New-York tribune., 1901-05-02
WILL APPEAL TO MURPHY
PATROIMEN SAY THEY HAVE PERMIS.
SION To ASK HIM FOR THREE
PLATOON SYSTEM

Having failed 10 obtain legislation AT Albany for
three platoon system in this city. the Patrolmen''
Benevolent Association has decided make ar
appeal 10 Police Commissioner Murphy. Two cir
culars were sent yesterday 20 each Of the police
stations in the city one circular is in the form ot
petition addressed TO Commissioner Murphy. and
requests him to formulate and put into effect A
three platoon system" The second circular is ar
appeal TO the policemen in the stations TO sign the
first one. II contains the significant statement that
permission has been given sign and present
This petition" When signed. the petitions are to
be sent "a William brennan, chairman Of the eXecu-
tive committee Of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Asso-
citation at No. 207 East Fifty y-sixth-st.
Commissioners Murphy has been outspoken In op-
position 10 legislation for the three platoon system
and have Deputy Commissioners DeVery ana
York and nearly al the other officers of high rank
in the police force. Many policemen yesterday eN-
pressed surprise that permission has been given
10 sign and present petition for the three platoon
system Some Tammany leaders. it was said
favored the plan of trying the system temporarily
Such trial it said. would not bind the city
keep up the system if IL proved unsatisfactory.
end would not he 80 dangerous as mandatory egis-
.aton perpetuate the system.
II has been made xiain, however, that 10 put
into operation three platoon police system with
out a great increase in the police force would
make necessary the lenEthening Of the patrol posts
sn all parts Of the city. Fewer policemen would
be on duty at one time. and they would have 10
cover much longer posts. Where il has been diff
cult 10 find policemen when they wanted under
the present system. citizens would have a much
harder and longer search for protection under the
three platoon system. Some parts Of the city.
where the patrol posts TOO long would
be left almost entirely unsuarded night Many
midnight fires would be left undiscovered
until people in houses were burned death,
Burglars would have even an easier time than they
have at present in lootinE houses in the city The
only excuse for trying the three platoon system Is
-hsr sr urOrilS riz- r7ov to W
police
Since the attempt 20 secure legislation for 8 three
platoon system failed at Albany. many Of the
policemen who paid their assessments toward a
corruption fund have asked for the return Of their
money. The fund is locked up. however, and
some Of the leaders in the benevolent association
say that it viii he used tempting bait for
legislation next winter il Commissioner Murphy
cannot be induced put the three platoon system
in operation without legislation. The fund is said
10 amount TO about $4,000 There has been some
talk that part of the fund will be divided among
Tammany leaders II they persuade Mr- Murphy
TO set tho three platoon system going as an eK-
pertinent. Mr.. Murphy said yesterday:
/ didn't give any permission 10 post copies Of
that letter and petiTiOa in any station mousse
TO circulate any letter and petition and they have
right to send me any petition they want
We'll dressed women whose names were kept
secret went TO see Police Commissioner Murphy
yesterday and told him they thought there should
be better police protection for the children who
respectable women VINO are opheeo 10 cross Lnt
square in the evenings. Mr. Murphy was told that
benches and make coarse remarks in the hearing OF
the women and children. Mr.. Murphy SAID the
complaint was righteous one and ne gave orqeIs
have extra policemen assigned 10 patrol Mad
ison Square.