New-York tribune., 1904-09-24
LTNDSLEY WARNS POLICE.
A TWO PLATOON THREAT.
McAdoo Demands Fuller Report
from Inspector ALbertsOn.


room at Headquarters yesterday declared that
the police would he deprived OF the system II
they could not be made TO do their duty under
II. He was talking at the police in general
over the head of 3 patroman who had Deeh
caught shirking reserve duty.
'.If YOU don't understand st. said Mr.. Linds-
icy. after freeing his mind the Importance OF
reserve duty. "and if every other member OF the
police force doesn't so understand It, you wont
have the three platoon system. because you've
get 10 walk your posts and you've got 70 DO your
reserve TO earn the money you make. believe
that the three platoon IS a good thing. but if
you men don't do first class duty under it. you
won't have It, it VIII either be taken away by
present conditions. or by the criticisms which
are being directed toward the department that
the men are not doing their duty"
Mr. Lindsley's threat evidently was taken as
bluff" by most Of the patrolmen within the
sound Of his voice The patrolmen Of the de-
psrtment believe that no matter how much their
shirlzing and neglect OF duty anger officials in
Mulberry Street the three platoon system is
hound to stay so long as Tammany remains in
power az City Hall The system was promised
90 them On condition of the election Of Tam
many Mayor. the promise being made by Mayor
Mcclellan himself and the police laugh at the
suggestion that Tammany would permit the sys-
tam 10 be abolished merely because burglaries'
nItDW2Y rODDegle& ana cflIklnal dSSduAAe iA NAS
streets az night are increasing.
Police Commissioner ATcAdoo, while he strives
70 belittle the growing clamor Of the public for
a change OF system and puts out statements In
tended 70 make people believe that the increase
Of violent crimes in the city is in no way due to
police fnefhciency. viii not say that he has any
thought OF aholishing the three platoon system.
when Mr.. Lindsley's threat was repeated TO
him yesterday. and he was asked IL there was
anor
smiled feebly, and said: Il have nothing 10
ray about the three platoon system"
FEWER CRIMES, SAYS MADoo.
Asr. MeAdoO yesterday gave a statement which
declares that there were 1,479 violent crimes
reported in the entire city and 747 arrests in
connection with those crimes from August 20
September Is, 1903. against 672 reported crimes
and 401 arrests in the same period of this year.
Even if the statement were true, II would not
disprove the charge that there has been an
alarming increase recently IN burglaries, rob-
berries and street assaults at night, correspond
ing to the absence of policemen from posts in
those parts OF the city where such crimes are
committed almost nightly, but there is no way
OF proving or disproying the statement, since
police reports Of such crimes kept religiOusly
out Of the view OF newspaper men, and it is
notorious that the police often try 10 prevent
people who have been robbed assaulted from
giving to the newspapers the facts about such
crimes.
Attention was called to the departments gag
rule" in q pointed way by Commissioner Nc
Adoo yesterday, possibly because some Of the
veteran officers Of the force had been telling
things about the operation OF the three platoon
system. one such officer had said that in a
precinct where forty-five men were kept on post
under the two platoon system only twenty
men could be assigned 10 paCrol duty at night
under the three platoon system, thus showing
that the latter system cut IN half the efficiency
OF the patrol force at night. Mr. McAdoo called
attention 10 the rule of the department forbid
ding policemen from taking part in 1.-The public
discussion of any question upon which a diver
sity OF opinion exists in the public mind" and
he added in his general order on the subject:
This department VIII be quick TO punish any
attractions OF this rule
when 2 reporter asked the reason for sending
out such a general order at this time Mr. Nc
A6Oo replied: If you are wise YOU viii know
why"
THE COMMISSIONER WOULD NOT TELL.
The Commissioner would not tell yesterday
whether he intended TO place Inspector Albert
son ard Captain Ferris on trial because his
private raid bureau. headed by Sergeant Burke,
had made a raid in a poolroom in The Bronx
which had not been reported 10 him previously
by the inspector and captain.
"That place was not reported 20 this ONCE by
E-A OF tQe OiLcl2AS OF TIE brOrX, ne S2lQ, al
though was informed OF ii more than a week
ago. have returned to Inspector Albertson and
Captain Ferris the report which they sent in to-
day, after the raid was made, asking for fuller
one. The raid was made over their heads and
without their knowledge"
1Er. McAdOO said he had received q letter from
some women In the Williamsbridge portion OF
The Bronx asking for an interview on account Of
the police failure 10 give protection In the streets
there. he had agreed 70 give the interview. he
said He had nothing 10 say about the case OF
James Stewart who lives In Middletown road. in
his house had been ransacked In bis absence by
thieves, who carried away $50 IN bills which he
had hidden "A the house.
John Beftiste. q Frenchman. who had been ar
rested and locked up IN the police station in
West Thirty-seventh-st for intoxication was
allowed 70 escape from the station yesterday
when he and some other prisoners were about to
be taken 70 police court. Apparently the
Frenchnnan merely thought he had been pun
tshed enough and walked out. and the police in
the station were too stupid or too careless 70
step him. Later the doorman and the police
man who had made the arrest we're trying to lay
TIE blame tor the escape on each other The
docrman said his responsibility ended when he
released the man from the cell, and at the time
az the escape he was otherwise engaged"
THE POLICE IN BROOKLYN LAX.
Reporters OF The Evening World" made an
investigation IN Brooklyn between and a. m.
yesterday, travelling IN automobiles through
residence sections mainly. and finding only
twenfy-six policemen On post The summary OF
their observations follows:
These twenty-six were found IN thirteen police
procincts an average OF two 20 precinct Not a
tonesEnsn OF sersesnt was found IN the territory
of the tE.enty-slx men hut six patrolling their
talking 10 citizens or sitting -'u'ls On corners
The Evening World automobiles covered thirty-
picked out 70 cover The Heights BTooITe sSRei was s
elusive residence section. was thoroughly covered
es we're places where persons i've who DO not own
The business section OF the borough sraversed
n nOlica