New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-25
CONLIN SAVED FROM TRIAL.
MESSRS PARKER AND GRANT VOTE
AGAINST CHARGES.
THEY WERE PRESENTED RY ME-. ANDREWS AND
GREW OFT OF THE CHIEFS RECENT CRITI-
crsM OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

CrsM OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Chief OF Police Conn MAS Yesterday saved from
trial on charges OF Decentralization ny tho votes
Of commissioners Grant and Parker. At the Board
meeting yesterday Commissioner Andrews presented
charges against tho Chief. which alleged that he
did on about February 49, 1884, publicly crticise
and condemn the official conduct Of his superior
officers the members OF the Board OF Police Com
missioners OF said department and did declare
openly and publicly that they the members OF the
said Board OF Police Commissioners inter
fering with him. the Chicf OF Policc in the due
performance OF his duties su,h Chief or Police
The further allegation made that when tho
president of the Board inquired OF the Chico
whether or not he had uttered the criticism al
legged. the Chief did contuma ciously and contrary
to his duty officer Of this Department refuse
to state whether rot he had so used such
words or statements
The Chiefs criticism OF the Board was made at
the time he refused TO obey the individual order
o; Mr.. Andrews to put in operation the new Ber-
tillon system for Identifying criminals and the
photograph gallery at Headquarters Chief Conlin
in statement TO a reporter declared that the
chickering's OF the Commissioners had a bad effect
the discipline of the Department.
After Chief Clerk Kip had read the charges
Commissioner Andrews said: That resolution was
prepared yesterday. ! prepared TO act the
matter"
Il have not seen H." said Colonel Grant. but
move that it he filed"
And discuss i, later" asked President Roose-
Welt.
NO" said Colonel Grant.
Il should explain" said Commissioner Roosevelt.
that tho charge were drawn up by the advice and
assistance Of the Corporation Counsel. and thai
they were submitted to thc Mayor who approved"
If you want look over The charges Colonel
Grant" said the president we could act later"
"Oh. no." replied Colonel Grant Il want to kill il.
l am ready TO act and withdraw my motion TO file
the charges"
Commissioner Andrews then moved that the
charges be approved and served the Chief
Mcssrs. Roosevelt. and Andrews voted aye and
Messrs. Grant and Parker no. The tie vote
suited In the motion beirg lost Mr. Roosevelt gave
notice that he would bring the charges up again.
Discussion over the Bertlion system. which was
the cause OF the Chiefs offending remarks, fol-
lowed. Messrs. Rocsevel and Andrews wanted TO
put the system in operation once. under the d.
rect control OF the Board. The president said he
did not believe Captain O'Bren. of the Detective
Bureau should have charge of il. as the Captain
was opposed 10 the system. M. Andrews offered
resolution that the Ber;ilIon system and photo
graph gallery be put in operation under the control
Of the Board until otherwise ordered. Commission
er Grant SAID ne ana not care 10 tote
He has not got TO vote" remarked Commissioner
Andrews
Commissioner Parker also voted against the res
only had TO vote. Colonel. If commissioner Parker
made you. l can't make YOU
chief Conn stole MAJ ch OF the commissioners
yesterday afternoon and By his action placed cap
tain o Brien virtually In control Of the bureau.
This is lust what Commissioners Roosevelt and
Andrews We're fighting against. The chief trans
fcrred the STAFF OF policemen who have been doing
duty in the new bureau to the detective office
under Captain O Brien. They were originally de-
tailed in the bureau by Chief Conlin at the re-
quest of Commissioner Andrews They were work
ing under the direction Of chief Surgeon COOK: 10y
the action Of Chief Conlin in transferring them
to the Detective once they will be under Capl am
O'Brien The latter directed them 10 continue their
work i'm the bureau. 1t is now said that Chlcf ton-
lin will order all criminals to be photographed III
the now gallery and measured under the beitiIion
system The Chief declined to say anything ABOUT
his Intentions II is understood however, that not
withstanding the fact thai the resolution 70 pun
;h. new bureau in operation was lost 'hlri ON
I'm viii go ahead and put it in use. because the tac
remains that the new system has been adopted ~
Board action and is ready for use. Inc thft
clone has the power to make details, ana the 'oih-
missioners cannot interfere with the men whom ne
has ~ ced in the bureau Anyway, they are the
"a ne men picked out by Commissioner Andrews,
but they will be under Captain . Brlen oIncts
now Dr. Cook who has been In charge OF the o.
fee will have no more TO say about T. ,
II was expected that eX-Cartain Pickett wouiu
nresent 10 the Board application 10 he relnstal-
ed but he did not appear: ..o..
After the meeting Mr.. Parker made statement
IN favor of putting the Bertiilon system ana pio-
,orranh gallery in the hands OF the mead OF me
Detective Bureau.