New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-09
THE PROPOSED POLICE BILL
SENATOR PLATT APPROVES MIR. LATTER
BACHS DRAFT.
ITS APoLoGIsrs SAY IT FOLLOWS THE LINES OF
THE GREATER NETWORK CHARTER POLICE
PRovIsIoNs-How IT Is VIEWED
AT HEADQUARTERS.

Senator Piatt and President Lauterbach OF the
Republican County Committee had another inter
view last evening regarding the Greater New-1 orK
Police bill which the latter has prepared and WHICH
is he introduced AT Albany by the middle OF the
week II was understood that with some slight
changes In phraseology which Senator Platt sug-
gested the bill as Mr.. Lauterbach drew II has the
Senator's approval. and that. II necessary. IT would
be made party measure.
Mr.. Lauterbach said yesterday that he has. as
far as possible followed the lines OF the chapters
OF the Greater New-York charter which deal with
the Police Department OF the new metropolis. 1t
would. Of course. dispense with the present Police
Boards as they exist in the Greater New-fork Ter
ritory he said. and vest their powers In a bipart-
san commission OF four members. TO be appointed
by the Governor. 10 hold Office until their success
sors have been named by the Mayor OF Greater
NewYork. who is TO be elected next November.
In the draft which is ready to go to Albany the
Commissioners directed to reorganize and con-
solidate in body the police OF New-York City,
BROOKLYN Long Island City and Richmond County.
They empowered to appoint Chief OF Police
and three Deputy Chiefs, six inspectors and as
many captains. sergeants and other officers IRE
provided for In the Greater Ncw-York charter
According to reports in circulation last evening. the
Governor would be expected TO appoint. under
this bill. the four Commissioners a New-York
organization Republican and Tammany Hall
Democrat. a Brooklyn Republican OF the organiza-
tion stripe and Long Island City Democrat IN
affiation with Mayor Gleasons organization.
Apologists for the plan said yesterday that It
only anticipated the breaking up OF the New-York
Police Board. which would come shortly when Pres
ident Roosevelt and Colonel Grant retired accept
Office under President McKiney's Adminstra ton
Mr.. Roosevelt TO be Assistant Secretary OF the
Interior and Colonel Grant Assistant Secretary Of
War Mr.. Lauterbach said rather facetiously that
the bill he had drawn would relieve Mayor Strong
Of the burdensome responsibility OF appointing an
MI
order and discipline restored to the New
York police force and the measure under discus
sion afforded the only safe and certain solution Of
the trouble.
ouarfs yeay oTe the cfsed q rpor thai he
Legislature contemplated oustrg the present Police
Commissioners. The opinion prevailed at Head
quarters that a crisis was at hand IN the De-
partment ana that II would 10, he long before the
present Board put ont Such a thing would
both benefit and please certain officials Of the De-
parment. Among them are Acting Inspectors Nc:
Allare. McCullagh and Brooks have been doing the
work OF inspectors for about lwo years while draw,
probably never agree upon the promotion II any o.
the acting inspectors. or at least upon that OF Nc
The present status Of affairs undoubtedly tends
demoralize the force in general Acting inspectors,
for instance do not exercise the rigid authority they
cupy. Holding only the same rank as the captains
over whom they have supervision. they do not feel
entitled 10 pose az stern dsclplnarians They feel
them should they eventually not be promoeI ETr b..
returned TO precinct duty. In the same manner a
number OF sergeants are ruling precincts acln.:
captains with only A sergeants salary and TO assuT-
that promotion awaits. This state OF affairs
AS to the prospects Of the deadlock in the Police
Board being broken those who have attended the
Board meetings and observed closely the policy the
have been pursuing know that such thing : mp0s
sibe. The personal feeling of bitterness existing is
TOO strong for Cancellation The smallest matter Of
police business tina; comes up for discussion al the
Board meeting IL sufficient 70 create dlssenson
among the antagOnistic Commissioners.
Asked for his opinion upon the proposed eglsll-
ton. President Roosevelt said yesterday that by
all means the city should retain the control OF its
police. The only legislation that is necessary" he
Mayor the same power Of removal throughout his
term thar he already has for the first six months
that he is In Office. would like 10 explain this
time that both Mr. Andrews and myself and
have always beer willing TO hand in our resigna-
tions whenever the Mayor desires them. We have
remained in Office simply because considered II
duty 10 the city stay
Commissioners Parker refused 10 discuss the mat
ter in any
Chief Conlin would not discuss the contemplated
legislation yesterday.
Mayor Strong when asked yesterday what he
thought OF the scheme, said that he had
ments whatever 10 make.
Rumors were revived yesterday that ex-Chef
Of Police Thomas Byrnes would be recalled from
private life and would be charged with the duty
Of reorGanizing the metropolitan police force 10
be created by the bill which Senator Plat and his
advisers have under consideration. Having
solidated the various departments within the
Greater New-YOrk and placed them effective
working basis II said that Mr.. Byrnes would
be continued Indefinitely as the head Of the ANAL
intendent Of the police of the metropolitan dis
trict.