Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-01


has invariably won the day. Not content
the safety of stand pat" stronghold
Commissioner Bingham has sailed forth
to meet the enemy and has defeated him
in the outer trenches. He has inaugurated
reforms which more timfd man would
have stood aghast at. With one stroke of
the pen and without a moments warning
he set the entire force by the ears last
week when he ordered the three platoon
system abolished and a return to the old
two platoon basis.
Sweeping Reform.
Don't you fear the political effect Of
this?" General Bingham was asked by the
startled reporters.
''Hells delight he exclaimed, politics
don't bother me-"
why was the change ordered at this
timer
'Dammitall," replied the commissioner
I asked the aldermen for $500 additional
patrolmen and plain clothes men. They
did not see fit to allow the increase. There
was a call for more patrolmen on the
street at night-more police are always
needed during the summer time when the
pleasure resorts are open and more people
are on the streets-so there was nothing
to do but return to two platoons. The
change gives half the force on duty at
night, while under the three platoon ar
rangement we had but one-tflird the force
on active service. I want to be as con-
siderate of the men is possible but the
public safety must be preserved"
rs it true that you are going to resign?"
asked a reporter the other day-the rumors
grow up like mushrooms over night.
by all the nine gods Of war. they can
have my resignation whenever they want
It," retorted Gen. Bingham.
Then the reporter few to Mayor McClel-
lan overtaking the city's executive just as
he was about to board the steamer for his
trip to Europe. Breathlessly the newspaper
man, who was new on the job, repeated the
rumor to the mayor.
Gen. Bingham as police commissioner Is
about the safest insurance risk you ever
saw young man" With that the mayor
gave the reporter patronizing pat on the
shoulder
With the Reporters.
One Of the greatest successes Gen. Bing-
ham has achieved since taking office has
been in the handling of the New York
newspaper men who heretofore have made
the life OF police commissioners miserable.
With no bump of respect on their craniums,
but with the mound of inquisitiveness de-
veloped to an abnormal degree these hard
working young men of the press have laid
snares for commissioners of the past and
by plying questions in rapid-fre order have
often trapped the officials into saying some
thing that had better been left unsaid But
with Gen. Bingham 1t is different. The
newspaper men have met their match in
the retired army officer, and row that they
have found he can beat them at their own
game, they have begun to admire him In
tenseiy with the result that in the news
columns, at least. he is getting the squarest
deal any police commissioner ever had.
Twice day the commissioner receives
the small army of reporters stationed at
headquarters, who may have been sent
there on some particular errand. They fire
away at him with all sort of questions, but
he never loses his temper. When he thinks
some question particularly impertinent, he
he looks out the window and comments on
the weather. 1t Is during these daily inter-
views with the newspaper men that Gen.
Bingham makes use of the expressions
'HelPs delight" 'Dammitalf" and BY all
the nine gods of war, that have become
famous throughout the metropolis If by
any chance the newspaper men get
Gen. Bingham to make use of some new ex-
clamation they hurry away to their respec-
tive offices and write display head stories
about it. II reporter should get new
expression Exclusively" he is credited with
q big scoop at his Office and the follow
ing pay day either brings him good-sized
bonus or else permanent increase In sal
airy.
Broke the Speed Law.
At one of the interviews the other day the
reporters didn't have much to ask. but
lest their reputation for inquisitiveness
should fall into disrepute they framed up
question and this is what the spokesman
said:
IF raids are made on poolrooms or gam
bling houses by some society, acting inde-
pendentiy of the captain OF the precinct in |
which the raids occur, will there be an In
vestigation OF the possible reasons why the |
captain OF the precinct did not make such |
raids; and will the captain be put on trial
for neglect OF duty?''
Stopping but q moment to catch his |
breath. Gen. Bingham, without moving an |
eyelid. answered:
In spite Of newspaper Authorizations, |
there VIII be concentration in hope OF In |
spiration for an investigation. resulting In |
co operation and combination and final con- |
demnation and incarceration -
The reporters solemnly filed out OF the room
The commissioners dacfded not loafr.s aro ]