The times., 1897-08-14

True to the prediction that at the close
of the official investigation the police
department would receive a big shaking
up Commissioner Wight yesterday an
nounced large number OF changes in the
force. Sergeants Were reduced and pri-
Yates made sergeants. Twenty priyates
of the second class We're reduced 10 class
one, and similar number in class one pro-
mo ted.
All the changes were made upon the
recommendation of Major Moore, as were
those among the higher officials published
about week ago. The general reason
given for the reductions in rank and pay
was the decreased efficiency Of the men
beciuse OF advancing age.
1t is stated by the authorities that the
changes of yesterday constitute all that
are to be made in the personnel of the
police department, and that the roster for
sore time 1T least viii stand as IL now is.
The official order as made out by Major
Moore and approved by Commissioner Wight
reads
sergt. J. b. Robey and Sergt. II, C.
Volkman to he reduced to priyates of class
one.
sergt Robert johnson reduced to class
Two.
Pnvates c. t Wright, j. A. williams.
and James Conlon, promoted to be sergeants
Tie following privates of class one are
promoted to class two:
Edward Anderson, j ID Lightfoot,
Patrick o'Brien, f. p. Smith, r. T.
Payne, Thomas Judge, Robert Froufe.
A. L. Carson, George Hill, C. A Stevens,
Ed Archinbald, John Sullivan, Charles
Cowne, ]. j. Whalen, S. 3. Kelly, Owen
Cooney. C.. A Carlson, John Maher, +. c.
Nebb.
Private N r. German TO be relieved
from his assignment in the detection and
prevention of crime.
The following privates of class two are
reduced to class one.
j s. L5ane, J. E. Lvddane, Dennis
Loftus, Patrick Madigan, II. f. Marks.
l. b. Anderson, Thomas Britt, q. w
Blandrord Charles Farquhar, NJ L. Fisher,
H. II. Fisher, j. 7 Hinkle, John Hart,
Elias OIvel, L. j. H. Rinek, c. NJ. Sullivan,
I'D. Turnburke, W. II. West and John T,
Howe.
The reductions viii take place on the
3Ist inst, and the promotions on Septem-
ber l.
The publication of these changes, a fun
account of which appeared only in The
Evening Times yesterday, was the first
intimation that the men concerned had Of
what was happening Many of those re-
duced are much worked up over the affair
and charges OF favoritism are made 10y some
OF the men affected
1t lis alleged that competent men have
been put down while Others of small merit
are promoted in their stead.
The promotion from private OF the second
class % ser-r3ntcy makes d comparatively
small difference in pay, the increase being
only So, but tie duties Of the sergeant are
much lighter ana the authority greater.
The pay OF second-class privates is S15
more than that OF the first-class, and il is
from those privates reduced that the most
vigorous protests come.
AS he progressed in his investigation nf
the department, Commissioner Wight came
to realize that one of the chief handicaps
To the efficiency OF the force was the
retention in the service of men whose
ability to do good service was inter
fered with 10y age. Accordingly, some
time ago, he instructed the police sur
geons to make a thorough examination Of
every man on the force and make a re-
port of those whom they deemed too old
or physically incapacitated for active
service.
II was at first intended TO retire the
men who should be thus reported, but
when the lists came in it was found that
the number would be far too great. Not
only was the police fund from which the
pensions are paid too small to stanI the
| retirement of more than two or three
men, but il was judged that the department
itself would he crippled by the withdrawal
OF so many men, who, IL they were not very
active, We're az least experienced. So,
after consultation with Major Moore
Commissioner Wight decided that these
men should be placed in details which
would not be so arduous and receive cor
responding reductions in their pay
This, said Commissioner Wight yesterday
afternoon, was the reason for all the
reductions. The policemen themselves
however, claim that this cannot lie en-
irely so and they point out several cases
where young men have been reduced ap-
parently without reason. II is noticeable,
though perhaps only coincidence, that a,
a large proportion of those who have re-
ceived lower ratings are drivers of patrol
wagons.
With regard to the sergeants reduced,
every one has passed the age limit Two,
Robey and Nolknan, are from the Seventh
precinct, while johnson has been In the
detective bureau. Their reduction in ank
had been decid ed upon several days ago
and Major Moore S plan 70 fill the vacancies
was TO have the lieutenant OF each pre-
dnct submit the name of the man under his
command whom he deemed best fitted
for promotion. Nine names were thus
handed in and out of these nine Ma Sor
Moore, after carefully going over the
merits and claims OF each, selected the
lucky three.
For Wright, who has been acting SER
geant for some time, the promotion is
only one in pay, but Williams and ConIin
Were sccond-class privates-tlre former at
the First precinct. the latter In the Seventh.
They VIII both probably be assigned to
the Seventh precinct in their capacities as
sergeants, to I'll the two vacancies created
there by reductions.
The selections for the new sergeants
are generally considered most excellent.
Charles I. Wright, is fifty-two years of
age. He has been member of the DO
lice force for the past seventeen years,
and, with the exception of brief period
OF less than a year, he has done duty
IN the Fifth precinct, where he VIII con
tinue as sergeant. Since 1892, he has
been private of the Second, but acting
sergeant. He has for a long time been