New-York tribune., 1905-02-11
BYRNES HITS AT M'AD0O.
POLICE NOW Il "RABBLE." "
FdOOrs a Commissioner Appointed
by GoUernor for Ten Years.

Thomas F. Byrnes, ex-Police Superintendent
speaking before the Committee of Nine at the
City Club yesterday, recommended that there
should be a commissioner with a ten year term
and with increased power. to be appointed by
the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. He
suggested first deputy to be drawn from the
uniformed force. and a trial commissioner
vested during his term with full police powers
He arraigned the present police administration
from the Commissioner downward
Mr. Byrnes talked to the committee for more
than two hours, and several members It is said
were favorably impressed by his suggestions.
After his appearance before the committee
Mr.. Byrnes said
I told the committee at first that would have
TO talk to the press if L cared to. They told me
there would be nothing private,
recommended one headed commission with
the same power as the present commissioner, but
Senate. His term should be for at least ten years,
ano ne SIou!u pe FeLoFeQ lIom once py the Ap-
pelate Division in case of malfeasance or derelic-
There should be four five deputies appointed
by the commissioner
DUTIES OF THE DEPUTIES
The first deputy should be the superintendent,
the executive head. who should direct the force and
The second deputy; on account of the large terri,
fore orS WITH sc anSo haaf M he R he nd
These he shall select from the uniformed force
make FRsy Ss ssfs hsTs a. s ats tie bs %.d to
RE tbirs denmt wbn sbaEid he shG ocsieS in
grookyn sho1d have charge Of that borough and
The fourth deputy should be the trial commits.
Instead of sitting only in New-Yorz. he should sit
policemen arraigned should not Be taken from their
SeY e than IN fe IF His fngs sh9
The case should then be brought before the Com
From the moment of this deputy's appointment
he must have a patrolman's powers vested in him
trolman
Mr.. Byrnes here seemed to modify his asser-
tion as to the absolute power to be vested in the
Police Commissioner.
mo one he said. should be invested with
power to dismiss a patrolnan summarily. as his
tenure of Office is of the principal attrac-
tions of the service.
IF fifth deputy should be appointed" said
Mr.. Byrnes, land his appointment is optional
he should assist the Commissioner in his work.
by the employment of this SYSTEM Mr.
Byrnes continued, you would remove the local
influence from the force, and would be bound to
get man of the best character as Commits
sioner When I appointed under the old
metropolitan system all the officers were ap-
pointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Senate think they had better men then than
under the present system"
Should the Commissioner be vested with
more power than he has at present." was then
asked.
Mr.. Byrnes replied:
The power the Commissioner has now is all that
he should have. AT the head of an army Of seven
Under the bipartisan system the Commissioner
because ta he knew the personnel Of his men, Now
superintendent and everything else.
TENDS TO MAKE RABBLE.
This tends to make rabble of the force If there
were a competent man at the head of the force
cerned-woud improve 100 per cent within forty
possibe from the aT UNIFORM foDau foTce De appointed
In selecting man for The head of the Detective
side the force There plenty of good material but
II Is absolutely NECESSARY for the men to have the
know they may have chance.
The more you take away the red tape the more
simplicity simple you haye: the more you add to the
eced pF6y faS from the the 5ga de9e SHOULD be
perior officers are likely to be better equipped for
have man in mind now whom 9Ppp r. bad aIeT1aI; @ Iav
! would make the chief of police, Within twenty
The men are demoralized There never before was
makes excise arrest to-day he never knows but
that as result he may be transferred to Yonkers,
Put strong energetic man at the head.
the desk and gives ~. 1Lo to men who know he is
fifty detectives go except four 1 then obtained
Others letting them e kn9T Gg that ayo % they
understood they were doing a favor and were
being appreciated.
do you mean that Commissioner McAdoo is
not using his power properly" Mr. Byrnes was
asked.
Il do not say that. am not criticising any
body" he replied. quickly.
Elihu Root, who has not yet attended any OF
the meetings OF the Committee of Nine, tele-
phoned TO Mr.. Fox yesterday that he was busy
at the Appellate Division.
Mr Byrnes said he would probably speak
again next week