The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-04
NO "oPEN oITF." SAYS YoRk.
Ne GAMBLING. No Policy PlayinE, No Politics
on the Force-Merit TO 30 Rewarded.

Ne Gambling. No Policy Playing, No Politics
on the Force-Merit TO Ne Rewarded.
All the commanding police officers of tho
enlarged city met yesterday in Mulberry street to
make the acquaintance Of the board and of each
other. They were much alike as to uniform,
except for tho gray ''sparrow-cop" coat, and
the shoulder straps Of the Brooklyn policemen,
but the men Of Manhattan were by far the best
looking lot. Even the Brooklyn cops envied
them. When the brief ceremonies wero over,
q few of them spoke earnestly to Chief McCul.
lagh, who, in turn, held a whispered confer
ence with the commissioners President York
nodded and tho Chief turned to the Captains
and said:
1.-The board gives mo permission to tell you
that you may take of your shoulder straps. you
men Of Brooklyn. / hope you are satisfied"
The room rang with thunders Of applause.
Immediately a dozen penknives came out and
as many coats were stripped of the distinguish
ing straps. Inspector Rhodes, who is in charge
of the borough of Queens. set the example.
The jubilant Brooklynites gave the straps away
to their brothers Of Manhattan as souvenirs
and became like them. Few Captains {. the
old city went home without tho shoulder straps
of a Brooklyn cop in his pocket.
Tho meeting had been called for 12 O'Clock.
but 1t was not held until 8 because President
York had to attend q meeting of the Health
Board. He found upon his return the trial room
filled with q gold-bandcd throng. Capt. Wes-
tervelt, who wears his arm In a sling, was the
only officer present In citizens clothing. All
the rest wore blue and gold. The Deputies and
Inspectors sat within the horseshoe with the
board. In the body of the room tho Brooklyn
men had the front seas. Including all. sew
%enty.one Captains answered roll call, thirty.
eight from Manhattan, thirty from Brooklyn,
from DnnanQ md fanf RIobn fran, Dt.l
mond. Last of oil was called the name of Capt.
Stephenson. who was reinstated on New Years
Eve after a three-years'. fight in the courts,
and was assigned yesterday to duty. AS he
answered here" the whole New York delega-
ton npplauded and stamped It's feet. and tho
Brooklyn men took 1t up.
missioners entered. and CHEZ g Mccu ihs SV set
about introducing the Commissi 9ners 10 the
beeoms tho TSe Ssief fa mai np1 n nad Time sRs yet Ssm to
hers OF the board, and he COMPOUNDED Commits
sioners Hamilton and sexton in the introduce
"Ah, yes" said the Chief, who Is rather
more 1T home marching upon a mob than doing
ing. The Commissioners, all but Mr.. York.
sat during the presentation, while the police
President York said that he had asked the
privilege Of meeting the commanding officers
s9 that they might learn TO know each other.
me o2arl desired 10 bring about the very best
That il cannot do" added he. "without hay.
get that We must know you first. ON behalf OF
the board and In my own behalf | want 10 say
70 S9n now That no politics viii be permitted in
the Police department, as lar as the board is
concerned, The only test will be honesty and
fitness. We expect that every commanding
law found upon tho statute books and every
rule made Tor tho management of the Police !
Laws must. be rigldly enforced. For failure TO
90 SO you men will DO hold responsible. Pref
merit. Political consideration wifi not he ner i
mitted to weigh. We believe that the d(sci.
pine OF the iorce can be somewhat Improved. |
you here TO tell you so and TO x / that help. III
We cannot get H., 1 tell you now very frankly
who can and will give us the help we ask. We
want your conadencei We give you ours. You
can depend on 1t that there viii b DO fsYoritis%