New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-11
DEVERYISM WON'T DOWN
TELLS HOW HARD
1T is TO CRUSH 1T OUE.
DECLARES HE WILL PREFER CHARGES
AGAINST THE EX-CHIEF. IF HE is
REINSTATED. AND OTHERS.

view last night at the City Hall where he had
long talk with the Mayor. said that Deveryism
was still potent force in the Police Depart
ment that if Devery were reinstated by the
courts charges would be preferred against
him. and that many of the police officials mani
tested evidence of a desire TO suppress vice
and crime He intmated that there were a
number of men in the department who would
soon be brought up charges. but he would
not indicate those he had in mind. and gave no
ink1ing of how soon he going to move
against them.
Commissioner Partridge felt impelled to talk
because of distorted interview with him in an
evening paper In this interview he was repre-
sented as saying that he could trust no one. and
that Devery1sm almost supreme Tri5-
une reporter called his attention to the state
ments quoted
81 have been grossly misrepresented in the
article referred to-" said Colonel Partridge.
There are material inaccuracies all through IT.
In fact. there many that it is hardly
worth while discussing the article"
Then you did not say that Deveryism was
still paramount in the Department. he was
asked.
NO" said Colonel Partridge; what I said
was that the Devery influence was still too
prominent in the department. So il is What
mean is that those conditions which bear bad in
by whom. are still there do not say that
Devery is giving orders and debating appoint
ments and transfers. but I do say that subtle
influence which prevailed under Devery is still
there"
To what do you attribute it?'
ITO the fact that the department has been 60
ing from bad to worse for fifteen years. and has
been getting still worse in the last three four
years. when Devery was the ruling spirit there
Then it is DeveryiSm?"
Well that is what they call it,
Then the police force is still Tammanyized?'
Yes. I said it was best for the courts to de-
eide whether or not Devery is still Chief of Po-
lice. He has been removed by legislative action.
and he has appealed from that action. and if the
court decides in his favor, then he is Chief of
Police again. isn't he? But I think in that case
have sufficient charges against him to warrant
his removal"
Would you prefer charges Commissioner
OF Police?''
mo. ] could not prefer charges at this time"
COULD HEAR CHARGES AGAINST DEvERY
'If he were reinstated as Chief of Police could
you hear charges against him as Commits
sioner?'
why, certainly could. II the decision Is in
just much longer"
Then consideration of the charges under
the old Board of Commissioners will be preferred
against him"
Yes"
Have you the material for these charges at
hand?'
Yes but they have not been formulated
There is no occasion to formulate them at
present"
How about the captains and higher officials
of the force? Are they Deveryized?"
MANY OF them are; some are not"
DO you think more than not?'.
We'll there are different degrees of Deverysn1.
They run from the saturated solution of Devery-
ism through all grades to the ultra extreme"
DO you feel that there are large number Of
officers in the department whom you cannot
trust?"
II believe that there men, there many
higher officials. who are absolutely loyal and
honest in helping me to carry out my ideas and
plans: notably among these Inspector Cortright.
There are some who give me no evidence of a
readiness to suppress vice and crime
How many Of those there who loyal
and how many who not so lOyal?
With regard to that question I may say T
have made charges. but it is an open secret
that there are captains against whom IT is pos
sible charges may be made But have men,
toned no names.
Are the names mentioned in the interview
with you this afternoon eorrect?"
Il repeat what L said before that mention
names"
rs the statement about Inspector Cross cor
rect?"
Not strictly I look upon Inspector Cross as
capable and efficient officer. He was one OF
the first to show disposition to carry out the
ideas I expressed to the commanding officers on
January i. and he has done with vigor and
success"
The whole tone of the interview referred to
would seem TO suggest that the Police Commits
sioner is rather respondent and tired of his JOB.
Is he?
mo. am not blue over conditions in the de-
partment. 1t is not pleasant TO be nisrepre-
sented.'
PARTRIDGE BOSS NOT DEvERY.
Then the Commissioner of Police is still the
boss of the department and not Devery?'
He is"
How many men have you in. mind now who
may be brought up on charges?"
There may be a number. That is matter
cannot talk now
Have you as many twenty in your eye2''
Il have my eye the whole department. but
I don't mean by that that they will be ali
brought up on charges
You said the revolt might have been inspired
by Devery?'
Il said it might have been 1 don't say It
was"
When Mayor Low asked if Commissioner
Partridge had been summoned to his office on
account of published statements attributed to
him yesterday. he said:
He not. He came to about an
entirely different natter
Commissioner Partridge refused to discuss his
call on the Mayor.
A WOMAN'S POOLROOM. THEY SAY
POLICE GET TWO PRISONERS IN RAID ON
MANICURINCi ESTABLISHMENT.
A raid made yesterday at $50 p. what
the police of the West Observation-Disclosures station
declare is poolroom patronized chiefly by women.
No. II West One-hundred- and -Seventh-st In
spector Kane. Captain Schmittberger of the West
One -hY,d and nDfec ais