Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01

him ana vet he make the promise because it : tie
custom to be untrItiful.
In Wall Street, a is obliged to meet his
obligations or he IS put out of the market place.
This is sort of disciplined honesty that seems to
encourage spirit of honor under the threat of bank
ruptcy. Business has regulated a certain system
Of protective honesty in its transactions that is
More or less compelling; but it is not always the
true instinct of honor.
matters, he will not be in the big things small
promise is the test of mans spiritual honesty just
much as his conduct of trust involving money
or property may be legal test OF his material hon
esty. But fast losing this nice distinction
between the expedient lie and the inherent sense
of truth
luxury of Our prosperity In the triumphs of easy
money has come arrogant indifference to ethical
obligations. The tremendous wave of extravaganza
that has swept the American people in the last
few years has drenched them of right feeling right
thinking. What need is hard times, stress of
fortune cessation of tremendous luck, which will
the degradation of truth, which their present idola
try of the golden calf has brought about. Hard
times will restore honesty, and something is going
to break sooner or later. We were never in such
confusion of principles now.
There time when all detective had to say,
in any part of the world to insure respect, that
he came from Inspector Byrness Office. differ
ence of ethical standards between DR.. Parkhurst
and Mr.. Byrnes himself resulted in attack by
the minister against the Chief OF Police that deposed
f Dm E 10 r aSe Der
You don't say so! Tom Byrnesl Ali" and the
minister adjusted his glasses and looked down at
reminiscent past. 1t the old story,-the reform
parson, who in his early enthusiasm had faced the
Goliath of police department, and having pointed
a moral, found in later years that it had certain
practical defects.
ment, because didn't like his methods but I will
say this: We never had more efficient detective
service than he gave US. He has been to my house
since, and have told him the thing. He
always restored stolen property but he has had rela
tons with the crooks that not officially
rect for in his position. Still, he is leader,
a man of great will power, and we can see by the
rules of perspective that he understood his job"
By Thomas Byrnes. Ex-Chief of Police of New York
THE statement which Mr.. Byrnes makes indicates
that contact with dishonest may reveal
certain impractical phases of honor.
why is there SO much said about dishonesty in
not question that answer without reflect
ing present conditions in New York; and yet /
must try to answer it without doing so, if l can:
because l don't believe there is any department
continually embarrassed by butters-in than
the police. Without using names dates, perhaps
1 can, however, show some of the weak places en-
all interested in police matters any more. not
interested, because know thing or two about
their limitations, and because want to spend the
remaining years of my life in peaceful citizenship.
Still, am human, and mans work is always the
most interesting thing he can talk about.
Il do not believe that dishonest man can be
leader of The Chief of Police must have the
confidence of the entire police force under him, to
man, and that confidence is obtained only according
to his of justice toward them. The in
command must not only be routine commander.
but he must have knowledge of the physical capaci
ties of the human proportions of strength and weak
ness, In the men he commands. He must have
knowledge of the character of their duties. of the
expedient rules that will assist his to perform
them, and then he must compel obedience to these
rules A specification of twenty words, accusing
policeman of breaking order of the department,
is all that is necessary to enforce this discipline.
Long police trials, with philosophic lectures, are