New-York tribune., 1900-12-26
DEvERY'S END IN SIGHT.
TAAIAIANY READY TO SACRIFICE ITS
CHIEF OF POLICE.
DECREASE IN REVENUES THAT USED TO GO
TO THE. ORGANIZATION ONE OF THE
REAsoNs-HIs WAR ON NIXONs
COMMITTEE


REAsoNs-HIs WAR ON NIXONs
COMMITTEE
The probability is that Chief Devery viii put
in his application for retirement before the end
of the present week. Devery's friends recognize
that he has shot his bolt and that further con-
turnacy on his part in resisting the orders Of
Tammany will result in his Indictment and his
subsequent removal which would mean the loss
Of $4,000 year pension. Devery. il is under
stood is a rich man. but he is not disposed TO let
his fight against certain individuals Of high
standing in Tammany Hall go to the Myth Of
jeopardizing his peIsion
To the general public it seems a paradox that
& committee appointed by Richard Croker
should openly be in conflict with a Chief OF Po-
lice who is a friend of Mr.. Croker's and who
was placed at the head of the force by the Tam
many leader But to the men who ere in the
counsels of Tammany the situation is simple
enough. Devery is in disfavor with the orsaniza-
ton and will have to go Two things have con-
tributed TO this end. First it is openly charged
that for some months revenues which went to
Tammany have been steadily decreasing. and
that money which s--ould go to the organization
is finding its way into the pockets Of one or TWO
individuals.
FIGHTS THE NIXON COMMITTEE
In the second place. Devery has gone out OF
his way to antagonize CrolkeT's vice committee
Supported by Commissioners Sexton and Abel.
and. according to repute, by Senator Tim
Sullivan. he has refused to obey the orders OF
Lewis Nixon ard his colleagues. The COMMITTEES
has recognized that crisis has and that
something must be done il Tammany is to have
even a remote chance at the elections next year
If the policy Of the committee were followed
Tammany would be enabled to set up the plea
that it had helped to clean the city BY closing
up the immoral resorts and gambling houses
Mr. Nixon's committee hoped to minimize the
taint which attaches to Tammany after It has
fattened for three years the money paid for
the protection of vice. Devery and his friends
have been less far sighted They are more con-
| cerned about the present than the possibilities
of next November; hence the clash
In the struggle Devery will go under It may
be said. in fact. that he has been submerged
already. 1t is known that the significant state
ment made by Lewis Nixon on Monday was in
| spired. The committee is in close touch with
Mr. Croker. and il is by his orders that Devery
will be sacrificed to the exigencies that now con-
front Tammany Hail. Devery recognizes that
| he is beaten. His request for retirement, 1t is
well understood has been already written out
and is in the possession of Commissioner Sexton
: When the moment arrives when Devery Is con-
fronted with the alternative of resigning or
! facing the probable loss Of his pension his ap
I
/ Police Board The likelihood is that he viii
leave Headquarters within the next few days.
/ Devery is aware that it is a matter of only
| few weeks before police legislation will be en-
/ acted which would end his tenure OF Office. and
| it has been made plain to him by his own or
/ ganiZation that unless he gets out speedily ne
| NAV be called upon TO answer charges of in
/ competency. Mr.. Nixon's threats of submitting
! evidence to the Grand Jury and securing the
/ Indictment of several captains was meant solely
| lever to assist in hoisting Devery out OF
/ Mulberry-st Should the Chlet retire the p9-
/ lice captains would be thoroughly amenable
| and would obey implicitly the orders Of the
/ committee. With Devery's influence removed
/ from them there would be no need Of threaten
/ ing them with Indictment. for the reason that.
! as Mr.. Platzek said on Monday. every gambling
/ house in the city would be closed tightly that
/ they could not be opened with a crowbar.
! DEvERY IN HIS OFFICE.
To the surprise of the Headquarters staff.
Chief Devery visited NIuIberry-st- yesterday. and
remained in his room from until after o'clock
For most of this time he in consultation
with Captain Titus Neither of them would say
if their conference had anything to do with the
police situation. Il amt got nothin' TO say
| about nothin, was Devery7s reply 10 the m
! quiries that were put to him.
| Lewis Nixon, when he seen yesterday.
would ot N not Mondav SP This his is day Of peace and
good will" he said and do not want to utter
a word against any one. My statement or yes
| terday was mainly directed against systems. Bl-
| partizanship is a mistake in police administra-
| tion and I am sure that either Commissioners
| York or Commissioner Sexton could, with full
! power care for existing evils What has given
me the greatest satisfaction is the fact that not
a single man in the Tammany organization has
| attempted TO dissuade me, but that from all
| sources have received encouragement. advice
| and proffered assistance The earnestness or
| purpose and sincerity of my colleagues on the
/ committee have made our work harmonious to
| a degree seldom seem
| "As a protection to life and property the po-
lice Of New-York are unsurpassed, and 1t IS a
great Injustice to this efficient body of men that
| a system of protection which enriches a few
| should lessen the pride and confidence we should
have in the police force
THE FIFTEEN TO MEET TO-DAY.
The Committee of Fifteen will meet to-day at
3 O'Clock in It's headquarters in the Charities
| Building The principal interest in the meeting
will be the constitution of two subcommittee.
which will be instructed in one case TO obtain
| evidence against illegal resorts and in the other
/ TO confer with other reform bodies The sub
/ committee on evidence will not only gather proof
! AGAINST evil places. but also against the ofh-
| Gals responsible for their existence and pro-
| lection
THROWN AGAINST A POLICEMAN.