New-York tribune., 1912-11-04
.GAYNOR ASSA|LED FROM
PULP|TS FOR VICE WAVE
DR.. Carson Says Mayors lnflu-
ence ThWarts Efforts to
Disclose Evils.
THAT WOLF STORY REVISED
DR.. Price, Who Introduced
Resolution, Fears Lest
City Be Thrown
to Wolves.

The administration Of Mayor Gaynor
was attacked from two pulpits last
night; from one by the Rev. DR.. JACOB
f. Price, of the Washington Heights
Methodist Episcopal Church, and from
the other by the Rev. DR.. John F. Car
son, pastor of the Central Presbyterian
Church, Marcy and Jefferson avenues,
Brooklyn. DR.. Carson Is ex-Moderator
Of the Presbytery and has been stump
ing the East for Taft.
Speaking Of the "blighting grip un-
lawful graft has laid upon the city,"
DR.. Carson said recent disclosures
had showed that the amount OF
money paid as tribute to the police
for the protection Of vicious business
enterprises was greater than ever be-
fore Investigation clearly indicated
the existence of partnership between
the professional criminal and the COM
mercial politician and policeman, he
asserted. He continued:
II
every honorable exception In the per-
sonnei of the city administration, the fact
seems quite apparent that, as whole
the officialism which should be the friend
OF the city has dealt treacherously with
New York and has become her enemy
Gladly making exceptions in many cases
| believe that the present city admins
tTation In it's tendency and effect, stands
In diametriC resistance to the moral ana
religious wellbeing of the community.
/ make no railing accusation, agalnst
the Mayor Of New York CITY. ] DO not
question his ability, impugn his integrity
or Judge his motives; but, the pity or H.,
the shame OF II, that the Mayor OF THIS
great city has permitted the continuance
and the development Of such conditions
as have been recently disclosed! And,
then, the unspeakable horror OF IL that.
instead OF aiding In every way WITHIN MS
power TO bring out and TO root ont the
iniquitous system and the men back OF
H. the MAYOR permitted the power OF the
city administration TO be used TO thwart
those who sought light on the official
corruption! While others heroically Ia
bored 10 bring the criminals 10 justice, he
contented himself with writing few let
ters to show that conditions were not as
bad as they were represented to be. His
principle or policy seems TO have been 10
conceal rather than to uproot and sup
In 1892 John W. Gon probed with mar
velous skill into the sore OF our city life.
and we felt there would be n permanent
cure. But in 1912, Just twenty years later,
Justice Gofr presided at trial that re-
vealed conditions even more appalling
than those OF the earlier period.
In Washington Heights DR.. Price de-
clared that the account of the recent
visit OF members OF ministerial bodies
to the City Hall as given to the news
papers was misleading. Last Monday
they passed resolutions, introduced by
Or. Price, which were presented TO
Mayor Gaynor in person, and they left
II to Mr.. Gaynor to give TO the public
information OF their visit.
In the course Of his address to his
congregation Or. Price said:
Last Monday resolutions were passed
by ministerial bodies OF the city and pre-
sented TO the Mayor In reports from the
City Hall these resolutions were con-
strued as indorsing Mayor Gaynor's ad-
mnistration. From this We emphatically
dissent.
The resolutions spoke OF the deplorable
inefilciency OF the Department OF Police.
In the interview, as reported, Mayor Gay
nor resented the suggestion that new
commissioner be appointed, and declared
that he would not give Mr. Waldo TO the
wolves. But We were profoundly con-
Cerned that the great City OF New York
be not given 20 the wolves OF vice and
crime.
After all, it is the Mayor we hold re-
sponsible, for II is he who controls the
situation, as Police Commissioner =
hands may be tied. political influence may
interfere. He might receive orders from
the City Hall not 10 raid a place known
to be a house OF evil living unless there
be public offence; not TO interfere with q
place presumed TO be gambling house
unless It be noisy: not TO Interfere with a
saloon on Sunday so long as II confines
it's business to the back room.
The present Police Commissioner may
be doing the best that he can. but the
white slaves" continues, gambling
thrlves and the underworld has become
bold. We have right to expect tho
Mayor 10 enforce the law-not to legis-
! late, not to 30 interpret the law as to
destroy its plain intent, but to enforce IT,,
The state constabulary Of Pennsyl-
vanla has demonstrated what can be
done with n mere handful OF men when
! unhindered and free TO act with military
discipline and spirit, and with ten thou
sand men at his command Police Com
| missioner should be able promptly to
change conditions In our city and strike
terror Into the hearts OF the criminal
| classes.
We earnestly look to Mayor Gaynor to
serve notice on every alien and sinister
| influence To keep hands OF while the Po-
lice Commissioner, by his authority and
great influence. shall enforce the Law
without compromise or favor.
In the recent Becker trial Justice Con-
and District Attorney Whitman have won
n city's gratitude. Why has not the Po-
lice Department been equally as effective?
For such an administration we pledge
our cooperation. we did not and could
not approve the present lax administra-
ton under which has been possible the
prevalence OF crime that has filled with
shame the citizens Of this great metropo-
lis.