New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-09
.FOSD|CK URGES REFORMS
Thinks the Police Department
Needs Reorganization.
CAN BE DONE IN A YEAR
Former Commissioner of Ac-
counts Tells Y. M. G. A. Work
Should Be Started at Once.

Raymond r. Fosdick. former Commits
sioner Of Accounts, spoke at the I'D street
Young Mems Christian Association yes
terday afternoon on Municipal Needs in
New York in 1873" i'm the course OF which
he mentioned. as urgent necessities, first,
the thorough reorganization OF the Police
Department: second. a moving picture
ordinance, third. a new taxicab ordi-
nance, and fourth more public markets
for the disposal of our food products.
New York could have all these things
in 1918 Mr.. Fosdick said. II the people
would only get out and work toward those
without let-up.
Mr.. Fosdick said in part
My point is this We have reached the
last year OF the present administration
We cannot afford TO wait. What Is there
TO De done2
The suggestions which offer are these:
!. We should acquire the facts and lay
the foundation for a thorough reorgan-
iZation OF the Police Department. -,
| am of the opinion that this point VIII
be agreed upon without much discussion
by the great majority Of people, althoug .
there are one or two. perhaps. who hold
that our Police Department is the best
I'm the world. II IS Of immense I'M
portance that the Curran Investigation
that is now being conducted under tho
able leadership OF Mr.. Buckner should re-
Ceivc the support and attention Of the
people OF New York. II IL only on the
basis OF such facts as that committee is
bringing 20 light that REORGANIZATION or
the department can be built up. We car
not construct until we know the facts.
We cannot put together workable ma
chine until we understand the inner
- 4 "a p NrIVl an
claim that our department Is the best in
the world until we know what IL on the
inside.
New York can have an efficient police
department II she wants IL. Only she
must have the patience TO get the facts,
the wholehearted support must be given
10 the aldermanic committee, the John
Doe proceedings OF the District Attorney
and all other agencies that are working
IN this direction. In 1913. therefore. We
are called upon not only TO support these
various inquiries. but 10 throttle with a
strong hand any influence that would
seek TO Impede them.
H. We need in New York, and We can
have il in 1919, a moving picture theatre
ordinance. our moving picture theatres
are overcrowded, poorly ventilated and
often distinctly unsanitary. A large per
centage OF them are OF the so-called
store front" variety. Some Of these
places are inadequately protected against
fire or panic.
The so-called Folks ordinance was a
creditable and careful piece Of construc-
tive lawmaking, yet nothing has ever
been done with IT. We need that ordi-
nance, or one that Will accomplish the
same purpose. on our statute books.
III. We need I'm New York, and We can
have II in 1913. a new taxicab ordinance.
In comparison with Chicago, or London,
or Paris, or Berlin, our taxicab regula-
ton is a disgrace.
". We need I'm New York and We can
get them I'm 1913, more public markets Tor
the disposal OF our food products.
We need public markets-terminal mar
kets-where the consumer can purchase
his food without the necessity OF paying
the middleman's profit. We need such
markets as are TO be found In every Eu-
ropean city. And we can have them in
New York in 1918 II we want them.