rs ~ Counsel Scott interrupted the
these n., ~ say: i don't care anything about
Office ~. svna differences, but the dignity OF my
ed v,th 30 oe maintained have not been treat
tha c, .ne consideration due the legal adviser OF
comnsi - n and while hold that Office intend to
aSrssS proper respect and courtesy. | have
inc ~ VII WIN the Controller to join In proceed
admit =, sess a point Of law raised by him. which l
passed - - apparently we'll taken, and should be
70 Be ignored '''' '' 1''"' ~ NV ''0'O''
ING At re Mayor sue''e" ''' '0''