New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
NO WORD FROM CROKER.
LEWIS NIXON SEEMS GREATLY DISAP-
POINTED
INGLY OF HIM. AND GIVES BLIND
HINTS ABOUT DEVERY.

HINTS ABOUT DEvERY.
Suspense Is the word which best character
ICES the of the police situation in this city
yesterday. All eyes were turned toward Eng
land all ears listened for an answer from Rich
ard Croker to the vigorous protest against the
retention Of Devery In the Police Department
which Lewis Nixon chairman of the Committee
of Five. cabIed to the Tammany boss Satur-
day No answer came however, and Mr.. Nixon
seemed much annoyed over the silence. To
porters he declined 10 say a word. except that
he would attend the meeting of the Committee
Of Five to-day Whether he would remain on
the committee withdraw Mr.. Nixon would not
say His friends say that all depends on the
answer vhich Croker sends. Politicians expect
that Croker will uphold the Devery appoint
roent. and they wondering what Nixon is
going to do about it.
Many persons think that Commissioner Muir
ply would he glad enough to receive an order
from Croker to dismiss Devery These people
believe Devery forced upon Murphy. and
that ex-Chfef Byrnes was the man Murphy
wanted for his first deputy. When reporter
said to Colonel Murphy yesterday, Was Devery
your own choice. was he suggested to you
as the acceptable man for the place." Mr.. Muir
ply replied. My son, that is question which
YOU should not ask me"
NINON \ NfN MAN. SANS MURPHY
Mr. Murphy is an old soldier and born
, fighter II is thought that if Devery were his
. own choice Murphy would not be slow to de-
clare it, The Commissioner let fall another re-
mark on this subject yesterday which is signif-
cant. \ reporter telling him how greatly
incensed Lewis Nixon the appoint
+ ment of Devery and how strong Mr.. Nixons
suspicious were that Murphy had played the
Five false in appointing the ex-Chief to be his
First Deputy and Colonel Murphy replied:
Nixon Is man in politics. and does not
know Of certain stems which sometimes have 10
he taken, hut which nevertheless distaste-
fuI TO those who take them. Iy appointment of
Devery has been criticised in various quarters.
That was 10 he expected. II has even been
said that he will he the real head IF the force
and I a mere fgurehead- I do not care TO boast
what l will do but I want to say that I will
have the laws enforced or know the reason why.
I will be the head Of the force. My deputies will
have power to do nothing without my approval.
Devery will not transfer a captain even a
patroman without my sanction. No man who
has ever been my subordinate in any public
Office 7 have held has been able TO hood
wink me successfully, and have fear that
Devery would attempt 10 deceive me-
1t is reported. Colonel Murphy" said re-
porter that ex-Chief Byrnes is the man whom
You really wanted for your first deputy"
"Ridiculousr' exclaimed the Commissioner.
1T is also reported that time when you
were discussing the police situation with the
Committee of Five. you heartily condemned
Devery the man chiefly responsible for the
openness of vice in this city
'Thcre are so many cock and bull stories of
that kind afioat that it would be useless for
10 waste time by giving them serious cOnsdera-
tion." replied the new Commissioner.
WON'T LEAVE THE FIVE YET.
''WiT you now withdraw from the Committee
OF Ffve?"
Il see no reason at present why should do
SOP"
will YOU attend that committees meeting to-
day?"
Il have an important meeting at Police Head
quarters at the hour set for the Five's meeting
and may not be able to attend the latter"
Have any of the Five called you since
your appointments?
. Mr.. PIatzek called to-day
What did he say?'
He expressed approval of my appointment"
what did he say about Devery?"
You would better ask Mr.. PlatZek."
Mr. Patzek. when seen later. said he had no
fault to find with Murphy's appointment, but he
unfortunate and i'll advised. Commissioner KEEL
Ter refused say word about the situation
Commissioner Clausen is out of town.
What is the object" Mr.. Murphy was next
asked 'of calling the uniformed officers of
the force together to meet you at Police Head
quarters tomorrow morning.?
MY reason is" replied the Commissioner,
that / want to getacquainted with them. and
then | want to tell them, each and all. just as
have already told Devery. that the entire
sponsibility for the conduct of the Department
rests upon me and me alone. and that if any
man among them. from Deputy Commissioner
down TO doOrman. neglects TO obey my orders /
will, know the reason why. and that's all there
is TO it. They must enforce the law, matter
who is hurt by it,
UNDECIDED ABOUT SECOND DEPUTY.
With regard TO the appointment of the sec
yet decided whom he would appoint. II have
really been In office only one day." he added
and have not had time do very much yet
L have been reading the records of the men all
morning, and going the lists of the men;
but / have found many good men among
them that it is very hard to make the seec-
tionS''
When asked il he had offered the position of
second deputy 10 Deputy Chief p H. McLaugh-
lin, he said. Il have heard nothing from Nc
Laughlin." This might indicate that the Brook
lyn Deputy Chief was no. to get the place.
FULL. ACCOUNTS OF ENGLISH SIMULTANE-