The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-25
VIGILANTES
FOR GOTHAM,
BINGHAM S CRY
Commissioner Thinks
Police Force PoWerleSS.
inquiries Into It's Re-
cent Failures.

NEW YORK. July 25.-Police Com
missioner Bingham made the extraordi-
nary statement today that the forma-
ton Of vigilance and protective COM
mittees in certain neighborhoods OF the
city is necessary. The commissioner
also reiterated his statement that he is
utterly powerless to put a stop TO the
attacks upon women and young girls.
which have become so alarmingly fire.
quent recently.
My attention." said Commissioner
Bingham. has been called to the or
ganization Of vigilance and protective
committees in various sections OF the
city. 1 am afraid that such organiza-
tons in some places are necessary. l
have not enough policemen in the de-
partmeqt to fully protect the city That
IS all there is TO be said
There appears 70 be a wave OF
crimes against children and women.
am coping with it TO the best OF my
ability I have not only ordered the
police TO prevent such crimes. but
have appealed TO their manhood and
their citizenship. L believe they are
doing the best they can"
Bingham Begins Inquiry.
Commissioner Bingham today began
an investigation into the workings or
the department and the conduct Of
many of his officers which promises
such a shake-up as has not occurred
before or since the days Of the Lexow
Commission
One Of the cases most discreditable
TO the police is the murder last Tues
day of Miss Esther Norling by Frank
Warner, apS the shooting OF ]. T. Will
son-
Commissioner Bingham says frankly
that he thinks police ineffciency was
responsible for Warmers escape after
he killed Miss Norling, and his subse-
quent mad run through the streets, end
ing with the shooting Of Wilson.
He will begin at once an inquiry into
the cases of patrolmen suspended on
charges OF cowardice in the pursuit Of
Warner.
Other policemen are charged with
similar caution in the pursuit OF the
slayer, and more suspensions are eX-
pected to follow shortly.
Warner, who IS now believed sure to
recover, regained consciousness late last
night. and offered 20 make a full state
ment TO Coroner Aquitiln, but, changing
his mind denied all knowledge of the
killing of Miss Norling.
Failed in Armenian's Case.
Why the detectives have failed TO find
anything concerning the blackmailing
organization believed TO have Inspired
H. :. Tavshanjian's murder is another
thing the commissioner wants 10 know.
A dozen rich men received letters noti-
flying them OF the assassination and
threatening them with q similar fate
so soon after the murder that the writ
ers must have known Of Il in advance
Some OF the leaders Of the Armenian
colony favor submission TO the black
mailers' demands. Others seriously ad-
vocate the assassination OF the man they
are all convinced is the society's head.
The suspected man himself has lodged
many traps set by the police IN the hope
Of making him commit himself He
seems perfectly fearless, and evidently
mas no thought Of flight.
Inside workings of the police system
will also be laid bare at an investiga-
ton just begun into charges made
against. one another by Lieutenant
Hauptman and Policeman Devanney, OF
the West SiXty-eighth street station.
Devanney says attempts have been made
70 intimidate him for his activity in
the performance Of his duty. and blames
Hauptman for the campaign against
him. District Attorney Jerome will have
an assistant present to decide whether
the criminal law has been violated.