New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-12
TAMMANY MEN BLAME
WALDO AND THE MAYOR
Legislative Leaders, in Long
Conference Here, Show Alarm
Over Graft Exposures.
rBv telegraph to The Tribune. ]

tBy Telegraph to The Tribunel
Albany. Feb. 1.-THE leaders of the
Democratic Legislature would like to in
tervene in the New York City police stu
alton If they could find a way TO do so.
They realize that the exposures of police
graft and incompetence being made by
the Curran committee and the work OF
District Attorney Whitman will be an
overwhelming load for Tammany in the
approaching municipal election.
Convinced that the only sensible course
for Tammany is TO fall In with the gen
eral demand for reforms. they are rack
ing their brains for feasible method.
Sad though it be- Tammanys desire 20
help in reforming the police seems likely
10 be thwarted for the best thought Of
the leaders has not yet produced plan
on which they have been able TO agree.
Conferences on the subject have been
held The last one took place on Satur-
day night in private dining room at the
Hotel Knickerbocker. In attendance were
Senator Wagner. leader OF the upper
house: Speaker Smith of the Assembly.
Aaron j. Levy. Tammany leader Of the
Assembly; Senator Frawley, chairman Of
the Finance Committee. and Senator
Foley, who represents the district OF
Charles L. Murphy. The discussion last
ed until midnight.
District Attorney Feared.
The opinion was expressed freely by all
that the CIrran aldermanic committee
was simply playing politics with the po-
lice situation and IT was agreed that Dis
trict Attorney Whitman was making a
record which promised to land him a
nomination for Mayor and make him a
formidable candidate on an anti-graft
issue. Police Commissioner Waldo's
course was denounced az stupid. The con-
ferrees agreed that the Curran committee
was likely to prolong its sessions until
after the Legislature adjourned and thus
deprive the Democratic lawmakers OF any
opportunity TO demonstrate to the voters
of New York City how willing they were
to help reform the police.
Two main features Of the discussion
were:
The necessity for the reputation by the
Democrats of Police Commissioner Waldo
The necessity for the appointment OF a
committee TO present Police Department
reform bills and give this Legislature a
chance TO go on record on them
All present at the conference thought it
would be a fine thing 10 GUST Waldo
They declared his conduct in defending
Becker; in refusing to admit. after
Beckers arrest. the possibility of others
being equally culpable in the Police De-
partment and the Commissioners opposi-
ton TO a free investigation by the Curran
committee were indefensiblc Condemna
ton of Waldo included condemnation Of
Mayor Gaynor for not throwing him out
before this.
When il came TO a discussion OF the
way TO Dust Waldo the conferrees were
blocked The Mayor could remove him:
the Governor could remove him. Neither
is willing TO assume the responsibility,
though there was considerable talk about
whether Governor Sulzer would remove
Waldo over Gaynor's head.
Would LeeisIate Him Out.
Senators Frawley, Wagner and Foley
finally said they thought nothing of the
sort could be accomplished. Speaker
Smith said il ought to be done anyhow.
Assemblyrnan Levy wanted to know why
legislation could not be passed legislat-
ing the Police Commissioners out OF office
and putting in his place a commission OF
five. appointed by the Mayor on the
recommendation of organizations like the
Chamber of Commerce. the City Club, the
Board Of Trade and Transportation and
others.
The legislative leaders. he argued.
could make 1t perfectly plain that this
was Just temporary cxpedent, adopted
TO bring about police reforms in the
speediest manner. but to last only until
the legislation recommended by the Cur
ran committee could be considered.
As to that committees legislation the
conferrees were much exercised. Senator
Wagner suggested the appointment Of
committee Of the Legislature to take up
the subject. Speaker Smith said some
thing ought 10 be done 10 let the Curran
committee see that II was not going to
carry out a political play. Assemblyman
Levy thought IL possible 10 have n com
mittee named which could work with the
Curran- committeeman In the sense OF
interfering with II or superseding 1t. but
to get the gist OF what it intended TO
recommend in the way OF remedial legis-
lation. based on its work up TO date. and
then present such measures to the Legis-
laturc as soon as possible. The confer
epce finally dissolved without reaching a
definite conclusion.