The sun., 1909-02-28
WIEN BINGHAM WILL RESIGN
WHEN ALB Any IMPOSES on
HIM 4 UNIFORMED CHIEF.
Police OGght Not to supervise Liquor
saloons Or Eleetions-segregatio tion
the Best Way OF Handling the Social
Evil -Grady's school Census scheme.

the Best Way Of Handling the Social
ESil-Grady's school Census scheme.
Police conditions In this city occupied
the attention Of the members of the City
Club yesterday afternoon when they had
an opportunity after luncheon to hear
many aspects Of the situation discussed
by Commissioner Bingham. DR.. Walter
Bensel. sanitary superintendent. and DR.,
John p. Peters.
Commissioner Bingham said that, as he
understood his Office. he was an eIecu-
tive and not a lobbyist or legislator.
But the fact that he was on the last year
Of his term and had had chance to observe
the way things in the city were carried
on made 1t possible for him 10 make
certain frank and straightforward state
ments about police matters. The police
have too much to do, according TO the
Commissioner.
Take them away from the excise
business" he said, Sand let them make
arrests in excise cases only when they
are called upon or when it is necessary
for them to stop disorderly conduct
resulting from the abuse Of the excise
law. Take them away from elections
and let the election officials look after
their own business Then he spoke Of
the law which had been passed providing
for permanent census board, composed
Of the Mayor, the Superintendent Of
Education and the Police Commissioner,
and calling for a complete census Of
children between the ages OF four and
eighteen. Though ostensibly advanced
by the Board of Education. the Commits
sioner declared it was really the work Of
Senator Grady, and he laid emphasis
upon the provision contained in it which
permitted the board TO appoint secretaries
and Clerks not subject to the Civil Service
Commission and extra policemen, all
of whose salaries were to be fixed by the
census board. He declared that II was
political machine, and that he brought
message from the Mayor asking the
members Of the City Club to do everything
in their power to bring about its repeal.
Its because Of the Indifference of the
citizens that you got yourselves into
tho shape that found you in.' he said.
"and you aren't whole lot better now.
The law breaking element has succeeded
in putting the law preserving element
On tho defensive and it doesn't seem
10 worry you any. But certain leglsla-
ton has been introduced at Albany which
has been intended TO weaken the powers
Of the Police Department. Are you
send any Of you the numbers Of these
ills and you can beat them II you have
he inolination.'
Gen. Bingham said he believed that
photographing Of persons arrested with
good evidence on serious charges" should
not be discontinued. II was impossible !
for the police to work efficiently, he de- |
olared. unh So they could lay hold Of |
plctups Of s,spected persons, although |
lie believed that when a person had been |
proved innocent the plate should be de- |
stroyed and the photographs given to |
the former suspect.
Then the Commissioner had something |
to say about the social evil.
They tell me no one dares TO talk for |
segregation. =, Well, ! do! l believe that !
II 10 the best solution of the problem. |
Now a number Of well meaning people |
who have criticised me have been the |
cause OF spreading the social evil.
am Tor segre CATION, not neo ssarily |
Licensing prostitution but putting It |
of the city where It can be controlled /
You can't abolish 1t, but a good Police |
Commissioner with men under him who |
will carry out orders can reduce il to a
Ininimum Why. il you knew what l
know about white slave traffic in this city |
il would break your heart. Now IL we
allowed these girls to ply their trade
do away with the class of men who live
upon their earnings"
The Police Commissioners term should
te ten years. Gen. Bingham said Re-
garding a uniformed chief he said: -All
This talk about rising from the ranks
is utterly absurd. Such an officill would
be absolutely fatal TO the good govern
Inent Of the force, for he would be simply
the tool Of politicians. IL such an Office
J, n--ated before my time is up you can
expect TO see my resignation
Dr.. Bense also thought that segre-
cation was the best way OF dealing with
the social evil