The morning journal-courier., 1907-12-27
FOR MASS MEETING
Opinion of Some That Police Board Action Should be
 Discussed.
DANIEL KELLY SAYS
Thinks Choice Makes Civil Service Ex-
 aninations Look Like Farce in This Case.

Much feelings against the methods adopted by the police commissioners in the selection of material for its heads of departments has developed among those conversant with the police situation in New Haven. This ha: been the chief topic since Monday night, when. the commissioners at a star-chamber sitting named Captain Thomas J. Dunn. then sergeant at the Grand avenue precinct, to assume charge of the detective bureau, over looking other ellgibles, including Ser geant Jeremiah Dennehy who was act man at the civil service examination of sergeants for the position. In some quarters a mass meeting of citizens to protest against the star chamber action of the commission is talked of. Already steps are being taken along this line. Mayor-elect James B. Martin, who will be an ex- of1cio member of the commission. has q decided objection to star chamber sessions.
 It will be recalled that in the early part of Mayor Studleys admnistra- tion there was trouble in the police board and his honor took a stand then in opposition to the action of the police commissioners.
 That action resulted in the obltera- tion of the police board that went con- trary to the good of the department.
 There was trial in the superior court in that case and Judge Ralph Wheeler in his decision sustaining Mayor Studley emphasized the fact that the mayor of the city had very broad and sweeping powers that could be exercised when police board made changes for political reasons. as seems to be the trouble in the present case.
 The police board is supposed to be non-partisan and changes made affect ling the force are not supposed to be made for political reasons.
 Commissioner Daniel F. Kelly, who with Commissioner James P. Cunning, supported Dennehy for the place of captain, says:
 There was no particular reason for holding the meeting in secret, MT. l Ullman asked me if I wanted an ex- ecutive session and l told him it madt no difference to me. It certainly wal for no hidden reason as the publi' knows all that happened and the re suit of the election had been slated be fore we went in.
 "I do not see what good it would have done to have the public there not that I would have any objection to their presence, for 1t would maki no difference. as all they would sec would be the voting.
 q was as much disappointed, as ! think many other New Haveners were in the failure of Detective Dennehy t' get the eaptainey. He is a good repre- sentative man, a good detective, ant man of fine character. As far a my vote goes. I made no promises t anyone, but l voted for what was il my opinion the best man, and MI Dennehy has always been a goot hard working, conscientious detectiv
 Tt looks to me as though the civ service examinations as far as thi matter is concerned are farce. Den lnehy stood the highest in these exam nations and surely that ought to b considered and as far as seniority o priority goes, as a member of the pc lice department, he deserved the cap taincy. Captain Dunn is q good mar but he is young and has not had tn eXnerienee."