New-York tribune., 1899-06-18
THE PARK POLICE.

II IS rather pleasant and encouraging to hear
the head Of one branch OF Tammany govern
ment condemnlng the manner In which another
branch performs important duties toward the
nublic and we feel disposed to offer Mr. Clau-
sen. president Of the Park Department, the
assurance Of our sympathy In his endeavor to
improve the discipline and efficiency of that
part of the police force which comes under his
particular observation and Is theoretically to
some extent under his control. Mr.. Clausen
complains that the park police service Is bad
and growing worse, chiefly for the reason that
when member Of the force detailed 30 that
service has been reported by the Park Com
missioners for neglect or Incompetence the 10
lice Board Is not required to put another man
In his place, but is allowed to do as 1t pleases
about the matter. The original fault, in Mr..
Clausens opinion, lies with the charter pro
vision relating to this subject, which should
have been mandatory instead of permissive.
Ii seems to us that the point is we'll taken.
The Park Board Is responsible for the promo
ton OF public comfort and convenience in the
parks, and 1t should have sufficient power to
compel obedience to regulations essential to
that object The old system of a separately
organized and governed park police had some
strong advocates among intelligent citizens,
though we think the general opinion was that
II was wisely abolished by the charter. But
that instrument should not have left the Park
Commissioners with so meagre a measure OF
authority over the police detailed to execute
their orders as that TO which Mr.. Clausen In
vltes public and official attention. We do not
! think he exaggcrates the mischief which he
! attributes to this source. 1t Is fact that the
park policeman, as a rule Is not alert, helpful
! and courteous, but slouchy. ndolent and over
| bearing Probably he is no worse in these re
spccts than his average brother Of the streets
| for the generalization Of the force has gone
far; but II the desire Of the Park Board TO get
rid Of an unfit man had TO be granted by the
| Police Department there would be probability
of improvement in the park service.
This is not Mr.. Clausen's first experience as
a Park missioner. During previous ten
ure Of that office he vas conspicuously identi
fed with the obstinate and irrational effort Il
| prevent the construction of a promenade oil
the river side OF the Harlem Speedway, anC
his conduct throughout that controversy sub
tected him TO well-deserved reprobaton. No
was that the only instance OF bad judgmen
and an oppressive spirit on his part. But h
| did evince at that time an ingenuity and per
slstence which might be Of great service Il
the city II applied to n good end. We hop
that he is now prepared TO devote those quail
ties with equal energy TO the cultivation o
discipline and efficiency among the policemen
detailed to the parks. He seems TO be appre
hensive that no marked improvement can b
effected until the law Is changed, but our opin
ion is that he would hnd It quite worth Will
to keep on telling the truth about the lamen
table offences which the charter authorizes tn
Police Department to tolerate In spite Of hi