New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06
PERMITTED TO QUIT
POLICE UNDER CHARGES
Ex-Convict and Others, When
Exposed, Allowed to Resign
"for Good of the Service"
LITTLE LIGHT FROM M'KAY
Fails to Explain to Aldermen
Policy of Present Administra-
ton in Letting Gases
Go by Default.

Go by Default.
The policy Of the present police
administration under Commissioner
! Waldo Of accepting the designations OF
men under charges rather than 10 bring
them to trial at Police Headquarters
and air the complaints was the prin-
cipaI subject Of inquiry at yesterdays
session Of the aldermanic committee
which is investigating the graft situa-
ton. This policy was not pursued In
! order 10 avoid scandal in the depart
ment or TO whitewash the defendant
! in the case as far as his official record
would show and make him eligible for
reinstatement in a years time, but
simply and purely ''for the good Of the
service" according to Douglas ]. Nc
Kay, First Deputy. who testified be-
fore the committee yesterday.
Deputy Commissioner Mckay seemed
to think the phrase "for the good OF the
service" was both luminous and reason
able In suggesting the cause for accept
| ing a patrol.nans resignation. 1t APP
peared to cover everything in his mind
| from the most trivial offence to the
commission OF crime, and man who
had resigned in the face of charges,
| with a special report on his case in
dorsed "for the good Of the service"
stood as A lettering example TO his ten
/ thousand associates on the force as
! much as II his case had been thrashed
/ cut and they all knew the true nature
OF HIS remissness.
Ex-Convict Ousted Without Trial.
Inspector Cornelius II. Cahalane and
| other witnesses testified to having in
| vestlgated the case OF Harry J. John
/ son, a former policeman. who was per-
mitted TO resign in october. 1911, by
! Commissioner Waldo after they had
! suggested in their reports that the
/ serious charges against Johnson could
! be substantlated. in their belief. and
/ had recommended trial. Inspector
/ Cahalane testified that he found john
son had served term In the Kings
| County penitentiary and had discovered
his photograph in the Rogues' Gallery
at Brooklyn Police Headquarters.
Can you tell us why you Endorsed
the resignation OF an ex-convict with
his picture in the Rogues' Gallery and
let him slip out quietly instead Of
bringing him to rrial?" Mr.. Buckner,
counsel for the committee, asked Dep
uty Commissioner Mckay.
The Deputy Commissioner could not
recall the details Of the Johnson case.
but he was sure that the resignation
, had been accepted for the good Of the
service"
do YOU think It for the good OF the
service that a man be permitted to re-
sign rather than be shown up as
BURGLAR" asked Mr.. Buckner.
THE law provides the method" re-
nIied the witness. 81 don't know that
the charges could be sustained"
Alderman Folks was curious TO know
Just what the much used expression
'for the good OF the service" meant.
He asked the Deputy Commissioners.
1T simply means for the good OF the
service" Mr.. Mckay replied, smilingly.
DOCS that include the commission OF
crime and other Illegal acts?" asked
Mr.. Folks.
ut includes everything for the good
OF the service" replied Mr.. Mckay.
| Alexander Keogh, a member OF the
Civil Service Commission. was the first
witness called yesterday. He testified
that Commissioner Waldo wrote the
commission a letter last July recon-
mending that the examination for SER
geants Of police. about to be held,
should be open TO all patrolmen above
one years service. He also proposed
in the same letter that all fines against
patrolmen antedating his advent TO the
Police Department be wiped ont and
not considered by the commission.
| Mr.. Keogh said that the first request
was Illegal, as the law required a
patrolman to serve five years before be-
coming eligible for promotion to the
grade Of sergeant He told Deputy
| Commissioner Mckay II would be i'm
possible TO follow the Commissioner
suggestion on that account, and the
matter was dropped. the witness said.
He also informed the Commissioner
that the Civil Service Commission could
not do as requested in regard to wiping
out the fines against men prior TO
Waldo's time, as It would give the APP
plicants an unfair standing.
Frank Spencer. secretary to the civil
Service Commission was called to the
stand and questioned about the case OF
Fred Berg. whom the commission certi-
fled as an applicant for the force In Sep
TENDER. 1911. Berg was appointed and az
terward resigned. Mr. Spencer did not
recall anything the investigation Of the
commission had brought out about Berg
Mr.. Buckner called clerk for the Court
Of General Sessions to the stand, who
produced records showing mat Berg had
been indicted In 1910 for rape in the sec
ond degree and for assault in the second
degree.
Tells Of Case Never Tried.
| Inspector Sweeney was called to TESTIFY
as TO charges he brought against Berg
L.. sol lam