New-York tribune., 1911-02-12
POLICE HEADS AT WAR
Cropsey Takes Over Control Of
Detectives from Flynn.
GAYN0R TO END DISPUTE
Secretive Policy Of Flynn Said to
Have Aroused Ire of His
Civilian Superior.

The differences between Police Conm,,.
sioner Cropsey and William j. Flynn. sec.
ond Deputy Commissioner. I'm direct charp.
OF the detective force, were said at Pollcs
! Headquarters yesterday to have reached
point where the retirement OF one or thu
other could not be avoided much longer
These differences were said 10 have com.
from the irreconciable position Of trained
| criminal expert OF long years experience
placed in Job subordinate 10 civilian OF.
| fetal
Although rumors OF friction in the de-
| partment had become public before, none
of them was so circumstantial Mr. Flynn
refused to say anything about tho reports
in any way when they were called 10 lis
attention yesterday.
| The present fight was said 10 have start
ed when Commissioner Cropsey made de-
mand on Flynn for list OK the men he had
out on special assignment. This Flynn re-
fused point blank to give him. lie said IL
the identity Of the men he had on this
special work became known their lives
would be imperilled and his efforts to sup
press the work Of the Italian Black Hand
would be frustrated. Following the meth
DDS he had employed in the government
Secret Service he intended 20 guard in
every way against leaks in his department
By keeping all such knowledge 20 himself
Commissioner Cropsey was said TO have
been angered at the possibility OF his be-
ing considered a leak and 10 have re-
Piled sharply that as head OF tho depart
ment he was entitled TO know everything
that was being done In tho subordinate Of
fees. Flynns answer was that his appoint
ment was A personal matter between him
and the Mayor and that he had been given
carte blanche TO use his own methods in
dealing with the criminal elements in the
city.
Cropsey and Flynn have not spoken for
two weeks. All necessary official COM
munication between their two offices have
been carried on through their secretaries.
II was pointed out by Flynn's friends az
HEADQUARTERS that his methods were sue
cessful in bringing to book "Lupo the
Wolf" and his gang Of counterfeiters, mur-
derers and kidnappers. They said the Com
missioner was Jealous because the Hons
share of the credit had gone 20 his Sec
ond Deputy.
Failing to get the secret lists from Flynn.
Cropsey was said 10 have resorted 10 other
means TO secure control of the work OF the
detective bureau. Last Saturday night he
, made an unexpected midnight call at the
bureau, and ordered Captain Murphy, VINO
was In charge, to produce the book In Nhich
all telephone calls from detectives were re-
corded He also asked tor other record
books Of the bureau. He then asked Cap
tain Murphy a number of questions, ana
finally for the names Of five leutensnts
capable OF taking charge Of the detective
bureau. Captain Murphy did this and the
Commissioner left without further COM
nent.
Yesterday morning the Commissioner
purpose was revealed when the five men
whose names had been given him were as
signed to desk duty in the detective bureau
aking the places of Captains Murphy ana
Linden, who were personal selections al
Flynn, in full charge at night during the
hours when Inspector Russell was absent.
These two captains were transferred 10
Brooklyn stations last Wednesday by Crop
sey.
Flynn was plainly chagrlned by TINS
move. This was said 10 be the tnal turn
in the dissensions OF the two officials. ana
one that could only result In their troubles
being taken down TO the City Hall and LAID
he }ore Mayor Gaynor. IL was declared that
this action would finally decide whether
Cropsey would remain at the head OF tue
police or whether his place would oe ldheu
by Flynn.