New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-28

WALDO DEFENDS FORCE
Says Department as a Whole Is
Deserving of Respect and
Honor, Despite Crimes
of Few.

The first annual dinner of the Honor
Legion of the New York Police Depart
mcnt, held last night at the Waldorf
Astoria was the occasion for the intro
dUction of two of the worlds wealthiest
men-Andrew Carnegie and Vincent Astor.
When the tips of five hundred cigars were
glowing in the grand ballroom. and the
members of the Legion were chatting
during an intermission that followed the
remarks of Commissioner Waldo. Mr.. Car
negie made his way, across the speakers
dss TO young Astor's side Unobserved
by most of the diners, they shook hands.
II am very glad to see you here" Mr..
Carnegie said. II knew your father very
well, but this is the first opportunity
have had to meet you. The trouble with
many of our young millionaires is that
they take so little interest in public af
fairs. ] am indeed pleased to meet YOU
here"
Il am trying to do the right thing" Mr..
Aston replied. with modesty. though 1
am beginning in small way"
After talking few moments longer Mr.
Carnegie returned TO his seat.
Members Cheer Waldo.
The Honor Legion as Commissioner
Waldo told in his address. was formed ten
months ago, and has d membership of $50
TO be eligible a patrolman must have re-
ceived honorable mention for meritorious
performance OF duty. Since the last al
lotment Of medals. Commissioner WalGo
said, four men have become entitled to
receive first honors. six TO receive medals
4 Il, h.
commended for bravery, emitting all TO
come into the Legion.
The Commissioner was cheered Justify
when he was introduced by the toast
master, Patrolman John W. Frazer. who
said Waldo was admired by the legion
for the stand he had taken in hurting
back the lying Islander Of those who
would defame him and the men in his
department"
AS a whole" the Commissioner de-
carcd. "the Police Department repre-
sents the finest type of citizen We have
Of course. out of ten thousand patrolmen
we cannot guarantee 20 have all perfect
There are bound to be some who will go
wrong. ! do not know of any profession
IN the world, however, where we have SO
many straight honest men as we have
right here in the New York Police De
partment. For every one that does a
wrong act there are hundreds who are
deserving of the honor and respect OF
all our citizens"
Tells Of Reforms.
Commissioner Waldo ended his talk by
mentioning some of the reforms he hoped
he Of
The present year. Among them were a
change in the civil service rules That
would enab a member Of the force 10
.ttain the rank of sergeant I'm eight OF
nine years. instead of from sixteen TO
eighteen years of service, as is now the
case: a pension scale which would en-
title a policeman to per cent Of his
salary for every year of service, the max
imum to be 70 per cent with the right 10
retire after twenty-five years of duty.
and a provision TO pay man injured In
the line of duty half his salary. In case
If member of the force losing his life
in the service the Commissioner recon-
nicrded that his widow receive at least
$500 year.
Mayor Gaynor was on the programme
as speaker. but he was not present.
Letters of regret were read from Prcsl-
dent Taft, Governor Sulzer and others,
but no mention of the Mayors name was
made from the speakers table.
Andrew Carnegie said the presence of
20 many men honored for bravery was
proof Of civilization which had de-
stroyed the barbarous practices of past
ages Of killing and manning men.
lie then read poem called I'm the
Time Of Peace" by Richard Watson Gil-
der. which he said he was having illumi-
mated so that he could give each of the
members OF the legion a copy TO hang in
his home.
Bishop David ". Greer spoke of the
spiritual and moral courage he said he
wanted the men 10 have, which, when
possessed, would make them feel it an I'M
suit TO their manhood and 10 the Ameri-
can flag II they were offered a bride.
other speakers were Monsgnor NJ. j.
Lavelle, George Gordon Battle, r. a. G..
Smith and Patrick f. MCGOWAN. In
charge Of the entertainment committee, of
whose efforts the legion was loud in
praise was Sergeant Daniel j. Fogarty.
who is also secretary and treasurer OF
the organization.