New-York tribune., 1909-07-05
HEADQUARTERS GOSSIP
BAKER TAKES DAYS REST.
Probable Transfers Discussed by
Men-Burfeinds Chances.

1t was a quiet day for the Police Department
yesterday, after the storm OF the last few days
Neither Commissioner Baker nor any Of his depu-
ties reported at Police Headquarters, but things
went there Just as they have for the last few
years. Sunday IS usually a very quiet day at
Headquarters. and the men duty there yester-
day had plenty of opportunity to discuss the situa-
ION as 1t stands and make all sorts of propheses.
1t the same in all the station houses, but the
captains themselves were keeping pretty quiet, for
at present one knows who is right with the
new Commissioner
Commissioner Baker kept to himself pretty much
yesterday, and seemed glad that day Of rest
had come. He avoided all interviews, but it was
said that there would be transfers or appoint
ments until tomorrow at least.
AS far as First Deputy Commissioner Bugher Is
concerned. the situation is not worrying him in
the least He has always kept out OF the petty
squabbles of the department. and has seemed
contented II they would leave him alone with his
hobby and pride. the traffic squad. 1t has been
Bugher's ambition to make this branch of the de-
partment the best in the world, and even the
harshest critics OF the Bingham regime admit
that he has done that. The making and breaking
of inspectors the transferring Of men around cleo
tion time. etc. have had interest for Bugher;
he just wanted the absolute control of the traffic
squad, and had it under Bingham, and viii have
1t under Baker. 1t was with this condition that
he accepted the post of first deputy.
Just who Will be appointed inspector to succeed
inspector hOahan, VINO was pTOhlOlSu 10 tiIe PO9N
Of borough inspector. succeeding Captain Russeu,
who was reduced and sent the goats" is a
question that is causing much attention. To the
policemen themselves Captain Burfend. OF the East
20 street station is the "one best bet"
Captain Burfeind was an inspector up TO a few
months ago and had charge Of the second inspec-
ton district, which takes in the districts in which
the Sullivan clan holds power. General Bingham
after the Sullivans and their allies at the
time, and Burfeind sent there to clean up
Clean up he did. far vice was concerned, but
when Il came to strict enforcement Of Sunday
and amusement laws he baked. Burfeind was
a personal friend OF man close 10
Commissioner Bingham. and this friend begged
him TO obey the Commissioner and let the Sulli-
vans 20 by the board. but Burfelnd was too shrewd
a politician and remembered the old cry Of the
cops: Commissioners may come and Commis-
souers may so. but Wen be here forever For
thls state of mind he rudely reduced and sent
up 90 the East I'D street station the "sashouse'
district and the home and stronghold Of Charles
F Murphy.
To succeed Burfeind. General Bingham sent IN
spector Russell. who had come into the Hmelight
by giving the West g7th street precinct such
cleaning up as it had never had before-not a
moral cleaning up. but where Russell and his
plalnclothes men travelled about twenty hours out
Of the twenty-four and administered Law and Jus
tIce at the end OF nightstick conveniently car
rted UP the sleeve Russell did clean up the dis
trlct the satisfaction OF Bingham, and got his
reward In the shape or the borough inspectorship
OF Brooklyn But when the crash came he got
the punishment that Burteind was wise enough 10
avoid.
Those who know say that the Boweryites have
not forgotten Burfend. and now that they will
have some Of the say No 800 Mulberry street
II IS expected that they VIII reward him. Along
tho Bowery they are still telling the story which
By the way was never printed. about Russell IN
pursuit Of "A handbook man in the Occidental Hotel
lie broke in Il door. behind which was seated one
OF the Sullivan clan and a Tammany magistrate
Unabashed by such notables he looked the room
over and departed while his plainciothes men,
without the confidence In General Bingham that
their leader had trembed for lie day OF reckoning
which they knew would come.
Whether Chief Inspector schmttberger will be
deposed IL another question. big Max" as his
friends call him. has had many ups and downs
IN the department no ever knows where to find
him one day he IS n captain and the next chief
inspector OF the department. over the East Side
they say that he has not only not been forgotten,
but also not forgiven. and that another man Will
take his place Inspector James Thompson's name
leading the possible candidates. They say that
schmittberger will be sent back 10 the traffic squad
TO aid Bugher. whose friend ne IS.
There s doubt in the minds OF all who are
supposed that Acting Inspector Boettler.
Of the traffic squad. viii be transferred. After his
career in the West SOth station, Boettler.
Adoo to the woods OF Staten Island. and there he
remained FOR several years despite the efforts Of
some Of his friends to bring him back. Commits
sloner Bingham discovered him there day.
brought him back and made him captain and
then within few weeks acting inspector.