New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-06

no knowledge of it; yet he wants the power to
humiliate this inspector or any other by putting
him under the youngest and most inexperienced
captain on the force. Now, believe Bingham
IS an honest man. Pm not saying that he misuse
that authority but who knows what his sue
cessor would do?"
After Colonel Mcclure came Inspector Bald
win, who read q brief, saying that the police
rules now gave ample power to the Commits
sioner. This bill would break down discipline
in the force, he went on. since no inspector
might be deposed. and if put in that captain s
command be subjected to the captains Ven
geance
PIPER AND WINS FOR BILL
AssembIyman Prentice. speaking for tho Bng-
ham bill, which he introduced, read Il letter
from Captain Alexander r. Piper. declaring
that statements that he opposed the bill were
false, and another from William NJ. WINS along
the same lines, urging strongly the passage of
the measure. Mr.. Prentice had mentioned no
names in connection with the letters. but As
semblyman Noss who had been most active in
trying to defeat the bill, shouldered the respOn-
sibility for the reports about Mr.. Ivinss oppo-
sltion to the bill by saving that Mr.. WINS had
told him in confidence that he did not favor il.
lie said that he ap0lOgiZed later to Mr. WINS
for violating that confidence. He hadn't said
that CAPTAIN Piper opposed the bill he said, but
the newspapers had misrepresented him in that
case. Commissioner Bingham little later pade
his statement about Mr.. Ivns's interview look
peculiar by saying that Mr. Wins told him, not
In confidence, that his only opposition to the
bill was that 1t didn't go half far enough to-
ward police reorganization. And then came
Commissioner Bingham, primed for battle
stern duty seems to compel me to say few
words he began I shall talk straight 10 the
point, md take just about nine minutes and
thirtY-seven seconds
III not allow that any man is a better Amer
lean citizen than | am. 1 believe In the square
deal and ! try To give it myself There was
no reason why the inspectors should not have
heen here the first time, but they didn't ask
They didn't think / had New York behind me.
Wien they found / had they began to get busy
They arc iustifying to a certain extent the Dis
lrict Attorneys words. that if this bill was
Nlled the inspectors would have killed il.
a QUESTION OF DISCIPLINE.
Now. I've got nothing against the three men
here motioning toward Inspectors Walsh
Hussey and Baldwin. They know police duty.
They can do good work. don't say they do,
don't say they don't but they can. When
man takes an oath of office he assumes Ger
ram Obligations Witngly-curtails certain OF
his liberties.
Yet here are three inspectors. supposed to be
my subordnates. opposing what l say is right
Tor me force They have that right citizens.
but it's not discipline The Commissioner Thu,
Mayor the city authorities and the Legislature
are the only ones who have a right to say any
thing abOuI the general policy of the police
Did the inspectors send the venerable Cort-
right here? / take off my hat to him-hes
noble ola Roman. No. two men / made had the
nerve TO come UP here and face this Assembly
before me They had the right citizens: but
over whose head | made a raid last week. /
had evidence that poolrooms running ten
days. tie says he didn't know il: but il was his
business 10 know / want the power TO make
these men produce results Now he has the
nerve TO come here with that over his head Was
that good taste or disciplne?"
Here Colonel Mcclure tried TO ask a question
but Commissioner Bingham Tetorted NO YOU
spoke beautifully for very long time My time
IS limited. The business of the city must go
on the business of suppressing crime and brll-
tally. We've got right to respect the feel
ingS OF any man If we don't interfere with his
pay They say I've got sufficient power It's
not for them To say; it's for the citizens What
business is il Of theirs if there is politics in
Jected into the department by this hill? That's
for the citizens To say
Commissioner Bingham filed with the COM
mIttee various letters from organizations sun
porting his BILL and Colonel Erhardts letter
which declared that If the bill We're defeated A
police lobby fund would have beaten it, Then
as he turned TO go he said: The police would
be surprised To know how kindly feel toward
them They're manly lot Of fellows. Some
are tough though. There seemed To he an
idea IN Colonel lectures speech that these men
were such that / retained them I'm high places
or advanced them.
Cad" he added ruefuy. they were the best
! could do. had nobody else"
Reports Of a lobby fund In connection with
the bill were revived to-day with renewed force
Various Legislators undertook 70 run them to
earth. but while everybody seemed 90 have
heard the story Of the graft fund" which might
be dispensed in New Jersey, nobody could pin
down anything definite concerning II.