New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
STIRRED BY THE TRIBUNE.
More POzuer and Longer Term for
Commissioner Proposed.

Feeling that the powers OF the head of the Police
Department are limited that he is practically
unable to stamp out corruption If he would, repre-
sentatves of City Club holding conferences
with Police Commissioner McAdoo. the outcome of
which will undoubtedly be the presena ton of meas
at Albany drawn to give the Commissioner
power of summary. absolute dismissal Of guilty
policemen. In connection with this there may be
other measures tending take the Police Depart
ment politics but this idea is held somewhat
dispara gingly by the people who suggest It, be-
cause of the practical impossibility of removing
from political influence pronounced q political
factor
Declarations were heard yesterday that i'm
portant meeting of the Patrolnan's Benevolent
Association was to be held this week. al which the
patromen would take (presumab bly, in their usual
way plan fight the proposed legislation SINH
lar meetings Of the associations of roundsmen, ser
geants. captains and inspectors will be held. and
their members are expected to cooperate with the
patrolmen in the effort 10 restrain the ambition Of
the Commissioner to get additional power
Lawrence WELLER, secretary of the City Club said
that conferences We're being held with the Police
Commissioner to conditions in the department.
but he would not talk about their probable result
in legislation.
The story in The Tribune some weeks ago
said he. describing the evils OF the system by
which policemen dismissed from the department
after trials were reinstated by the courts crystal
lized ideas which had been discussed here at the
club It was felt that such thing was a serious
handicap to police discipline the trustees OF the
club appointed a committee. which has been hold
ing conferences with Commissioner McAdoo. We
are working in full harmony, but no decisive re-
suit has been reached yet
FACTORS IN THE POLICE PROBLEM.
The inability OF the Commissioner enforce dis
cpline on offenders. the ramihcations of political
influence and the graft system" are the three
factors IN the apparently unsolvable police prob
lem declares a in close touch with the po-
iticaI life in this city, who did not wish to be
quoted The graft system makes the police
potent political force says, while their political
rela tions-he estimates that the police department
swings from 1900 10000 yoteS-make the police
men dangerous grafters. The first move in genuine
t'ommissioner by legislation if necessary absolute
control of his department. so there could De no
apDeaI from his sentence of dismissal. In con-
nection with that, there should be, he asserts. a
longer term for the Commissioner, who can hardy
learn his duties in year or two ana certainly can
not master the inside Of his departmen
A determined stand should be made against the
associations of policemen which collect funds TO
night legislation against them or lobby through
measures in their favor The regulations Of the
department this believes, contain rules which
could be used break up this practice.
'rThen let the police force be removed from the
uotcal field entirely he went on. 1t sounds i'm
practicable. but have law passed which would
render a policeman ineligible for that place If he
hardship in II IL he took his place knowing that was
one of the conditions Of office The English police
do not vote-thev form a State constebulary under
the Secretary OF the Interior