New-York tribune., 1909-05-31
POLICE HONOR HEROES
SERTICE IN C1THEDR1L.
Father CHd5cich 1dJi&cS City's
Guardians on Their Duties.

Two thousand policemen marched Into St. Pat
rick's Cathedral yesterday afternoon to listen 20
q sermon by Father John G. Chidwick. their chap
plain and honor the memory OF police heroes
who have died while performing their duty. About
twenty five widows Of men who gave up their lives
"a the the city IN tn" front pevs. and
behind them. in the two long and vide middle
aisles Uere rnasSed the policemen. under command
of chief Inspector Max Schmittbcrger. Deputy
Commissioners Bugher and Woods and several in
spectors and captains attended the service. Music
was furnished by the police band
MANY large and important bodies "f mon com"
here every year. but none Of them close 10 vs.
as are you said Monsgnor Lavee. who spoke
briefly before Father Chdwick began his address
There has been criticism Of the Police Depart
r,,eut but YOU have grown better for il. ! hope
that this visit will OF the agencies 10 secure
for you perfect efficiency. hope it viii put eour-
age wisdom and strength into the hearts OF you
men
In a sermon full Of wholesome advice Father
Chdw,ick paid a tribute TO the heToeS~ot peSce
VINO dash into flaming tenement houses. face the
.esassin,s revolver grappIe with furious runaways
and perform other deeds OF bravery. and asked II
the Police Department were accorded the o'S'li'-
ton il deserved The contrary had ptth 1'e 'SSe
in the past he said. but the strong hand Of dis
toIira had undoubtedly improved the department.
and made It worthy Of confidence ana hoho''
Father Chadwick said further;
: ad,,ise ,,ou never to fedr strong. determined
bnt lust discipnarian in the chief OF your aepsrt
nuce Of duty lowers standards OF Ideals dem%2IaI- %
izes organization and ruins the individual 5 Pl,I
r1I1+a lion Of every kind and degree. You should
welcome every force that Keeps you . ~ -,
discipline compes you 10 be strong, II Geia' "a i az
ideal and every man Is belIeI "l'0'i ''' - ''''e
according to its stahdaIu'
In voars gone by- no said. the standard had not
1Aen set high. and he declared that it due in no
small measure to the manner in which the game OF
noljtics nterfered with fortunes of the depart
rnent and the private interests Of the men Father
Chdwick continued:
Who is not aware Of the threats and menaces
the favored rich resource Of political lead
er? Who is not aware OF the abuse tlat vas
nnd supported your work when through the intiu-
ence of trucking politicians, the criminal was dis
ofte6 Won had captured at great personal RISK ana
sacrifice? And yet the public. toleratlhs inlS'
blamed you for the continuance OF condlliouS WHICH
to no small degree YOU were prevented from cor
recting-
Father Chidwick said he rejoiced that much. Of
this interference had disappeared. but II not
because OF the public that the Improvement had
taken place il came from the Police Department
itself he asserted from the courageous resistance
TO all interference exhibited by It's head and by the
cooperation of his subordinates and the members
of the department. general. In closing he said:
But ali this interference is not yet swept away
Vice Is still protected by law and safeguarded by
forms of Justice. Not until the public has thrown
off its indifference and inertness viii the protection
of life and property be safeguardad from the miTe
that finds it's way readily In political sys
legislation TO prevent vice the vicious pro-
tect IL win the Police Department attain its high
efficiency.
The service ended with n benediction by Mon
sgnor IAvee.