New-York tribune., 1909-07-02
THE OLD 4ND THE NEU
Career of Gen, Bingham, His Success
sor and Others Who Loom Large.

General Theodore A Bingham who nas had
more publicity than any police commissioner New
York had with the possible exception of
Dev4ry vas appointed by Mayor Mcclellan on
January / 1915 He has therefore been az the
head or the Police Department for three ara one
half years
Practically hia Arst public utferancs corrrnis-
sioner 'Trl stay honest and I'll do some
1or. st Headquarters" Only few months ago
he announced that h had refused ar offer OF
sS1o00 year If he would comply with certain
conditions" During his entire term in Office he has
stood FOR Capitalization of power in the Conrnis-
soner he advocated term Of nine years for that
of1cial a salary Of $4,000 year. with DEFINITE
immunity from the usual propriety OF resigring
upon g change Of administration.
Other reforms which General Bingham urged
were the addition Of trained men 10 the detective
bureau ana the relieving the police from the en-
forcement Of the election and excise laws He
fought against the three platoon system. He Sc
cured the passage Of bill at Albany giving the
Corhrnmissioner absolute power over his inspectors
IN the matter Of appointment and reduction in
grade Some OF nis ofncIal acts were UNIQUE.
notably an instance when he transferred all rut
one OF the sishty-six police captains
His language at all times original There
was a touch of the buccaneer in his phrasng that
warmed the hearts Of those who believed that the
English language. from parlor usage. losing
its keen edge
Prior 70 becoming Police Commissioner General
bingham then a colonel IN the army was su-
perintendent Of public buildings and grounds in
washington He retired after he had sus
tatned an injury which neoessitatsd the emputa-
ton of his right leg at the knee He made
q brisadier general the dsy before his retirement
in 1904
His successor First Deputy Police Commissioner
William r Baker has been in the department.
since January, 1908 Prior TO that time he was a
Civil Service commissioner. He the head
Of the Brooklyn headquarters for time after
his appointment. and there storm Of protect
when General Bingham transferred him to Man
haitian and put inspector in his place. There
is some doubt about the new Commissioners po-
litical Affiliations, but II said yesterday that
his appointment would not give much comfort 70
Tanmany Hall
with the shake-up IN the adminstra alton Of the
Police Department. has risen from the rank of
patrolman since 1897. Two years ago he became n
Ueutenant, and few months later was appointed
70 the commaand OF the Coney Island station. He
was promoted to an inspectorship in January of
this wear He is forty years old and was born in
the old sashouse district. which Is Charles F.
Murphy's district Kelly s an enthusiastic mem
her of the Anawanda Club and close friend of
the Tammany leader.
Josiah A Stoeer, who succeeds Bert Hanson as
Third Deputy Police Commissioner, has been an
assistant corporation counsel since November 1906
He attracted the attention of Mayor Mcclellan
during the crusade against Sunday theatrical per
forunances. and his appointment to his present
position was at the Mayors dictation.