New-York tribune., 1909-02-20
BINGHAM SWINGS OUT
.SPARS WITH ALDERMEN.
.Sous He's Boss and Brooklyn Can
Haze a Deputy Commissioner.

a.
81 want you to understand that there are no
grub stake clubs in the Police Department
and no Eet-rich-ouick schemes said Commits
sio,er Bingham Yesterday TO the police commit
zee Of the Board Of Aldermen and to Alderman
Redmond especially. The Commissioner was a
witness at q hearing on q resolution provlolne
for an inquiry into the reason why the findings
OF the Kings County grand jury regarding police
admins nsstrstion had not been conformeo TO-
Alderman Redmond introduced the resolution
which brought out General Bingham as a Wit
ress and consequently the Brooklyn City Father
came in for a big part of the Commissioners
wrath.
Il an thrilled by the patriotism Of Alderman
Redmond" said the Commissioner as a starter
1T is too bad. by CAD. Mr- York has not been
made a deputy commissioner" Then he said
10 the Broolynites:
~I tried 70 get YOU headquarters in Brook
lyn, and it's your own fault you haven't one
O'Keeffe had the site and had the picture. and
you beat il yourselves
.~There'u be no one but me in absolute charge
while I'm Commissioner. One or the other has
70 get out. get the blame and am responsible
and just hold all in the hollow of my hand
The Commissioner explained the reason why he
had taken Deputy Commissioner Baker away
from Brooklyn was because there was work Tor
him in Manhattan. 'I tried TO get a fifth
deputy commissioner and got the merry ha, ha!
There's Just as much headquarters as ever
tn Brooklyn continued the Commissioner. ~ex-
cept there's deputy sitting on a chair when
could be getting work out of him
Alderman Redmond then took hand. asking
The Commissioner some questions about the
findings of the grand jury and Judge Dike's de-
cision.
81 don't know what Judge Dixie said" replied
the Commissioner. but stand for what he
said Put IL in the records
The Alderman wanted 10 know If he had not
lost confidence in Commissioner Baker. General
Bingham warmly responded that he had not
Isn't every old detective in Brooklyn out
now?" asked Mr.. Redmond, and the Commits
sioner replied:
Yes; an6 some Of 'em may get back If they
behave themselves"
The Alderman suggested borough inspector
had been put in charge who did not know
Brooklyn conditions
You don't know any more about them than
he" said Redmond, and the Commissioner hotly
asked:
How co you know don't7 But I'm not on
examination, you know
Redmond spoke Of a parade in Brooklyn.
where there were a great many policemen who
vzere not needed. and the Commissioner asked
him how he knew they were not needed The
Alderman tried to reply and Commissioner
Bingham asked him:
do you know what you are talking about?"
II think Co." replied Alderman Redmond
We'll don't think you do, replied General
Bingham
IF YOU Brooklynites want deputy in abso-
lutte charge over there" said the Commissioner.
go after him in legislation. There's no other
wav YOU can get him. won't give him 10
you"
I'VE feel we're not being properly treated over
there" said Alderman Redmond feebly.
Then go to the Mayor, not me-" retorted the
Commissioner. I'm the boss
i an here Just TO accommodate the alder
men ard not because I am obliged to be- said
Commissioner Bingham TO Tribune reporter
before he went on the stand. "As 1 COM
ing into the room I ran into Alderman Little
Tim Sullivan and he said; Go in and be
polite 20 the boys and make them feel good.
We all know that haven't any jurisdiction,
but It will make them feel better If you talk
TO them That's about the size Of il.
This discussion about a headquarters in
Brooklyn is all 7ubdub. and the kickers know
It As a result Of shifting the deputies to Null
berry street the efficiency Of the men has been
improved. and I have q closer touch with every
thing than had before. The shoe pinches most
over the transfer Of the boiler inspection bureau.
There were certain persons in Brooklyn who
wanted the bureau kept there They had their
own reasons for wanting il. I wanted II diff
ferent, and as 1 responsible for the depart
ment I made the change