New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-15


by a policeman and asked 10 contribute $50 TO the
fund. and that he consulted lis superior who ad.
vised him not to contribute Had you heard Of
such case2"
Yes"
rs il true"
1T Is true
"wn you give Us ,he name Of the ofHcer?"
NO"
Had you also heard OF the assessment on gam
bling houses. saloonkeepers and patrolmen for this
fund.-"
7 heard about everything mentioned in that
article"
You probably know that there is gossip in
some circles that the passage OF your bill would
put the Police Department in politics deeper than
ever"
Yes have heard about that"
The Commissioners attention was called to the
fact that Mr.. Cutting seems 10 lay great stress
upon the reformation Of the Police Department.
while he B:ngham) emphasizes the fact that he
wishes merely TO reorganize.
Well answered the Commissioner, I believe
this is merely difference in the use OF words and
not a misunderstanding between as. Mr.. Cutting
says reformation reforma ton, reorganization II
he means that We in perfect agreement. am
not trying to reform the department in the sense
Of reforming the morals Of the police; I am not
bothering about that"
The ConmissiQner said that be did not think il
too big a job" but it not Just what he was
after AZ present He said that he thought that Il
he reorganized the department he would reform
It 10 appreciable extent.
Late in the afternoon the Commissioner MADE
public the letters written by General Greene. In
reply 20 a letter from Inspector Smiling Diol,.,
walsh 10 him. dated February "a the former Com
missioner said:
I am Tot in sympathy with your opposition TO
the pending legislation At Albany. I believe this
legislation 10 be necessary for the proper admins
uation OF the Police Department and the enforce
ment Of discipline. think the inspectors are max
Ing serious mistake in opposing it,
In his letter TO eX-AIayor Low General Greene
said that he was first inclined 20 doubt the advisa-
oity OF making inspectors temporary appoint
ment, but had now become convinced that il is a
most excellent measure. He said also that there
was no question in his mind either Of the neces-
slty or desirability of the legislation in regard
the detective seTgeants. His letter 10 General
Bingham follows. in part;
GREENE FOR BILL
am strongly IN favor OF the legislation pro-
posed inc Hesitation in regard 20 the detectiv.
70 obtain in 1893. ANA the bin passed boih houses
q the Legislature AT that time. but when it went
requiring the three platoon system, and that was
50 Objectionable that ] asked the Governor not 10
sign the bill. ] think the opinion is practically
unanimous. both in and cut OF the Police Depart
eficent detective bureau is absolutely impossible
divergence If opinion bur after csrefn Core5r az,
uon am satisfied that such measure you pro-
cpline and responsibility ~ the Police Department
Al the present time the law authorizes the de-
and hold this position the pleasure of the
Commissioner. I detailed Inspector Cortright 10
This position in January. 1894, and his detail has
been continued by my Successors. The same prin-
cple should be extended 10 all inspectors in order
that the Commissioner may hold them responsible
The whole theory OF the present Police law in
New York is give larger power 10 the Police
Commissioner and 10 hold him responsible for the
exercise OF il by making him removable by either
tie Mayor or the Governor whenever either OF them
thinks proper. ] believe this theory is perfectly
sound and that the Law Is good one In regard TO
The detective bureau and the inspectors, however
the power OF the Commissioner Is greatly restricted
aud II Is this that your proposed egsla-
uoa is designed. ! hope you viii succeed In pass
ing
Inc statement Of the Federation Of Church Clubs
follows IN part:
ln favoring the provisions OF the Page Prentice
n.l IL is the sense OF this committee that it is
Constructive legislation that the people Of The city
q Now York asking nothing at the hands or
no Legislature except authority over their
servants. and that by passing tnis measure YOU
VII lee coRting the responsibility for the non-en-
iorcement OF the laws upon the head Of the de-
partment At the same time il Will mean the shift
Ing OF the detective bureau from its present pari
san headquarters 20 the head OF the Police De-
l'artnent, thus making IL possible to create de-
t"cuve bureau THAI. instead of being rldiculed by
al Who know anything about i, VIII be a source OF
lf-de 10 Tie citizens OF New York