New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-13
ARRESTS BUT Z PER CENT
0F ALL CRIMES REPORTED
GIaring Police IneffiC'enCy Shown
by the Record of Their Own
"SqueaI Books"
THE LOOT OF GREAT VALUE
Only Six Arrests at West 18th
Street Station for 121
Crimes Committed
in Precinct.
THE LOOT OF GREAT VALUE


in Precinct.
Less than per cent of the com
plants Of crime reported TO the police
under the present administration of the
department. result in arrests. according
20 statistics thus far compiled by the
District Attorneys office under instruc-
tons of the grand jury. which is investi-
eating the subject. The complaints re-
late 10 hurglaries. larcenies. robberies
and assaults and reveal worse state
Of ineficiercy than pictured by the most
drastic critics of the police.
This amazing revelation is tho result
Of 2 comparison Of the complaints en-
tered upon the precinct "squeal books"
with the actual arrests noted In the pre-
oinct blotters made as the result Of the
complaints.
II is part of proposed comparison Of
these figures for the first three months
of the present year with the first three
months of 1909. when Theodore A. Bing-
ham was Commissioners. In this way
the grand jury hopes to be able to prove
by facts and figures that crime has or
has not increased since the Introduction
of Mayor Gaynor's policies for the con-
duct Of the Police Department. and also
70 prove whether the efficiency Of the
force I'm detecting criminals has de-
creased.
"Soueal Books" Shameful Facts.
7, is the intention to tabulate the rec
ords of only half a dozen precincts IN
different parts Of the city to arrive at n
general conclusion. but should the re-
suits warrant q more extended inquiry
the District Attorneys statisticians will
60 into every precinct.
An idea Of the startling condition en-
countered by TIE investigators may be
obtained from tie following facts taken
from the "squea book" and blotter Of
the 22d Precinc., or West 31th street
station.
The complain, or "squeal,' book
shows that during the speriod from Feb
ruary 6 TO Marth Il. 1911. citizens re-
ported 46 burearies. ~ larcenies. II
highway robberes and'9 assaults in that
precinct.
The blotter shows that in these cases
only six arrests were made. Four Of
these arrests were made by uniformed
policemen. who happened to be on the
scene when the crimes were committed.
Two Arrests in III Crimes.
The remaining two arrests are all the
records show 10 offset the remaining III
crimes complained Of and to indicate
the efficiency Of the police in detecting
criminals. a ratio of arrests TO COM
rlaints Of exactly 40 per cent
Earlier in the day, before these facts
I'm the grand jury investigation leaked
cut. Assistant District Attorney Frank
Moss. who is directing the presentation
Of evidence to the investigators. said:
"The inquiry is progressing satisfac-
,orlly. We are making headway every
day. At first. although the evidence ap-
reared to dovetail splendidly, we were
feeling our way in the dark.
AT last however. | have put my
finger on the vital point. 1t is that we
must find out whether the people Of
New York City are getting proper police
service. and If not, why not. The In
ouiry may lead in a number Of directions.
II may lead TO indictments and it may
lead 10 recommendations. II is too early
10 discuss that subject"
More statistics of police administration
faA IN ND
day by Lieutenant Henry Cohen. They
related 10 the records Of the detective
bureau. TO the number Of burglaries, lar
Cenies assaults and robberies during the
last wear. including the value of prop
trtv stolen and the value Of property re-
covered through efforts OF the police.
Wagon Snatchers Unrestrancd.
J., was said that he astounded the
jurors with his figures on the value OF
stclen property. satisfying them that the
newspaper reports Of burelaries. lar
cenies and robberics in this respect were
not al ell exaggerated
In respect TO the number Of wagons
belonging to butchers aud erocerymen
stolen throughout the city. his figures
tailed with those of Charles Haslop.
an officer oS the Groccrs' Association
who also was a witness. They proved
that owners cf scores Of these wagons
lave appealed in vain to the police TO
put an end to the wholesale thevery.
one dealer reported losing Eve wagons
since tho first Of the year, and another
had had six OF them stolen from the
public highway. Neither had ever re-
tcivcd a ray OF hope from the Police
Department that they would see their
property again.
Patrolmcn Hauser and OSullivdn of
the 39th Precinct, told the grand Jury
q the humiliation and expense they were
subjected TO for their diligence i'm ar
resting three burglars members of the
notorious car barn gang in their pre-
cinct Although the burglars were con-
yictcd and sentenced. two 10 Sing Sing
end one TO the pententiary. Police Com
missioner Baker had entertained charges
against the policemen Of Insulting and
abusing citizen made by the bur
glars.
Burglars Charges Dropped.
q. a