New-York tribune., 1910-09-20
Think BAKERS SCALP
IS IN THE BALANCE
Mitchell HurriedIy OF to St.
James After Getting Police
Heads Letter.
BEFORE GRAND JURY TO-DAY
Acting Mayor Says He Will
Gladly Aid Investigation of
Gambling and Disorderly
Houses.

Acting Mayor Mitchell took hurriedly
planned trip to St. James last night TO
confer with Mayor Gaynor on the reply
of Police Commissioner Baker to his let
ter. in which Mr.. Mitchell accused the
Police Department of gross neglect Of
duty in the matter Of gambling and dis
orderly houses.
Mr. MitchePs attitude. when he an
nOunced Just before leaving the City
Hall last night that he was going to see
Mayor GaynOr Immediately. convinced
ing Mayor believes a grave situation has
arisen in the Police Department. stu
alton that calls for instant action
The acting Mayors attitude toward
the Police Commissioner. and the sharp
rebuke he gave that official in the letter
which he made public Friday left no
room for doubt that if his views of the
situation obtains with Mayor GaynOr,
N-r. Bakers resignation from the Police
Department will be announced immedi-
ately
Mr.. Mitchell refused to give out the
commissioner letter until he had con-
ferred with the Mayor.
The acting Mayor will appear at II
o'clock this morning. in answer to a sum
mons. before the grand jury which. with
District Attorney Whitman, is beginning
an investigation Of the gambling and
disorderly houses.
When Mr.. Mitchell made public his
letter to the Police Commissioner con-
cerning the alleged laxity of the police
in this matter, the acting Mayor was
asked whether his singing reprimand
of Mr. Bakers handling of the Police
Department was likely to be followed by
a request for that officials resignation.
Unwilling TO Dismiss Any One.
His reply was that he did not consider
n proper for a man holding anothers
place temporarily to dismiss any one.
7 would not consider such a course"
said Mr. Mitchell on Friday. except for
very. very grave reasons"
He was asked last night whether Mr.
Bakers reply was insubordinate or
grave reason"
II have Mr. Bakers reply. and I am
going TO consult with Mayor Gaynor
about it, replied Mr. Mitchell I will
not make it public until after talk with
the Mayor. and you must draw your
own inferences-'
It is well known that the acting Mayor
does NOT approve the present method Of
conducting the Police Department. par
ticularly with respect 70 the wav the de-
partment has handled the gambling and
disorderly element He pointed out last
week that six investigators under his
direction were able in few DAYS TO dis
cover the existence Of eleven disorderly
places. all operating. as Mr.. Mitchell put
il. under the very eyes Of the police.
and he said he could not understand why
the Police Commissioner delayed his
moves against the gambling houses until
he was prodded by the letter from the
Mayors office.
In his letter TO the Police Commits
sioner Mr Mitchell. after declaring that
the police are grossly dereliCt in their
failure to enforce the law" and that the
conditions could not have existed or con-
tinued without the connivance Of the
police" directed the Commissioner 10 at
once place on trial the responsible Of
ficers In the 32d street case
Rlanres Steps Police Took.
The "32d street case" mentioned by
Mr. Mitchell was one based on a com
plant that certain house in that street
was a disorderIy place The acting
Mayor in letter To the Police Commits
sioner dated August 16. called II 10 Mr.
Bakers attention, and a subsequent in
Continued third nas..