New-York tribune., 1910-01-20
BAKER SMILES NOW
AFTER SEEING MAYOR
Latter Thinks Time Is Needed
TO Break Up Clubbing.

There is no basis for the rurnor that
Mayor Gaynor is dissatisfied with the work
of Police Commissioner Baker and that he
will soon replace him. The Mayor does not
feel that the Commissioner should be un-
duly censured for the apparent outbreak
Of clubbing in the department. He IS
aware that il is custom of long standing
in the force and TO break it up requires
patience as we'll as vigor
The Mayor is OF the opinion that the
clubs with which policemen are equipped
are meant 10 be used only in cases where
the lives of the officers are actually in
danger. and are not intended as a handy
aid in making an ordinary arrest. The
Mayor remembers the time some years ago
when the head of the department took the
club away from the members of the force.
and there is a possibility that this drastic
remedy for clubbing may be resorted TO
again in case milder measures are not sue
cessful-
Mayor Gaynor has taken an active hand
in the investigation of alleged police out
RACES, because he wanted TO become more
familiar with the so-calied police system
He has had Commissioner Baker before
him several times that he might get the
benefit of his knowledge Of the department
and make him more familiar with his ideas
of the way policemen should conduct them
selves. Commissioner Baker has expressed
his willingness 10 manage the department
according to the ideas of the Mayor and
the latter is willing that he should have
ample opportunity TO show that he can do
SO. After an hours talk with the Mayor
Yesterday Commissioner Baker showed
more confidence that he would retain his
jon than he has exhibited heretofore.
Commissioner Baker announced yesterday
the dismissal from the force of Patrolman
John ". Mann, Of the Mercer street sta
ton. who on the evening of January S.
while intoxicated. il was charged at his
trial on Tuesday. assaulted a man he had
arrested. and then rained blows on pedes-
trians who sought IN interfere or reproved
him for his actions. Evidence was entered
against Mann by several civilians and pc
lice officials including Captain Henry. of
The Mercer street station, and DR. Donlin.
the police surgeon
To Brooklyn police clubbers an example
pregnant with warning was given yester-
day in state street headquarters. John ].
Walsh. Third Deputy Police Commissioner,
who is the trial judge of the Police Depart
uent. recommended for dismissal Patrol
man George ]. Hansen, of the Adams street
station, and Police Commissioner Baker
said last evening that he would dismiss
Hansen from the force to-day.
Hansens shield was removed from his
coat by Inspector Dillon in the presence of
his fellows. The opinion was expressed
that the police Of Brooklyn would forego
the pastime of swinging their clubs upon
inoffensive citizens.
Hansen was charged with intoxication
and with having assaulted John T. Mullen,
Laughlin Park on the night of December
20. Hansen admitted that he had been
drinking at the time. but he denied the
assault.
Detectives John {. Groh and Frederick
Mus. of Inspector Dillon staff. in Brook
lyn. looked glum after they had heard of
Hansen's suspension These two detectives
ere the men accused of having assaulted
William Donald and John Farrell in their
home No. 60 High street Brooklyn, on
Tuesday morning. in the presence Of the
mems wives. The detectives were held in
500 bail each in the Adams street police
court, and will be examined on Friday in
tho same court
Deputy Police Commissioner Reynolds, in
charge OF Brooklyn. is taking leaf from
the book Of cX-President Roosevelt when
The latter was a Police Commissioner. Mr..
Reynolds spends his evenings in strolling
about the precincts Of Brooklyn. and al
ready the citizens of that borough are no
icing that tho -olice beats are being pa
rroled scrupulously for the first time in
years.
IT IS believed that Chief Inspector Schmitt-
lerger's call upon the Mayor yesterday had
10 do with the discipline of the Police De-
partment in reference to the clubbing cases
50 called. The Mayor was asked what he
wanted to see Schmittberger about. and
replied that he had nothing TO say on the
subject. Schmittberger was equally reti-
cent when the matter was put up to him