The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-20
THE BICYCLE POLICE.
Theodore Rooseven's Tribute to the
New York Squad.

Nv" hosn SYu"u.
Hon. Theodore Roose, cit has paper in
the October, Century on "The Roll of
Honor OF the New York POLICE" Mr..
Roosevelt says: 'frt
The members Of tho bicycle squad
which was estabIishcd soon after we took
Office, soon grew to show not only extra
ordinary proficiency on the wheel but ex-
traordinary daring. They frequently
stopped runaways. wheeling alongside of
them. grasping the horses while going at
full speed; and what was even more re-
markable, they managed not only to
overtake. but to jump into the vehicle
and capture on two or three different
occasions, men VINO were guilty Of reck-
less driving, and who fought violently in
resisting arrest. They were picked men,
being young and active, and any feat Of
daring which could be accomplished on
the wheel they were certain to accom-
plish.
Three OF the best riders Of the bicycle
squad, whose names and records happen
ethnic strains most strongly represented
In the New York police force, being re-
spectively of native American, German
and Irish--or more accurately. in this par
ticular case of mixed Scotch and Irish
parentage.
power, and he was able to stop eauh of
the many runaways no tackled without
losing his wheel. Choosing his time. he
would get alongside the horse. and seize
the bit In his left hand. keeping his right
on the crossnar Of the wheel. BY degrees
never failed to stop It, and never lost his
wheel. He also never failed to overtake
any "scorcher. although many Of these
were professional riders who deliberately
violated the law TO SEQ ii they could get
away from MIN; for tho wheelnon soon
get to know the officers whose beats they
cross
The Yankee though tall, powerful
man and very good rider. scarcely came
up 10 the German In either respect he
possessed exceptional ability, however, as
we'll as exceptional nerve and coolness
and no won his promotion first. lie
stopped about as many runaways; but
where the horse wss really panic stricken
he usually had to turn his wheel looss
getting firm grip on the horse's reips
and then kicking his wheel SO that It
would fall ont OF the way Of injury from
the wagon. On one occasion be had a
fight with a drunken and reckless driver
who was urging to top speed u very
spirited horse. He first got hold of the
horse, whereupon the driver lashed both
him and the beast. and the animal
already mad with terror, could not be
stopped. The officer had of course kick oil
away his wheel at the begipning, and
after being dragged along for some dis
tance he Let 60 the beast, and made
grab Mt the wagon. The driver
hit him with his whip, but he
managed to get In, and after
n vigorous tussle overcams his man, and
disposed Of him by getting him down and
sitting on him. This left his hands free
for the reins. BY degrees he got the
horse under control, and drove the wagon
around IN the station house. still sitting
on his victim. II jounced up and down
OIL him to keep him quiet when he
turned ugly" he remarked TO me paren-
tbetically. Having disposed Of the wagon,
he took the man round to the court. and
on the way the latter suddenly sprang
on him. and tried to throttle him. Con
vinced at last that patience had ceased to
be virtue, he quietcd his assailant with
smash on the head that took all the
fight out Of him until he was brought be-
fore the judge and fined. Like the ether
bicycle cops" this officer made a num-
Ter of arrests of criminals, such as
thieves, highwaymcn, and the like. in
addition to his natural prey scorchers,
runawayS and the like.
The third member of the trio, tall,
ainewy man with flaming rod hnir, which
rather added to the terror he inspired in
evil-doers, was usually stationed in a
rather tough part Of the city, where there
was q tendency to crimes OF violence, and
incidentally an occasional desire 70
'harass whcelmen. The officer was as
good OF his wheel as on il, and he
speedily established rerfect order on his
beat. being always willing to take
chances" In getting his man, He was
no rcspector of persons, and when it be.
came his duty to arrest a wealthy man for
rersistently refusing to have his carriage
lamps lighted after nightfall, he brought
him In with the same Indifference that he
displayed in arresting street corner