The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-21
BINGHAM IS 4 NORWEGIAN
CHURCH CLUE RECEIVES HIM,
CAPITAL d AND ALL.

The Members Quiz Him and Learn HOW
They Can Help the POllCe-oOOO
Honest Wien on the Force and He Likes
Even the Others-An AldeFmanic Tp.
Gen. Bingham attended the meeting
OF the Workingmen's Club Of the Rev
Henry Mottet's Church OF the Holy Com
munion last night. It Ia an open question
whether the Commissioner or the club
members smoked the hardest during the
session, but the Commissioner individually
was moved 10 the point Of strong speech.
DR.. Mottet announced that the Commits
aioner would respond TO any question put
10 him, and Immediately a middle aged man
arose and asked. Does the law give any
police captain authority to enter a dis
orderly house and smash the %furniturer
/ think that II does not, but would like
10 ask the Commissioner. | would ask
why the captain does not close these places
up instead
Gen. Bingham replied; Il can tell you
why he does not close them up, but would
rather discuss that question with you down
at Headquarters. I am not Eidestepping
your question, but l Just want you down
at the Office. LAughter.l l Just want
to say TO you that II Is up 70 us men, this
question. I am sorry for those people, as
all true me n m be, but | want TO point
out to you men that for every one Of those
women there Is a rascally man, andif some
body will 60 through this city and break
their heads and send them TO the hospital
il will be a Christian duty performed
Applause
bad people in the police stations?. The
Commissioner replied: We'll, those things
occur. But that isn't universal. | think
that there are 1000 straight men out OF the
1900. But how about these men who go
no and down Broadway How about
these very rascals I've spoken OFF,
Gen. Bingham urged his hearers to Guilt
vate the personal touch with their public
officers. This town Ia the greatest town
Of knockers that | know Of he said, but
when some Of your officials do something
good write and tell them about II. There
are " tin boxes down in Mulberry Street
which greatly interest me and sometimes
amuse me One contains the knocks and
one the Communications People will blame
and kick often enough but when a nice
thing Is done people don't think OF praiSing
il. II does good when they do think TO do
that, not personally only don't mean that
but TO all the men also"
Upon the suggestion Of 4 member DR..
Mottet proposed that Gen, Bingham be
elected an honorary member OF the Mork-
ingmen's Club. This being done, Gen Bing-
ham said. Il am much touched. | don't
know that | hay over before had anything
that | appreciated &c much. | will help
you II | can. and | hope that III prove
worthy Of membership In the W~orkingmen's
Club
In reference TO a question about the
traffic squad. the Commissioner said, speak
ing particularly OF the difficulties at Twenty
third street that MIR. Stern had come to
him with a scheme. but that il was regarded
as desirable not TO change customs with
which the people OF the oily, particularly
the drivers, had become familiar without
careful consideration. Certain changes IN
the regulations were under consideration
and had been placed before the Aldermen.
What can We do to the Aldermen asked
a a
Tell the Aldermen that as q life raft
they are to vote for Il, said the Commits
sioner.
Il want to remind you the Commits
sioner said a little later. what too many
citizens do not seem 10 know. that a citizen
has the privilege Of arrest. II Is not nee
essary TO put a hand on the accused TO
arrest him. Just say TO him that he ia
under arrest and call on the cop for the
! physical part OF the work. But II 10 neces-
sary for the arresting citizen 10 go along
10 the station house and sign the complaint.
Are the policemen better than twenty
wears ago?' another auditor asked. The
General replied intellectually they are Of
higher grade. and | can't see that they are
any less physically able for their work.
They are not so husky perhaps. do not
think the civil service board is ideal in
furnishing recruits for that work. But
| am trying 10 get 1t to grade candidates
who are physically able.
One man asked II the rumor were true
that detectives had a private call they made
for the police to come to their aid without
citizens knowing anything about IL,
That's a good idea, was the reply III
bear IL In mind
When asked about men being restored TO
the force the General said that there was a
| Arm OF lawyers who got rich at that business
Il like my men, he said. every one Of
them. Some OF them are pirates, but I'll
take care Of them In the family. The weak
point is that | can't compel any n to re-
tire. Some are no good aud can't get
any work out Of them; neither could you;
yet it Ia difficult 10 prove them legally
guilty OF neglect Of duty
The General set the club an example in
the use Of the big, big ID, and although Dr..
Nlottet nut his hand before his face when
this happened one Of the men OF The club,
doubtless out of courtesy. used the same
pinafOrean ~eXpletive.