New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-05
DO SAYS COURTS
PROTECT GAMBLERS
Underworld Does Corrupt Election Work
for Political Parties Who Seat Judiciary
He Asserts-Defends Regime.

Khinelander Waldo, Commissioner OF
Police, last night put the gambling SIT
VA ton up to the courts and again
came to the defence of the Police De
partment He admitted, however, that
ut was a matter of common k1owl-
edge" that gambling graft had been
collected by police inspectors ana
others In the department.
a long statement which the Commis-
sioner issued at Headquarters was
largely a defence of his administro-
ton. Part Of il was devoted to all at
tack on those who criticised his regime
On this score Mr.. Waldo made this
charge:
For months prior to the publication
Of the Rosenthal affidavit ii was COM
mon rumor among gamblers that a
fund was being raised and that younS
newspaper men were being employed
as press agents for the purpose of dis
crediting the police administration
which had caused the gamblers TO close
their doors"
This accusation was not elaborated
in any way. Nor WAS there any other
reference 10 il save the above.
Speaking of his own administration,
Mr.. Waldo said:
No administration has ever been so
absolutely free from subsection to po-
litical or other wrongful influences"
In his attack on the courts he said
Gambling can exist only because the
gamblers can obtain what amounts 20
protection from the courts Gamblers
do much Of the corrupt election WORK
Of the political parties who place the
judiciary on the bench"
He repeated his statement Of a few
days ago, but in milder language, that
through the checks he put on the po-
lice inspectors by means Of the special
details, such as Lieutenant Becker's
strong arm" squad, 1t was practically
impossible FOR protection TO be granted.
Defends His Secretary.
Mr.. Waldo took occasion TO give
clean bill Of health TO his secretary.
Winfield X. Sheehan. He declared the
stories that his secretary had pur-
chased costly furniture and auto
mobiles and lived extravagantly were
all false. He said the furniture used
by Mr.. Sheehan had been his own IN
his bachelor days. When he married
he gave II TO his secretary.
Mr.. Waldos statement in full fol-
lOws:
Allegations O1 corruption and wrougdo-
ing aic again being circulated against the
police Of this city. The best interests uf
the public and of.the Police Department
Itself demand that thorough aud Impair
tial investigation be made without delay.
IN order that the guilty. II any, be brought
10 Justice and that the confidence Of the
people be restored In The police.
AT no time in the history OF the depart
ment mas II been 80 well prepared 10
stand investigation as at prescott II can
be shown that efficiency in every line of
police Work has been materially IN
creased and that gambling has been held
more hi check than ever before.
No administration has ever been so alb
soiutcly free from subsection 10 political
and other wrongful influences Appoint
ments and promotions have been mnde,
without exception. In the order Ga which
certified by the civil Service Favoritism
~ assignments and transfers has been en-
tireiy eliminated.
Gambling can esitt only because tine
gamblers can obtain what amounts 20
protection from the courts. Gamblers do
much OF the corrupt election work OF the
political parties, who place the judiciary
on the bench. Members OF the Police De.
psrtn'ent could not obtain graft from
gamblers II they did not have the excuse
mat, While II WAS matter OF common
knowledge that gambling was being car
rled on In a given house, they could not
obtain evidence which the courts would
accent as even sufficient proof on which
TO issue warrants.
Gambling would not be a police problem
II the courts would convict a man OF
gambling on the same evidence as they
would convict man Of murder or burg
larry. However, under conditions which
have existed for many years in New York
the enforcement OF the gambling law has
become most difficult and has led to
much rasc lity.
Gambling cannot be suppressed without
the cooperation OF the courts.
When ! assumed charge of tlic Police
Department / realized that practically all
the opportunity for profitable wrong
doing on he part of the police was I'm the
enforcement Of the laWs enacted for the
protection OF tho public morals | there
fore removed the uniformed force in
Guiding captains, from any connection
with the enforcement Of these laws, limit
ing their ACTIVITY T. tie BTC' lection Of life
aud property aud the preservation OF the
ocace and good order of The public high
Say. In Ike manner ihe work Of the De-
teCtiYe Bureau was confined - the detec-
tion OF crime against life and property
BY this means more than ten thousand
men Of the force have been relieved from
any connection with gambling and tho
consequent opportunities for graft.
Inspectors Responsible.
The uniformed force and the detective
bureau having been relieved ~ the re-
sponsibiIity for the enforcement OF the
gambling law, inspectors We're then notl-
lied that they would DO held personally
responsible for the enforcement of this
law within their districts
In order 10 furnish the inspectors the
necessary assistance, without allowing
them to Use the men in the uniformed
force under them, T. force known IA the
Central Office Squad was formed for
che purpose of enforcing the gambl ng
law. and inspectors were furnished from
this force the number OF men requisite
10 aid them in this work.
NJ attempt Is made by any member
OF the department to deny the existence
Of gambling houses. The excuse OF AN
honest or dishonest Inspector for a house
that Is running IS that he Is unable Ia
secure the necessary evidence on which
he can obtain warrants for entry 10 sop
press the nuisance. This excuse IL based
on the fact that while house may be
known TO every one as n gambling house,
and that men known az common gam