The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-01
WRECK OF THE BICYCLE SQUAD.
How Politics Has Degraded an Organize
ton Tint Was Once New York's Pride.

ton That Was Once New York's Pride.
When the bicycle squad brings up the tail
end OF the procession 10 the police parade to-
day. to its own great Srief-it used to lead
there is a grim justice in it. though that 10
not the cause OF It's being moved back. The
squad goes to the foot because it is according
to the new tactics. 1t light ride there on its
merits. In the days when it rode at the head
1t was the pride OF the department. Commits
sioper Andrews. who was the father OF 1t. kept
1t up to the top notch OF efficiency. No one
got on the squad who was not crack rider.
The fact had to be demonstrated. He had to
he a picked man in every way informed on or
dinances and the rules of.the road. and fearless
as lion. The story OF the bicycle corps went
all over the world in consequence. From Eu-
rope came eager inquiries: they wanted such
policemen in Paris and Geneva.
There came n change with Tammany. It
came gradually. but when 1t was there every
body knew IT,. The Chief knows 1t to-day.
MANY men and put others in their places. IL
Is not necessary to assume that this was done
Statement ;. in perfect good faith that there was
such cause and that the change was for the
better. The, men were loanng. he says. Their
bicycles held up more side walls thAn police
men. Some o. them had their regulations
badly damaged in Che Knaus murder case.
breeches who hung out in "a saloon in that
neghborhood when they we're supposed to be
on post. They were transferred and others
There has 9es5 sa OF It since
charge of the squad; Sergt. Mccormick. who is
OF bringing $ Wifi punishment upon DELINQUENT
policemen ne will make them stand around"
But the trouble lies deeper than Terror
| yond the grasp OF the Chief. 1t Is the district
leader that has wrecked the bicycle squad. II
| was all right until he discovered in the detail
| have his clients taken care OF. and against that
kind OF pull Mulberry street IL powerless in the
| long run. II was not vary long run in this
| case. The Chief saw no reason why tho dist riot
leaders, wishes should not be respected. SO
| long as the man he had was lust az good"
and he put him in lie did not prove 'JusI as
he was good policeman and good bicyclIst
| nor To any appreciation of these qualities at
| Headquarters. but TO he district leader who
didn't give, hang how no rode or ratroled.
| anxious to make enemies. and ha let him
| alone and the Sergeant followed his example.
| And so the squad that was the pride OF the de-
| partment was ruined.
| The Chief will go on putting other men in
! the places OF those who are caught !OuiinR
| from time TO time. and as he will do II on tho
same old plan the same old mess will result
| II is said that there are now iour or five hun
| dred applicants for twenty-Il 1--WE vacant places
! in the squad. When inquiry was made yes
| squad being part OF his district. il was impos-
| sib,e To ascertain what tests were applied to
| tho men or II any were before they we're as
| lected well the competitions organized by
Commissioned Andrews IN his day. but NOT ono
| Of them seemed TO have heard OF any since
then, However, they were sure that the men
| be- But tho squad will hereafter ride behind
| the force on parade. not ahead OF il.