New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-01
JOKER" IN POLICE BILL
Disclosed 1t Would Deprive Com
missioner of Transfer Power.
MAYOR VETOES MEASURE
Writes Memorandum Attacking
Contemplated Law as Spe-
cial Legislation.

Twenty-one legislative bills passed before
the Mayor yesterday al a public hearing
on the measures damned through during
the last few days OF the session, and most
OF them fell by the wayside. The amend
ment to the three-platoon police bill ex-
empting the traffic squad was among them.
In the hearing on the police bill 1t was
discovered that some one had slipped In
perfectly fine little '.Joker' when would
not only make the traffic squad exempt
from the shifts OF the three platoon sys-
tenn, but would also make It mandatory on
the Police Commissioner 10 keep on the
traffic squad all those men who are now
on It. No transfer to other berths, at the
discretion Of the Commissioner. was the
real meaning of the little 'joker," and COM
missioner Waldo thought that was going
altogether too far in the matter OF Keep
ing the traffic squad intact
II was Commissioner Waldo's idea to
have the amendment keep the traffic squad
intact by exempting it from the provisions
of the three platoon bill. but he did not
want TO have the traffic squad moulded
over into an lronbound institution that the
Commissioner couldn't touch.
Henry IL. 1ONi t, pltcibtht VI VIZ
chants Association, which has been active
i'm an effort to keep the traffic SQUAD intact
explained to the Mayor that Senator Wag
ner had told him that the amendment was
an error and would be repaired at the
legislative session in September, hut COM
missioner Waldo declared that rs Drawn at
present II was very Objectionable TO the de-
partment. and he thought he could so
manage as to hold the traffic squad intact
until September without the aid OF TINS
questionable amendment
Mayor Gives Reasons for Veto.
In his disapproval of the bill Mayor Cay
nor wrote the following memorandum:
I am constrained to refuse to accept TINS
hill for the city. II IS an amendment vi
the general act recently passed cohceIHlns
traffic squads In cities, ana oeeisi,eu w.
move the mischief Of that act In respect
of the city of New York, but IN place III
doing II it adds 10 the trouble by eNcet1Ins
from its operation members OF the loiG &c
who were detailed to the traffic squad
on December 81 last. The erect OF t,s
is to keep those persons In the traInc
squad whether they are wanted there VI
The Commissioner should have power TO
tal,e mon ont OF the traffic squad at WI.
and put others in their places rms pill -
designed 10 keep in the traffic squad those
there now. / am also OF OPINION thal
tho general act which this hill purports 70
amend is void. II purports to he passed
under that section Of the constltu',yn
which allows nm act, applicable 10 an t.e
cities 81 A class or OF All the classes 10
become law without the acceptance OF the
MAYORS of such cities, whereas any Such
legislation for city has 10 be accepted py
the Mayor thereof , -, ALL.
nrovision OF the constitution Is one when
ia i'm terms the same for all Of me Clues.
II certainly does not conternpidi" ia"
u-btcb Is different for different cities. Tnat
is special legislation under the suise OF Il
general law.
When word reached Police Headquarters
that Mayor Gaynor had vetoed the amend
ment. Commissioner Waldo gave out the
following statement concerning MS pans
for the traffic squad.
The men At present doing duty on the
traffic squad Will continue as rathc men
In order 10 comply with the so-called
jackson law" giving all policemen DONG
duty I'm the open air three plstoonS' IL WIZ
be necessary. 10 add two hundIeo ilei -, ~
the present traffic squad. NJ present , Inere
are four hundred men on trafic dutN- ln'Se
now two hundred men VIII he selecteh iIou'
members OF the department VINO nave a.
ready served on the traffic squad. franc
uiU H., regulated from tomorrow morning
ON under tho same head and supervision
2 formerly The inspector IN conmanq Oh
the captains of the various traInc, s
will remain IN chaIec OF NV 80
These six hundred traffic men VIII be as, as,
signed TO various precincts, TWO uuilu. -
doing duty on each Of the three pldIooHs'
Tho traffic men on the first ana second p'a-
ICONS will nc detailed TO trafhc duty az
heretofore The traffic men, ON tne 'rlII r.
platoon. or night platoon VIII perform Tbs
illar police work, including reserve i"-
pIstoons change every week
pavren. Of Gayror Physicians.
Tho question Of the payment of the ply
s;c,ans Who attended tho Mayor last SUM
,.ber bo was shot by n diseruntled
..,,rio,.< ~ the Dock Department, came mp
-, .bo consideration Of bill introduced
.. ,,a las, session providing that the doc
tors who attended the Mayor. and also
any doctors bills made necessary IN me
future nv any similar unfortunate accl-
dent 70 2 city official. be paid by the city.
orbe biIl ought 10 he paid by the city
as matter of simple justice to tn" dig
nifty If tho city" said President Towne OF
tho Merchants Association. II sincerely
trust that no feeling Of gentlenoss on your
mart will urge YOU to disapprove Of the
til"
Mayor Gaynor observed that he had not
asked for the bill, and Mr.. Tovnc declared
the bin had been drawn and passed with
out the Mayors knowledge The Mayor
added that he had repeatedly asked the
physicians who attended him to render
him bill. but they had refused.
They say they never will render me a
bill" said the Mayor, ''and unless they
are paid In this way. by the city, they
never will ba paid