New-York tribune., 1908-03-03
HIT AGAIN
McCullagh Says General Doesnt
Knorc What He's Dong.

Iobn AfcC,ulIash who was the first chief of police
of greater New York. spoke on police matters ias'
night before the West End Association at its
monthly meeting at the Hotel St Andrew de-
nouncfng the department one with too many
fads and 1ancies. and saying that 1t mad never pe
fore been the demoralzed condition that Is To-
day. The former chief said that Commissioner
Bingham thoroughly honest man, but thdt
he did not know how TO handle the tremendous
task that confronted him General Greene salo
eE-Chief McCuagh, came nearer making good
than any of his predecessors or successors Inc
speaker also argued against the power OF removal
which he said Commissioner Bingham sought. lie
said he favored the three platoon system, ana
that he had advised the police to work for IL at
the polls. The number of special details and the
high development of the traffic squad also came
in for criticism
The West End Association is made up of resi-
dents of the middle West Side of the city. where
there have recently been many buTglaries. The as
sociation took the matter up with the Police COM
missioner, and the latter invited to talk at
last nights meeting. General Bingham however,
sent letter of regret, explaining at the same time
that he had made several changes in the force in
the burglar zone Thus il that ex-Chfef Nc
Cullagh present TO give his forcible views on
police affairs in New York.
He said, In part:
have been wrongly quoted saying that Bing..
hams administration is joke: 1 said nothing of
the kind for it is too serious 10 be joke. / nave
most respectful manner. But the cause of all the
"A
certain class of gentlemen in this town known as
pCltclanS--Some cali them mugwumpS or reform
eTS-With the interest of the dear public at heart
promote drastic legislation to enable them 70 find
the man higher In many cases you VIII iind
fEese men TO be the whose trunks are packed
ready to leave but fear if they do they will be
suhpPnaed and called back.
There are few men in this room who fnow who
the police are. Sometimes they're called cOppers
"nI sometimes they're called grafters There's
fid and fancy for looking for the man higher up
Now there's been great ability injected into the
department lately. but they haven't found him.
The trouble is that there is lot of incOmpetants
Placed at the head OF the department. The whole
police force is in complete state of demoraliza-
ton Never in the history of the Police Depart
nlent previously have YOU had to barricade and
chain up your doors and put steel shutters on
your windows.
Do you men appreciate that one-sixteenth Of the
men in this town are idle? Do appreciate that
in any crowded gathering the throwing of brick.
the lighting of a match might precipitate a riot
der2 That's the condition you're facing. II isn't
have to be careful how you get off car. how you
walk up your stoop lest some one knock YOU
down
The question of the city's Indebtedness was also
taken up by the association. and resolution was
adopted. motion Of Louis \, Levy, supporting
The pending legislative measure TO investigate the
matter The resolution also recommended more
economic administration of the ctys affairs