New-York tribune., 1897-08-05
CAPTAIN O'BRIEN CENsURED
COLONEL SMITH VOTES WITH MEssRs'
MOSS AND ANDREWS.
rov>ur,EEs REVISED IN SUCH WAY AS IN
r,c.rr THAT THE coNLIN CHARGES MAY
RE pIrsuED-THE CHIEF RETURNS AND

$780,, caors. Moore Smith, the new Police
Commissioner made II clear at yesterdays meet
inc Of the Board that his sympaihies lie with
president Mess and Commissioner Andrews This
mac in exact accordance with the statement pup
,,shed in The Tribune three days ago. TO the enect
tba, the three Commissioners at their conference
on Monday arrived at perfect unders'ahuihs
with each other as to the policy to be hereafter
pursued in the administration Of the Department
Colonel Smith consistently voted with Messrs
Moss and Andrews yesterday Moreover, IN the
course of the proceedings he intimated thar ne
was opposed to hanging up promotions fur'her'
which is taken to mean that Commissioner Farher
in future with a majority against him. VIII pe
unable 10 continue his obstructive tactics Inc
deadlock that has for so long prevailed when ques-
t,ons of disciplinng members OF the force have
arisen was broken by Colonel Smith voting yes
terday with Messrs Moss and Andrews on mo-
tion to censure Acting Inspector OBrien'
MR.. MOss's COMPLAINT.
President Moss brought forward a complaint
against the Detective Bureau. ana puohciy
charged that the method OF doing business IN that
department was oveIbearing. high-handed ana
autocratic He also accused Captain o Brien OF
inciyility TO members of the Board and OF ignoring
his own request for report upon certain com
plant that had been made against the Bureau.
The complaint in question was made 10 MI. MOSS
BY a detective named Peterson, OF the Ihei De-
tective Agency OF Denver. The detective IL
swindler named Fagenbush. who had been indicted
at Denver COL but who had fed TO this city. Cap
tain 'Brien II is said refused to make the arrest
because the Denver police had not officially asked
to have the man seized Peterson finally secured
the capture OF the fugitive by his own ehorts'
President Moss also pointed OUT that some one in
the Detective Bureau had criticised him and his
views upon the conduct of the Bureau. Il must.
said Mr. Moss. 'dsapprove of certain actions OF
Captain O'Brien. especially with regard TO the
Peterson matter. | have investigated the COM
plant and have heard Mr.. Petersons story. De-
tective McCaulev present in my office and
heard the complaint. He admitted all the facts
and did not contradict them. l wanted to find out
what Captain O. Brien had to say about the matter.
but he ignored entirely. and a report came TO
mo. through the -hief His report contained a
very pronounced criticism Of my views in this mat
ter. His method Of doing things in the Detective
Bureau has been characteristic of his career
which has led to friction with other departments.
Many complaints have come to about the ways
OF doing business In his office.
IMPOLITELY TREATED
There is another thing The complainant Mr.
Peterson. impolitely treated In OBriens office
He could not see O'Brion. and was kept polishing
furniture in the outer office. When the prisoner
>7as arrested they refused TO let Mr.. Peterson see
wnat effects were taken from him. This swinder
was actually carrying his fraudulent operations
In this city for four days with O'Bren's knowledge
but ne would not arrest the man. When he was
finally apprehended the proof OF his guilt found
upon him."
The president then offered a resolution the
effect that the action OF Captain OBrien in the
Peterson be dsapproved.
A long discussion followed wherein Mr.. Parker
defended the course taken by O. Bren. Reading
extracts from a report made by the latter. Mr..
Parker showed that Peterson had warrant and
nothing TO show any authority for ordering the
n fVra tho tlples
he communicated with the Denver police. but this
Peterson did not want done. because the man had
a friend on the Denver force Consequently he
vas afraid TO trust the police of that city There
upon O Brien refused 10 act
Colonel Smith twice tried to put end
to the discussion. Mr.. Parker insisted. however.
on discussing the case. saying that when II came
10 condemnng the head Of the Detective Bureau
a discussion was necessary. Commissioner An
the Detective Bureau. as wei as impolteness
President Moss finally moved this resolution: on
Bureau OF Detectives in taking steps FOR tne appre
hensiop Q: one Charles W Fasenbush after being
with Messrs. Moss and Andrews for its adoption,
Other intelligent and discerning people in this city
viii doubtless agree with many OF the stTiStuaes
o upon me b cy ha bave
gone undetected during Captain O'Briens incum-
Workers TO believe that the department is not man.
aged with great efficiency.
COLONEL SMITH URGES PROMOTIONS
After some routine business Colonel Smith looked
at the slate and said: Il there four vacant
inspectorships here. l would like know why
that is and why cannot fill them
Ii was explained to Colonel Smith that examna-
ons would have be held first. and that the Civil
Service rules and regulations must also be revised
Colonel Smith wanted go right ahead. He said;
vote }hs morning m TO s make ea
tains am anxious TO M, tnese places ana get
the Roud n s9 the hI pesden and Mr. An
drews. , ~.
missioners Andrews and Parker, who were appoint
ed committee 10 revise the Civil Service regula-
rules as revised examina on for merit will be held
sioners viii determine the fitness OF the applicant
The rules were adopted. The new rules were sent
TO Albany for the approval of the State Civil Service
Board. AS this is done examination will
be ordered.
COMMITTEES REVISED
Just before the meeting concluded President Moss
announced a rearrangement of the standing COM
mittees Of the Board. Commissioner Parker
Rules and Discipline. which he has been On. The
nI% Messrs sff Parker M snd Andrews
Elections-Messrs. Smith, Parker and Andrews
Repairs and Supplies-Messrs Smith and An
Rules and Discipline-Messre. Andrews and Smith.
made chairman Of the Committee on, Elections and
Repairs and sHppSS whs NJ AnGreWs becomes
Mr. Parker serves no important committee now.
except that Elections.
The most significant change is the removal Of
Commissioner Parker from the Committee
Rules and Discipline. Colonel Grant and Mr..
Parker were the former members OF this COM
mittee Mr. Andrews who wanted 10 try Chief
Conlin. becomes chairman and II he and
Colonel Smith can agree the Conlin charges
there is every likelihood that the Chief Will have
10 stand tria1.
THE only reason can for the reconstruction
Of the committees" said Mr.. Parker. after the
meeting rs that they wanted to far
as possible from Colonel Smith so that I could
not have any close communication with him"
THE CHIEF RETURNS.
Chief Conlin returned from the Catskills where
ne has been spending his vacation. Tuesday
night He did not. however. appear at Head
quarters Yesterday. but will resume his duties o.