New-York tribune., 1907-02-08
VOSS DENOUNCES MAYOR
BINGHAM BILL HEARING.
Commissioner Asks for More Po5cer
-OErer Cham pion8 Mayor.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune.I

fEy Telegraph 10 The Tribune
Albany. Feb. I'm opposing the Bingham po-
lice bills at the hearing before the Assembly
Cities Committee to-day Assemblyman Voss, Of
Brooklyn, who said that though he had been
counsel for one Of the inspectors he was acting
merely az a citizen. denounced Mayor Mcclellan
for using the police force OF New York City
SIS a political machine" He asserted that the
bills breaking" the detective sergeants and in
spectors and making those places assignable at
the Commissioners will We're merely political
measures which could be used to excellent ad-
vantage IN such cases.
Mayor Mcclellan summarily ordered tho
transfer Of a police inspector IN New York City
because that inspector was doing his duty in
preserving order in his district and in suppress
ing vice; he had him transferred because in do
ing this he hurting the Mayors chance for
reelection. and the day OF election was ap-
preaching" the Assemblymen charged.
Mr.. Oliver, Democratic leader sprang 10 his
feet and glsring at Assenlblyman Voss, said:
Il am persona non grata with Mayor McClel-
Ian. but I cannot let such a statement pass. l
think that is a lie in the whole cloth Mr.. Noss
do you mean US to understand you as saying
that Mayor Mcclellan called up the Chief Of
Police and ordered him TO transfer an inspector
giving his for doing so that the in
spector by doing his duty hurting him po-
liticalIy?"
Mt. Noss reiterated his statement
Commissioner Bingham. who previously had
talked with Governor Hughes about police Off
GERS. explained his bill and urged fits passage
He said that the bill gave him the power that
the head of any business should have, and that
he had to have this power If he was TO enforce
his orders and bring the department TO a state
Of efficiency.
Remember this said he: there is nothing
in this bill for personally except that 1t VIII
allow me TO make a success of my work as Po-
lice Commissioner. Remember. too, that if
exercise the additional powers this bill will give
me unjustly the Mayor Of. New York City or
the Governor OF the state could remove me on
five minutes noice. II / had Dowlng law
and the power of subpoena, I would make my
inspectors obey me. as jerome does his. and
would have a Police Department that the city
could point to with pride"
Charles H Young. representing the Committee
Of Fifty, explained the measures He said sew
eraI amendments would be made to the bill to
assure that The sergeants should lose no salary
or chance of promotion. and that roundsmen
would be officially titled sergeants and sergeants
called Heutenants. After Commissioner Bing-
ham had explained the organization of the police
force and the necessity for efficient bureau,
Assembyman Voss began his speech against the
bill lie said:
I appear as a citizen and not as the repre-
sentative of any one. 7 want it understood that
] not retained by the police Of New York 10
speak against this bill. but know something OF
the department. and cannot approve this Dill
The inspectors are detailed to districts and have
charge Of those districts we'll as certain other
duties. The Commissioner has at present power
10 shift them and bring them to trial When
charges are made against them More power
would be tyranniCal. These inspectors have
spent lifetime i'm rising TO their position. and
should not be robbed Of #. Whether the adj
miuiStratiOn can be relied 10 carry out such
powers the bill gives benehCenuy Is moro
f2feE doubtful. ] have high respect for the pres
ent Commissioner. but he is not above the rest
~ us. and is prone to error Give him too much
power. and he may use ii unjustly. Give this
power. and il viii be used wrongfully by the
Mayor; If not the present one perhaps the next
Who can tell how long Mcclellan may be in
office Within three months he may be sue
ceeded by Hearst.
The inspectors are the ones who need protec-
tion. one Of them spent year and a half in
clearing himself Of unjust charges and it cost
him two years salary. This done under
Binghams administration tell you there IS
one way Of ridding New York Of graft-by one
general raid.
Paradise Jimmy Oliver said that no army
officer had ever been success as commissioner
Of police not even General Porter
General Bingham then spoke in defence of the
bill. He said:
am paced in an unexpected position. but
don't intend to be drawn into any political dis
cussion. When the Mayor asked me TO take the
position of Commissioner, l said: My goodness.
Mayor. ] can't touch that but he insisted, and
I took il with the understanding that there was
TO be politics IN it. and 10 this agreement
the AIavor has strictly adhered 1t is true that
this bill viii touch the Civil Service, and l shall
have 10 appoint inspectors from eligible captains.
This. ] believe. will increase the efficiency Of
the force
Ii is not my duty to legisate or lobby, and I
won't do it. I must say. however. that con-
slider myself competent to deal with the Police
Department, and that experience has fitted me
for sucn work. l know the conditions that exist
I'm the department. l found certain changes
necessary. and have made some Of them in the
financial side Of the department, and this bill
before you is 10 allow me to make others that
more badly needed
don't why there should be so much
Worry about bad Commissioner. If he is bad
The Mayor or Governor can decaptate him in
Ave minutes. I want to treat all the men in the
New York department on the level. and believe
I have. But l must have power TO enforce dis
cplne. When inspector IS not doing his
duty ] think he ought 10. want the power
TO punish him. There is time to have a long
legal trial There must be prompt action. The
men must have little healthy fear of me. II