New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-29
POLICE SECRETS Barred
CIergymen Hear C. J. DriscoII,
Ex-Deputy Commissioner.
MINISTERS PLAN ACTION
To Gall on Mayor and Demand
He Take Hand in the Work
of Reform.

More than four hundred clergymen, ren.
resenting different denominations. heard
Clement j. Drlscoll. Deputy Police Com.
missioner under General Theodore A
Bingham, IN the assembly hall, Metro.
politan Life Building, yesterday evening
speak on The Present Conditions In the
Police Department, and Ways in Which
the Moral and Religious Leaders Can
Help to Improve Them" At the end OF
the meeting the clergy agreed to call
upon the Mayor on Thursday and demand
that he take a hand.
They also drew up resolutions declaring
that the clerical conference of the New
York Federation Churches was in sym.
pathy with the police in the conditions
they were facing, that 1t would help In
every way it could. and that, IL new
commissioner were appointed IT hoped
that he would be free from political In
fluence.
The meeting was secret. two sets OF
doors being locked by four attendants,
who constantly stood guard before them.
Mr.. Driscoll assured the clergy that
Commissioner under the present admin
able reforms, because he was hustled
out too soon. He agreed with Chief Magis-
trate McAdoo that the Commissioners
term of office should be fifteen years at
least and that he should only be dis-
missed upon charges. Because OF the
many political groups In the city, he
said, a policeman figured that the only
Haho fn do pnFkip0 anh
play politics, and so secure advancement
He said that often when policeman at
tempted to enforce the law some poll
tician managed TO secure his discharge.
The former Deputy Commissioner In
formed the ministers that he was once
told by Mr.. Blank"-and when he told
what MIR. Blank" did everybody In the
audience whispered a name and smiled
that he should not make raids upon dis
orderly houses. Mr.. Blank" mentioned
notorious house on Sixth avenue.
Drisco!l said. however. a raid was soon
made upon that place by the police, and
this mfr. Blank" again remarked how
unadvisable such a movement was and
requested that IL not occur again. Here
after, so said Blank" according 10
Driscoll, policemen should be stationed
outside to secure evidence, and when
such evidence was secured they should
take the matter up with the courts-"in
the proper manner" Thereafter
added Mr. Driscoll, very. very few more
raids were made"
Mr.. Driscoll declared that he refused
to fndorse Mr.. Blanks" policy in that
matter and straightway went 10 his
Commissioner, Mr.. Cropsey, and said 70
him, who is my boss? Are you, or is
the other fellow" and he said that
Cropsey answered him, saying, Here We
are; now take your choice" Driscoll
said that he told his Commissioner, Il
will choose you" and then was told TO
go ahead and enforce the law.
Among those present were Bishop a.
Hotovitzky, of the Holy Oriental Apos-
tolic Orthodox Russian Church; the Rev.
Or. George X. Vandewater of St An
drew's Protestant Episcopal Church; the
Rev. Dr. Howard c. Robbins, the Rev.
Dr. Ira S. Dodd. the Rev. Or. Thomas r.
Bridges and the Rev, Dr. Charles J.
Smith.
The Rev. Dr. Oscar Haywood, pastor
OF the Collegiate Baptist Church OF the
Covenant, in $50 street, between Eighth
and Ninth avenues, followed Mr.. Driscol.
He said, IN part:
We meant to hear a confidential state
ment from eX-Commissioner Bingham,
and have listened 10 a political speech
from Mr.. Driscoll. The speech, for par
tisau effect, and the resolution, to no et-
feet. are both aimed at Mayor Gaynor IL
appears that Mayor Gaynops reputation
before his election 10 the Office was that
OF a brave ana incorruptble Judge, ana
since lie came 10 the Office Of Mayor ne
has lent himself. as a man and official.
to every movement for the Oetterment OK
the community. He has no one here 10
represent him IN this prOfessedly clos.
meeting, and II is unworthy OF a body Of
Christian ministers to sanction the SLAM
derous statements made against tho man
IN his absence.
This is nothing more than a partisan
political fight, and the only way the par
tisan agltators could get US here, as they
knew, was 10 pretend they had soEle
awful secret to tell US: and, like lot or
curious old women-heTe We are. | con,
denim the whole proceeding as unfair and
devoid totally OF the spirit 1t Christians
charity,