New-York tribune., 1909-06-06
MAY REMOVE BINGHAM
M4YOR'S PATIENCE GONE,
SAY POLITICIANS.
Walter BenseL Slated to Succeed
Police Commissioner, City Hall
Gossip Has 1t.

to the investigation of Justice Gaynor's charges
against Commissioner Bingham and the Police
Department in the Duffy ''mugging" case has
convinced many politicians who keep in touch
with the Mayor and his political family that if
the evidence bears out Justice Gaynors inter
probation Commissioner Bingham viii be re-
moved. His removal, technically chargeabIe to
the Duffy case in reality would be attributable
to accumulation of affairs individually small
but in the gross destructive Of the Mayors
patience and esteem for the Commissioner, these
politicians say.
1t is known that the Mayor not great while
ago went far to consult DR.. Walter Ben
sci. sanitary superintendent, about his willing
ness to serve if a vacancy occurred at the head
Of the Police Department The contingency
which the Mayor then had in mind failed 10 ap-
pear. and change made. But City Hall
men. who know the Mayors regard for DR.. Ben
sci, privately discussing the likelihood of his
being pushed into the Police Department breach
If affairs should go against Bingham. as he was
into the gap In the Street Cleaning Department
Mayor McClenan's long standing friendship
for General Bingham strained almost to
the breaking point by the Police Commissioners
speech last month at the dinner Of the Ethical
Social League at the Park Avenue Hotel There
Commissioner Bingham gave utterance to senti-
ments which We're interpreted generally as a
direct slap at the Mayor.
BINGHAM'S FAMOUS FAUX PAS
IF you want clean town" said he you
want to elect a Mayor this fall that's man
a business man. competent to tackle anything
or to get some who is competent TO tackle
II for him. Get a man who will get you clean,
honest. straightforward Commissioner Of Police.
who can continue to clean out the force"
When the papers the next morning contained
that report Of the Police Commissioners words
thora lCI1 all WA. frnr
street 10 the City Hall There was some activ-
lty at No. 300 Mulberry street, also. Soon
after he got to his office COMMISSIONS Bingham
got into communication with the Mayor and de
clared fervently that he hadn't meant his
speech to reflect in any way on the present in
cumbent of the Mayors job. What he really
meant he said, TO advise the guests at
that dinner to elect man after Mayor McCleI-
lans stamp.
That explanation was entered on the records
and the incident was closed-for the time. II
is considered significant. in the leht Of later
events that from that time Commissioner
Bingham known among Mayor McCletIan's
ntimates as the ''Babbng Brigadier"
This was only instance. II the political
straws truly indicate which way -he wind is
blowing of the affairs which broke into the
swee: harmony between Mayor Mcclellan and
his Police Commissionrr. Many had preceded II
small things surely not of sufficient moment
TO cause an executive to rake over the Goals
one Of his cldef officeholders. bat big enough TO
be remembered when other affairs ~ somewhat
similar nature were occurring from time To
time Then came the Coney Island affair into
which the Mayor was dragged by Commissioner
Bingham the Mayors friends maintain. That
added TO the strained feeling between the two
DUFFY CASE THE LAST STRAW"
And finally came the Duffy case. In the po-
litical gossip around City Hall this was con-
sidered the last straw" It presented straight
forward charges. brought by a man of standing
in the community. 1t a case which could
not be overlooked; it was Of such nature
when pressed by Justice Gaynor to warrant
the Mayor according TO the views held by some
of his friends I'm removing the Police Commits
sioner II the evidence showed Justice Gaynors
contentious 10 be correct
"Gaynor may have produced that first letter TO
the Mayor for political purposes or he may not
have thought of politics" said one of the
Mayors friends in commenting on the case.
But there material there TO be investi-
gated and. if necessary. 10 be used
Mayor Mcclellan, In deciding To sit a mag
istrate in the Duffy case and personally to ex-
anime Duffy and his parents, showed plainly his
state of mind to the political world. II a
proceeding almost unprecedented for him. The
nearest he came to it was when he in
Haffen cases and forwarded it to Governor
Hughes with recommendation for action He
took up this Duffy case after consultation with
William Beers Crowell, Assistant Corporation
Counsel. his friend and legal adviser. and Jus
tive Franklin Chase Hoyt, in whose advice he
places great trust.
Not point has been overlooked in the ex-
animation of the up to date Tomorrow
the Mayor personally will examine Duffy, his |
an >
The result of this will be contradict if not to
discredit the police case against Duffy. In the |
Judgment of those who have followed this case |
since Duffys employers, neighbOrs and Justice |
Gaynor who made thorough investigation be-
fore he took up the question. join in declaring |
that the youth is no criminal
Political gossip in fixing on Or. Walter Bensel |
as Commissioner Bngham's successor, if the |
Mayor should oust Bingham. harks back to the |.
time when the Commissioner advocating a |
bill TO give the Police Commissioner a ten-year |
term at a salary considerably larger than his |
present income. The Mayor at that time told |
friends. il is understood that If the bill were |
passed by the Legislature he would veto It II |
II were passed mis- veto and signed by the
Governor he said he would remove Bingham |
before it could take effect and appoint some |
one else 1t was at that time some OF his |
friends have been saying the last few days |
that he approached DR.. Bensel TO ascertain If |
he would be willing to be pitchforked into the |
Police Commissionership.
The Mayor has high regard for Dr. Bensel |
He believes he has made good everywhere he
has been tried, and that he is the kind of man |
to make good in any place. When Foster Crow
ell in the Mayors judgment. proved ineffective |
as Street Cleaning Commissioner, at the time |
of the garbage strike DR. Bensel was chosen |
TO whip the department into good working or |
der When the big cave-in of some water mains
Ia-t