The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-23
POLICE MEDAL FoRvALoR.
PHILIP RHINEIAgDER's BoNUs FOE
BLUEOOAT BRAVERf,

to the moat Deserving
sioner nIoas's InvestiEation or tho Might
stick Results IN sohno Expert Testimony.
The Police Board accepted yesterday a propo-
sition Of Philip Rhinelander to give to the
force a medal for bravery akin to tho Bennett
medal in he Fire Departont. The medal is to
bo known ss the "Rhinela ndcr medal of vHlor."
1t will DO OF gold. Of the shape Of plain Gross
with tho raised figure Of a policeman in an oval
wreath. Once a yoir. on p rado d y, tho
M yor, or ono of the Police Commissioners,
will give 1t o he policeman who has mo I dis
ingui.hed himself by personal bravery in the
preceding twclvomonth.
The only condition made by tho giver is that
the recipient shall have performed an act Of
exceptional valor at the pcril of his own life
and showing a high order OF intelligence" Tho
Police Commi Toner aru to pick out tho man.
but IL they can not agree. the Mayor shall have
the decidi g vote. Should no policeman have
distinguished himself enough 1 any one year
to de erve the medal, mono shall be give,.
Mr.. Rhinelandcr wrote that 1t was 'the ear
nest desire Of the donor that this medal shall
BIO awarded in the spirit In which it is present.
Cd to the department" Tho board assured
him Of its appreciation and of tho gratitude of
the department.
The night stick came up for o hearing. Pres
ident Moss brought It up In the following re o.
luton:
Resolved, That the use Of the night stick DO
discontinued, except on such posts as may BIO
DESIGNATED by the Chief Of Police"
Mr.. Moss said that he had been misunder.
stood. He wished to testify to his full appre-
citation Of the good qualities Of the police force,
and he was anxious 10 get for 1t the good will
of the people.
"One Of tho most unpleasant habits Of police
men," he said. rs that of constantly twirling
their night sticks on their thumbs. 1t makes a
bad impression on q stranger to sec q big police
man twirling what must look to him like a cart
rung by a leathern thong, and the belief prevails
that those who twirl will use the club, too. on
slight provocation. Now. there is a reason for this
twirling. The night stick is heavy and uncom-
Portable to carry In the belt, l am told. 1t is
easier to carry In the hand. So carried. when
some sudden emergency arises, 1t comes down
upon a head easier than II it sat in its socket.
thlh IT vas there the man would have time to
BY Mr.. Moss's request the three sticks" of
the long night stick Of yollow locust, the day
and the he 4; sho5 s.. but ati SPsphatio Billy" Mr.. Moss
air with it., that the night stick is less danger.
est plea for It is that to take It from IL a poiice.
man is to rob him of his defence. l think my
btll IuuU lD0 EDScNOOu bIlCh SlTlkCS u nATUPT
blow, but 1t stays in the belt. 1t can't be
t tSd led This picking up the locust, stays in
Commissioners Andrews suggested that a rule
might be made to fit the case, but Mr.. Moss said
that, no rule would work. There was ons now
hand to hand. Mi. Andrews was examinina
the day stick when the policeman detailed to
his office. Edward Moran who stood behind
ut is no good. It breaks right here" point
ing, to the turned handle. zone heavy blow
| md H. anan WIGHT off "
One minute said Mr.. Andrews. Here is
expert testimony from a man who has car.
against him. Tell i us about It, Moran" Charge
Yes" said MIR, Moss, tell us why the men
TT isn't the stick" said Policeman Moran,
ITS the belt they don't like. 1t says with the
club in it, and wears out the uniform SO a man
wrong, The night stick. is all right. There
is no stick like i to do duty with. Crooks are
mS MIR. ". Andre Ss sna app nnSn eay'na1 Geeod for you,
M Sfs xo slRSat for Ss i ziSHhf fit Il 1 'aid he ssid said the
stick and it lon! hurt IL. them ,.d near as ,;t much th;! as
p 1af Z 1a'n aisda # 'shf to Se tSe w stisR cf i resew seisi.
There's spring. in the locust, never heard Of
a man getting killed IL With it, .,,+ t.. .o.,ouu
would some!imes consul, with their men: PER:
testimony that it does hurt. But | have a
Pots2hn eip @ nHnG abo1,s IN th fsis nish It s the eq perba ds0f
may be dead in three months. l got this letter
The President produced an anonymous letter
advising him to clay low" in the matter of the
Who are you, anyhow" tho letter went on.
SAY, what you don't know would make a big
book; You are a hcaut. I you'd sign my auto:
Sea aRnhe Sl1 n SO I a rd Rnedient mniass ! gon Il iIn To me
out. y PATROLMAN.
up: ST., suppose you were taking time by
l tho fnrnlnRH n Nunn 4 ali .tIn YtnIf
stick for fear you might become too fresh your.
self some night when you are an cx.Commis.
sioner and get a taste OF 1t. You arc a hairy
"Yo', don't suppose, now, Mr.. President
they would take you by the forelock, do your
MI !;r Moss, who Is very paid. laughed. ..,.
Chief McCullagh had como up to take q hand
in the discussion. Tho board asked what he
my. experience is said the Chief, that it is
2 ,srs useful son WEAPON when jRdif;i i admnis,
ist me show YOU" The Gihief, Using iasI Patroi hSM;
W s1asf he as could "a 'drsdi do %ith a pr nisSt Sick K and atiG ha% It
was useless at close quarters. Mr., Andrews
said that the criticism made in the board was
responded that it was a violation Of rule 49,.
Yes, and more than half the force violates
I"Tf they do said tho CHIEF. sit viii be here.
after tho:Captains' fault. Ilold them only yes.
tcIuuy. StDp III pIdcllCc. nc men VIII obey,
II made to do 1t. i think 1t would be wrong to
take the night stick from them. If n man is
not fit to carry a night stick. he Is not TT to be Il
policeman, Tho locust is not 50 dangerous as
represented. Police Surgeon Fluhrcr. who is
one OF tho most eminent surgeons in the city,
tells me that he knows OF no caSe Of a skull
fractured by 1t in his whole experience"
What makes;it SO effective. thcn,' asked
Mr.. Moss.
You can stand a tough off with It," replied
the Chief promptly, this way, He made a
sweep with the long club Mt arms length and
Commissioners Andrews and Smith, who were
within range, ducKcd their heads. The Chief
smiled, He can't get at you with his knife, ;
he said; Then you can cal, assistance with
not: But its ba K Is worse than It's bite"
Mr.. Moss wanted to know why Byrncs abol,
ished tho night stick, The CHIEF shrugged his
shoulders; he couldn't tell, No. doubt MIR.
back.
1T, was. when n policeman was snndbagged
and killed in tho Twenty-frst precinct he
said. THAT. night whom tho men marched on.
with their night sticks again they struck terror
Chief" said Mr.. Moss. tho sentiment Is
against my resolution. VIII you engage to
make tho men carry their sticks I'm their bclta