New-York tribune., 1909-03-22
BINGHAM ASKS HELP
THE FORCE AND POLITICS.
Wants Patriots to Fight Snpern-
tendent of Police Plan.

poI,oA Commissioner bingham confessed to the
congregation of the Metropolitan Temple last night
his inability TO eradicate the socia! evil. he had
been invited by the pastor. the Rev Or. J. wesley
Hin 70 tell about his department and he took the
opportunity to demand the support OF his hearers
for the proper administration of his office DR. Hill
in introducing him. had made reference to the
women Of the streets The Police Commissioner
declared that unless he had a place IN which TO put
disorderly women he could never eliminate then-
Commissioner Bingham urged his hearers as
petriots TO help defeat the recommendation Of the
proposed new charter that a superintendent OF
poIjce be appointed to assist the Commissioner lie
proposed that they influence their state Senators
and Assemblymen TO take the police out of politics
nv dsaeusnR with their services for state and local
election boards and take the force out OF tempta-
fion by having the sae Excise Board attend TO the
enforcement OF the excise laws.
"one thing want TO say IN regard TO the social
evil the Commissioner said lis that it cannot al
toge+ber he stamped out. With all the activity of
the police we may drive them out Of one neighbor-
hood-there are laws enough. and these may be en-
forced 10 a certain lrnit-but as soon as we stamp
II out IN one locality 1t is bound to crop up IN
another.
I'VE cannot drive these poor unfortunates into
the river We must have place 70 put them. and
# is up to the people OF this town to provide Il
place II YOU give me the place. will put them
there. Until you do. can only continue 10 dIiNe
them from place TO another.
criticism and denunciation. and often from tha
people who should be my friends and strongest
helpers-the church people. want 10 carry away
at least the respect decent and respectable peo-
pie now that I have turned the corner OF my last
year as Commissioner"
You've got a new charter pending that pertains
in a number Of sections the Police Department
There is thing in It that advise you to use
every effort Kill; there some other parts OF
the recommendations that nearly as had, but
I want call particular attention 10 that pro-
vision that seeks 10 reestablsh the superintendent
Of police ! have two reasons for my aversion 10
this provision. One OF these reasons Ia theoretica4
SO long you have police board you need one
head of the Police Department for an executive
A superintendent is then a proper official. In
one-headed commission there Is necessity for a
superintendent; Il IS fatal any good administra
ton.
There can't be two heads 10 single depart
ment. If the law is TO be carried out you can't
place the responsibility II anything happens
think superintendent is impractical. have tried
70 be the level. TO the department strictly
on business principles and TO give favors. OF
course, there Will arise the cry that no man can
understand be familiar with the department
unless he rises from the ranks. But then there
is the trouble that he would be too familiar with
the conditions and would put politics back in the
ment, TO write your opposition to your Assembly
and Senator's
The present election system turns over the en-
tire machinery OF election 10 the police. they have
to attend TO al. the duties that should be per-
formed by the state and local boards o. election
Why can't they get five hundred more deputies
ana az az a'glG 70 men own BUSINESS ana teKe ~ VH %
excise law IS another great trouble and a great
pect. You have the Excise Board, and il gathers
its own work. and call in the police only when 1t
wants TO make arrest?'