New-York tribune., 1900-11-26

authority that the work which MI. Croker's
committee has mapped out for Itself has for Its
purpose not the diminution OF vice or the
punishment of the district leaders and Tam
many police captains who have prohted by the
iniquitous conditions which they have fostered,
but the localizing OF the disorderly houses. 1t
can be stated definitely that the report of the
committee when Il has been prepared will criti-
else the efforts which have been made in the
past by reformers. The committee will assert
that the work OF these men and organizations OF
reform has tended to scatter disorderly persons
and to drive them into the respectable districts
OF the city. 1t is the committees intention to
fellow up this condemnation by repeating Chief
Devery's SNUG defence that the social evil must
always exist and by recommending that the
police should confne all the houses of vice in one
locality. And that is all that will come from
Mr.. CToker's instructions. vehemently uttered In
public. that vice in this city must stop.
ABEL AND SEXTON IN OPPOSITION.
Ex-Judge ". NJ. X Olcott, who has been re-
tanned as special counsel to prosecute Inspector
Cross and Captain Herlihy, will attend a meet
ing Of the Police Board tomorrow. After the
meeting he will proceed to formulate the charges
against the two officers and to gather the nee
essary evidence TO support those charges. Ed
ward NJ. Shepard, whose professional duties VIII
prevent him taking part in this preliminary
work, there is little doubt will find himself in
a position TO associate himself with Judge OIL
colt in the trial Of the case
Bernard J. York, president Of the PoIee Ponce
Board. is bent upon pushing the charges
against the accused officers Commissioners
Abel and Sexton are by no means so entnusias-
tic I'm the matter Mr. York. Although II is
understood that several messages have been re-
ceived from Mr. Croker. Il would appear tnat
they are as yet somewhat uncertain as to
which way the cat Will finally jump. Therefore.
far possible. their stand for the time
being is OF the non-committal kind. DurlnR
the last few days Mr.. York has found 1t impos-
sIble TO get a quorum Of the Board together:
Commissioner Hess is in the happy position OF
house and consequently keeps him out of en-
broilTnent but in the case of Commissioners
Abel and Sexton IT Invariably happens that that
when Mr.. York seeks 10 find them In their
oeices for the purpose of holding a meeting one
or other OF them has been suddenly called away
upon business
YORK AFTER DEVERY's SCALP.
Up to the present MI York seems to have the
better of the argument. He is after Devery's
scalp, and means TO secure 1t at all costs. Dew
cry feeling secure in the friendship Of Richard
Croker. has more than once dehed the president
Of the Board and 1t is recognized that the fight
which has been begun between Mr.. York and
Chief Devery can end only N the retirement of
one Of them. Mr.. York is feeling pretty sure OF
his ground. He has the Democratic machine of
Kings County at his back, and II is understood
that the leaders Of this group have already MADE
the cables yibrate with some particularly strong
worded messages and threats to MI Croker.
Those who best informed upon the stua-
ton have reached the opinion that Mr.. Croker.
however greatly he may be attached to DeVery,
will order the sacrifice OF the Chief for the sake
Of harmony, and that with Mr.. Devery will go
several police captains for whom he has stood
sponsor.
Among these. in addition to Inspector Cross
and Captain HerlIhy, Captains Thomas and
Diamond are named.
In the week that Captain Titus has been at
the Eldridge-st. station he has brought about
conspicuous changes in this hitherto notorious
precinct. Soliciting has been abolished. the
signs which usually betoken disorderly house
have been obliterated, and in every way the
district is in cleaner condition than it has been
for some years.