New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-20
BUCHER MAY QUIT TODAY
Sighted by Reduction in Rank,
Resignation Is Looked For.
PUT IN CHARGE OF BROOKLYN
Mayor Defers to Baker, Long at
Odds with Deputy, in Allow
ing Humiliation.

Frederick H. Bugher was reduced IN
rank yesterday from First Deputy to
Second Deputy Police Commissioner. and
the headquarters in Brooklyn. AS a re-
suit it was believed last night that he
would resign to-day. Commissioner
Baker and Mr.. Bugher came to the part
ing of the ways some time ago, and
since then their relations have been so
strained that the work of the depart
ment has suffered, I'm the opinion of
those conversant with it.
Confronted with the necessity of sep
arating the two men, the Mayor de-
cided that it would be best to have Mr..
Bugher go to Brooklyn. 1t was not
necessary, however, TO reduce him in
rank, because the First Deputy has fire.
Quently been stationed there, notably in
the case of Commissioner Baker him
self when he was under Commissioner
Bingham. Before that First Deputy
Commissioner O'Keeffe, whose place he
took, was in charge IN Brooklyn. F. H
z. Ebstein. under Commissioner Greene,
was also in Brooklyn as First Deputy.
Commissioner Baker, however, per-
have the First Deputy with him at Head
quarters So Second Deputy Commits
sioner Kirby has been made First Dep
uty The arrangement provides that
Louis H. Reynolds, Fourth Deputy Com
missioner. who has been in charge in
Brooklyn since the first of the year. is
to come to Manhattan to take charge of
the Bureau Of Supplies and Repairs
Mr.. Bugher got an inkling of what
was coming on Wednesday and tried to
see the Mayor, but went away after
waiting some time Yesterday, how
ever, MIR. Bugher had an extended talk
with the Mayor. 1t is said that he told
him frankly that he did not relish the
in rank and stood ready to
hand in his resignation at once.
The Mayor tried to persuade him to
remain, and Mr.. Bugher yielded TO the
extent of saying that he would think
about the matter over night. It was
pointed out to Mr. Bugher that the post
in Brooklyn was one of great RESPONSE
bility; that the salary of Second Deputy
was the same as that of the First Dep
uty-it was raised to $4,000 recently
and that the question of rank was
merely nominal
Mr. Bugher, who cares not a fig for
the salary. but does think a good deal Of
the prestige which rank gives. could not
see the matter in the same light as the
Mayor. He knows of ways in which the
can limit the scope of his
activities If he chooses so to do.
Commissioner Baker has been anxious
to get Mr. -Bugher out of the depart
ment, but the Mayor has had a high
opinion of him and has wanted him to
remain. The Mayor. however. has de-
ferred to the wishes of the Commits
sioner. and there seems to be little doubt
that Mr.. Bugher will not submit TO the
slight.
Mr. Bugher has been in the depart
ment since 1906. when he became secre-
tary To Deputy Commissioner McAvoy.
ond Deputy by Commissioner Bingham
and placed in charge of the traffic
squad. which he developed to its pres
ant degree OF efficiency. One of the
things that cut him most was when
Baker took the traffic
squad out of his control a month or so
ago. Then the Commissioner made him
the office next TO his own and III
stalled Mr.. Kirby.