Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-17
GOTHAM'S new POLICE BILL
HUGHES SIGNS 1T AND BINGHAM
PREPARES FOR ACTION.
Great shake-Up in New York's
'Finest" Is neutrality-suspicious.
Slated for Reduction.

NEW YORK, April 17.-Gov. Hughes
signed the Bingham bill at Albany yester-
day. and the biggest shakeup in the his
tory Of the police department is at hand.
Commissioner Bingham may explode the
bomb today. He has said that he will not
delay In making the changes he has plan
ned Right Off the reel he will get busy
reorganizing the detective bureau and rele-
eating inspectors he has line on to the
command of precincts and putting compe-
tent captains in their places.
What effect the law will have en- the
sleuths and the INSPECTORS who know that
they are slated to be turned down remains
to be seen, but 1t Is more than likely that
many Of them who are entitled to retire on
a pension will lose no time In quitting ac-
tce work big batch Of retirements is ex-
pected today. and the commissioner has
said that few. II any. will be held up.
Moses Cortright who up to yesterday was
chief inspector Of the department will not
retire. Commissioner Bingham will imme-
diately detail him as an acting inspector
and have him continue the duties he has
been performing He has enjoyed the COM
missioners confidence and he will remain
In his office in Mulberry street and have
the same general supervision of the force
that he has had right along Not long ego
Cortright went to General Bingham and
said he was willing to get out any time the
commissioner saw fit. He celebrated his
fortieth anniversary as a policeman a week
ago and feels that he is entitled to retire
ment, but General Bingham prevailed upon
him to reconsider his determination TO
sever his connection with the department.
Mclaughlin May Resign.
There are only eight out Of the nineteen
inspectors who have their full time in and
have reached the age of ffty-five years.
One of the first inspectors to be deposed is
William F. Mclaughlin. head of the de-
tective bureau. but it is more than likely
that he will hand In his shield without any
ado. The commissioner hasn't been at all
satisfied with his management of the
sleuths. and besides. with the reorganiza-
ton of the bureau. he feels that there
should be new man In charge. 1t is said
that Mclaughlin Is wealthy and has been
anxious to get out for some time.
Inspector George w. McClusky will be
among the first to go to a precinct. The
activity Of the pool rooms in the second in
spection district, where McClusky has been
holding forth. caused Gen. Bingham to get
after the inspector months ago. 1t Is said
the commissioner has other reasons for not
wanting him to command an inspection
district
Pool Rooms Doomed.
On McClusky's heels will follow Inspector
James E. Hussey, who has been looking
after the precincts in the white light dis
trict Hussey, with Inspector Richard
Walsh and Sylvester Baldwin, went to AL
bany when the Bingham bill was before the
assembly cities committee and opposed the
measure. Both Hussey and Baldwin had
been promoted by Gen. Bingham only a few
months before. and he termed their action
rank ingratitude. He has forgiven them
for that. however but since Hussey has
been an inspector the commissioner has
learned things about the West 37th street
station when the little inspector was cap
tain there.
Pool room raids made over his head have
slated Inspector Walsh to be reduced to a
precinct command. 1t is very likely rumor
has it, that the commissioner will send
every inspector he reduces to remote pre-
cincts. Inspectors Cortright. Titus, Schmtt-
berger. Cross. Dillon and O'Bren stand a
show Of being detailed as acting inspectors,
but the others will make way, In all proba-
bility, for new blood. The wise ones have
1t that Schmittberger will retain command
Of the traffic squad. Jimmy Dillon, one OF
the newest inspectors, is believed to have
made a favorable impression on Gen. Bing-
ham.
Capt John j. Lantry of the East 5lst
street station is lie only one who has been
named as likely candidate for an inspec-
ton command, although the commissioner
has the captains in mind whom he intends
to give acting details.