New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-22
Failure to Include Excise Law
Enforcement First 0biec-
tion Found by the
Mayor.
DEFENDS FORCE, AS USUAL
Says Measure Is Unnecessary,
as He Alone Has Eliminated
Almost All Graft-Fears
That 1t May Be
Revived.


bill creating a department Of public
welfare, to consist Of seven commits
sioners In his message he gave these
four reasons for the veto:
The citizens committee that investi-
gated the subject recommended taking
the enforcement OF the law against
gambling houses, houses OF prostitu-
tion and in regard 10 excise out Of tho
hands OF the regular police force. The
bill however did not place the en-
forcement OF the excise law in the
special department, in spite Of the fact
that in times past that had been the
source OF most Of the police graft.
The board OF seven commissioners.
removable by the Mayor only after
trial for cause. would result in ineffi-
cheney and discord.
The bill re-enacted what the Mayor
considers dangerous sections OF the
charter, and which he had caused 10
become dead letters-those which make
it the duty Of the police TO maintain
order in gambling houses and houses OK
Ill fame and Empower them to enter any
place without a warrant on the sus-
picion OF a householder that it may
be house OF such character.
He Has Cut Out Graft.
Finally the Mayor said the bill is un'
necessary, as he has eliminated most
Of the graft from the Police Depar--
ment. and 1t would unnecessarily hu-
initiate the police to have their powers
curtailed.
The Mayor in his message said:
Il feel constrained not TO accept fhis
bill on behalf Of the city. shall state
the reasons in numerical order.
Il. The design Of the committee or
eminent citizens who examined into
the matter was TO lake away from tke
Police Department the administration
Of the liquor tax law. the laws against
gambling and the laws concerning Ic-
male prostitution. and place the same
In a separate department. 1t has been
the case here and in the cities through
out this country that the keepers OF
liquor places, o. gambling places and
houses OF prostitution pay politicians.
and TO some extent police officials, 10
secure a lenient administration Of the
law in their case.
THE exposure Of this condition from
time TO time has had a bad effect ON
the police force here as a whole, al
though its membership is now OF
very high order, and there is no better
police force in the world. That even
a few members of the police force eX-
tort graft, or are tempted TO take II.
creates a distrust of the whole force
by those who are affected by clamor,
instead Of thinking for themselves. IL
was therefore thought best by the said
committee TO take the administration
OF the law respecting these things
away from the police force and leave
II, untempted and undisturbed, to pe.-
form that which has always been its
chief duty-namely, to preserve out
ward order and decency, and prevent.
detect and arrest for the ordinary
crimes.
Fears a Graft Revival.
But this bill does not carry out this
plan. 1t leaves the enforcement Of the
liquor tax law with the police force.
instead Of bringing it into the proposed
new department. although the major
part of the corruption money paid to
police officials and politicians in the
past has come from that source. II
was stated on the hearing before me
that the enforcement of this law was
left with the police for the reason that
/ have established and carried out
plan which has done away with such
corruption under It. While that is
be revived hereafter. We have also
during the last few years done away
with most Of the corruption from the
other two sources. That might be az
Il
the administration Of the laws in re-
spect OF them over TO a separate de-
partment. II this thing Is TO be done
at all 1t should be completely done.
That is what the report Of the commit
tee Of citizens called for. This bill Is
not in accordance with what the conf
mittee asked Of the Legislature.
80 This bill provides for a Department
of Public Welfare. TO consist Of board OF
seven commissioners. removable by the
Mayor only for cause after a trial This
Is contrary TO the present scheme or con-
stitution Of government In this city. The
board OF seven members would probably
result in discord and inefficiency Our
present system OF single heads of depart
ments to be appointed and removed by the
Mayor at pleasure was brought in for
grave cause. ! know OF no reason to
abandon II. II has worked we'll and has
never been abused.
The idea seems to be to divide the re-
sponsiblity for the enforcement Of these
laws That weakness is to be deprecated.
II is much better TO centre the RESPONSE
bility. and experience has proved that the
place 10 centre II Is In the Mayor. The
people Of this great city ought to be able
to elect Mayor In whom they would have
full confidence and who would neither
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