New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-13
Mr.. M'ADOO SEEKS ADVICE
FIVE PROMOTTON AIDS.
Ne5c Plan to Select Good officers in
Police Force.

Commissioner McAdoo has asked Colonel
George r. Dyer. Austen G. Fox, David Mcclure,
Morris K. Jesup and ST Clair McKelway TO aid
him in selecting men for promotion to fill the
vacancies created by the recent wholesale re-
tirements Of officers of the police force. Chief
Inspector COrtright and William Howell the
Commissioners secretary, will act with the COM
mittee. All the evidence that Mr.. McAdoo can
obtain about the men who are eligible for pro-
motion viii be placed before the committee, the
Commissioner reserving the final right of selec-
ton and appointment
This is the first time in the history of the
Police Department that such a request has been
made Of prominent of the city by the head
of the department. Mr. McAdoo selected as
members of his advisory committee men who
are not active in political organiza tions, it is
said. to emphasize his warning of a few days
ago that he would not promote any policemen
who sought to political influence In his
letter to members Of the committee Mr.. McAdoo
says in part:
I am confronted with the duty within the
limitations fixed by the Civil Service law of fill
ing four vacancies In the grade Of inspector,
seventeen III the grade Of captain and forty
seven in the grade of sergeant Of police. which
is the largest number Of vacancies that has
isted at one time in the history of the depart
menU It is absolutely essential, in my judg
ment for the best interest of the police and the
public that these promotions so far as am al
lowed discretion by law, shall be made in such
manner as to demonstrate their fairness and i'm
partiality, and that those promoted shall
their elevation solely to merit. The effect on
the police themselves Of impartial and
biased selection, based On merit and fitness, will
be most excellent.
I write, therefore, to beg Of you, in the in
terests of good citizenship and the increased
efficiency Of this force, TO ask if you will not CO.
operate with me as part Of advisory COM
mttee In making these selections You will
have placed before You all the evidence in my
possession with regard to the men to be selected,
n wi ~
without reserve, to examine into the character
and fitness of the candidates.
AS the eligible lists for some Of the grades
very small practically exhausted, l have
dered lists made by the Civil Service Com
mission, and. in the interim, it is my intention.
in most Of the cases, at least, to appoint acting
officers from the lower to the higher grades.
thus giving them an opportunity, as it were OF
proving themselves. I would expect the
mttee in making these assignments to advise
me in the final promotion from the eligible list,
which will then be before the department
know of no service that you render TO
the city of New-York higher than this. which
may mark a era in police administration.
I do not think that the time required of you will
be so extensive as TO Interfere seriously with
your business other engagements In the
end, the selections, Of course by law, rest with
me- and you need have no fear that Will seek
to evade the full responsibility.
One limitation that Mr. McAdoo and his COM
mittee will encounter is the preferment which
the law gives to a war veteran over all other
eligible candidates for promotion, but the num-
Der of such veterans in the police force now is
small The Commissioner can pass over men
not veterans who high on the eligible lists.
After name has been passed by the Commis
sioner three times. it is then dropped from the
list but if he so desires the Commissioner may,
at any time, ask the Civil Service Commission
to certify the same name again. This was done
in many instances in General Greenes ad-
ninistratioH
Police Commissioner McAdoo accompanied by
his secretary, Mr.. Howell, and Deputy Commits
sioner Lindsey. left the city last night for sew
eral days. Mr. McAdoo said they were going
where there are no railroads and mails de-
livered, for a few days recreation. He refused
to name his destination.