The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-07
BINGHAM PRAISES POLICE.
ADDRESS AT DINNER AFTER
ATHLETIC GAMES.

Hes Proud to BE Commissioner and Sides
With the Men Against Much Outside
Criticism Has No Prejudice and No
FaVOrItes Discipline and Justice.
After the police athletic games at the
American League Park, a number of detec-
tive sergeants and Headquarters men
gave a dinner last night at the Alhambra
Restaurant, at 126th street and Seventh
avenue, at which Police COMMISSIONS
Bingham was the chief guest. Gen. Bing-
ham made a speech, which was cheered
for three minutes, in which he told the
men that he would give them a square deal,
that he would do his best to see that no
injustice was one to any member of the
force, that he wanted the confidence of the
men as he knew that there we're many
honest and able men in their ranks, and that
they should remember that IL was possible
for a disciplinarian TO be fair and just.
Deputy Commissioner Hathot was the
toastmaster and when he introduced Gen.
Bingham he said so many complimentary
things about his chief that the Commits
sioner remarked that he hoped the Rppro-
priation in the budget for an increase in
Mr.. Mathot's salary would be granted.
This caused a laugh. The Commissioner
said:
Il am very glad to be here tonight be-
cause the athletic games this afternoon
showed the character of the men on the
force. The true sportsman is really the
finest Of men. The real Sportsman must
be ambitious and he does things. He does
the best be can with his powers. He must
be a clean man and strong. The man
who uses his powers to the best advantage
is always the highest type Of a man. The
true sportsman differs from the game sport
In thai he must be a man OF generosity and
m~agnanimity.
Il am glad OF the s plendid record made
by the men to-day. But we must not for
get also the men who did not win. They
did the best they knew no " and they are
are no less deserving Of credit for their
efforts.
Il am particularly glad to I've here be-
cause many Of you are headquarters men
and l believe that I have your confidence.
l wish to reiterate what | ave said before.
/ intend to give every mar a square deal
with me-. IL Ia my desire always 10 give
justice to the men. l will not zee injustice
done. If you hear or know OF any injus-
tice, tell me and / shall right il. Although
a man may not be always able to get what
he wants, it does not mean that he * being
treated uniustly. | have no prejudice and
l a nc favorites. All I ask Of I he Off
GERS n men Of the department il that
they do the duty they are paid TO do.
Il want the men to feel proud Of the
uniform they wear and the work they do,
I am proud to be at the head Of the depart
ment and TO be your Commissioner This
pride ought to be folt by every man in the
department. ] want TO see esprit du corps
throughout the police force. We should
put our foot down on anything that reflects
discredit on the force as a whole. ar not
only your Commissioner I am for the force
az against a great deal of criticism and I'M
fair abuse that comes from the out side.
There are enough good men on tho force
to give H. the tone IL should have. 1 will
not permit outsiders to say nasty things
about the force unchallen wsnt
Won men to feel toward me as a body that
l am q stern commander. but that a man
may be a disciplinartan and yet be
thoroughly just. hope that when ] leave
the department. a. l shall some day, | shall
not onlv have your confidence, but your