New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-11
POLICE BOARD TO BLAME.
MOSS REVEALS REAL CAUSE OF DE-
MOBILIZATION IN THE FORCE.
eRAvg OFFENCES OF PATRoLMEN PUN
1sHEp BY SLIGHT FINES OR REPRI-
MANps. WHILE HONEST OFFICERS
ARE SYSTEMATICALLY
RSECUTEn


Frank Moss yesterday carried out his promise
- prove 10 the Mazet Investigating Committee
hevond the shadow Of a doubt that the RESPONSE
rlitv for the disgracefully demoralized condition
~ the police force rests upon the shoulders OF
che Police Commissioners themselves He proved
:, from the records OF the trials Of patrolmen
Who had violated the police rules. and the reve-
lstion was startling one 1t seems evident tina,
che rank and file has already nearly got beyond
the power Of the Commissioners to curb it. and
n II goes on much longer such a mass of dam
Ming evidence will probably have accumulated
against the high officials OF the police that they
would not dare TO enforce discipline even
- they wanted TO, against men who, IL driven
from the force. could give evidence against their
superiors which might easily send them 70
state prison.
II there is any more dangerous creature than
mailman 70 encounter in the street 1t is
policeman armed with club and the authority
OF the law. and crazy with drink. Former
Boards made dismissal the penalty for drunken
ness but Mr. Moss showed that this Board has
made no dismssals for intoxicatiop unless the
case was coupled with other serious charges
There are a great many cases on record where
triHing fines have been inflicted for this grave
offence even when It was coupled with charges
o. using vile and abusive language 10 citizens
especially to women.
FINES FOR GROSS CRIMES
T. was also shown that many patrolmen escape
with q tr1Aing fine or with mere reprinand for
committing crimes conviction for which would
send an ordinary citizen 70 prison for long
term.
The number Of charges OF INSTRUMENTATION and
gross insolence to superior officers which have
been made against patrolmen since Devery
headed the force IS positively bewildering. II
seems impossible that any body Of men could
maintain It's organization when It's officers are
neid in such slight regard This state Of affairs
fully bears out the Oft repeated charge that it
Is the Tammany district leaders who really
boss" the force and not it's alleged captains.
IN addition 10 this II made clear that the
honest patrolnlan who will not wink at VIOLA
tons q the law a. the bid Of Tammany's heel
srs is kept constantly in hot water, is moved
from one precinct 70 another arbitrarily and on
short notice and his life is made as uncom-
Portable as possible The amazing number 81
800 transfers Of patrolmen have been made be-
tween the time Deverv took hold and the first %
last June.
ONE BRAVE PATROLMAN.
One policeman was found brave enough to go
OF the stand and reveal little Of this petty per-
secution He fully expects 70 be singled out for
more punishment for his ternerity. His treat
ment by the Commissioners will be watched by
the public It has not been noticed that any
policeman who has refused 70 tell the truth 70
the Mazet Committee has suffered aught at their
hands for his contuuacious conduct.
Mr. Moss had shown before that disreputable
characters flock here from all parts Of the world
attracted by the citys reputation for wide
openness'; he showed yesterday that New-York
also bears the pleasant reputation OF being
model town for the hiding OF stolen goods, and
that large quantities OF thieves plumber are for
warded here regularly TO be safely disposed of
in pawnshops and fences"
Part Of the day was consumed IN demonstrat-
ing that opium "1oints" are increasing rapidly
in number here. and, as in the Of the pool
rooms. easy Of access. both 20 young and
old Their proprietors speak OF payments to the
police for protection as a matter Of course well
understood by their patrons, who need not fear
raids so long as the tax is regularly turned in.