New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-24
yonr administration. I remain your
sincerely
GEORGE W. COCKTAILS.
.,,..,ob,o canal Zone. Jan. Il.

sincerely
GEORGE W. COCKTAILS.
"Culebra. Canal Zone. Jan. IA.
Mr.. Perkins made his report TO the
Mavor nj the latter's home, No. 2'o
Riverside Drive. last night. Later the
co,oners letter was made public, ana
tho Mayor made a statement in regard
70 it. With him at the time were
chamberlain Bruere, Fire Commls-
sioner Adamson, Robert :. Binkeru'
secretary OF the City Club; william
Reers Crowell. the Mayors legal ad-
wiser. and Arthur II. Woods his pri-
waite secretary.
The Mayor said he had not taken up
with President Wilson the possibility OF
obtaining the retirement of Coionel
Goethals He will do so at once, how %
,ver His formal statement follows:
Gully realizing the great impor-
.ance Of solving the police problem in
his city the thought uppermost IN my
mind when elected Mayor was To Sc
-,,re the right man for Police ComInls-
sioner. The place requires man OF
unusual qualifications, and after con-
sidering a number Of names maze
IN nv mind. from all could learn
that Colonel Goethals was the man
for the place. However, l did not
know him personally and naturally
felt that wanted 10 see him. talk
with him. and learn for myself OF his
great work on the lsthmus'
Ideal Man for Place.
Il went to Panama and came away
more impressed than ever with the
fact that he was the ideal man TOT Fo-
lice Commissioner If we could possibly
Get him. He has done a great piece OF
engineering work on the isthmus, ou''
in my Judgment, the greatest piece %
work he has done has been in co-ordl-
mating a great force of men into mar
monious. loyal. enthusiastic working
organization. The human problem
down there was a vast and dlfficul'
one. inst as ii is in the Police Depart
self a great administrator.
After prolonged negotiations an"
overcoming many objections, and IN the
face Of the naturally attractive oppor-
tunities opening to him in other direc-
lions. I have been able TO get Colonel
Goethals TO say that he will come mere
as Police Commissioner if he can be
retired from the army and provided the
movers of the Commissioner, as they
now exist. can be enlarged. He states
his position clearly, and gives his rea-
sons for desiring these increased powers
in a letter to me made public with this
statement. Believing. as I do, that the
Police Commissioner should have these
additional powers, l shall Immediately
ask the Legislature for the necessary
change in the laws.
There is nothing more important to
this community than the proper man
agement Of the Police Department. 1t
naturally takes its color. its inspira-
ton. it's ideals from its head, and l be-
lieve that if we can secure Colonel
Goethals as this head he will be able
to infuse into the department the same
aims and ideals, the same loyalty to
the city and its interests, that he has
inspired in the men in Panama for the
government and its interests.
"The thousands of splendid men now
in our Police Department, as well as
the citizens of the city, are entitled to
the kind Of leadership that Colonel
Cocktails can give"
AS a matter Of fact, those who have
talked with Colonel Goethals since Mayor
Mitchell first suggested TO him, November
"a that he become the head Of the Police
Department have known that he woull
never consider it for a minute II affairs
on the canal went as he wished them TO.
His greatest desire has been to be at the
head Of the permanent organization of the
canal for six months after It's completion
so as TO drill the force in the proper han
ding Of the gigantic piece of engineering.
FESTIVE Under Delay.
II the attainment Of that desire should
-, be assured TO him he would remain in
. Panama in the opinion of those who
know him best Mayor Mitchell took in
Panama on his trip after election with
the idea Of asking Mr.. Goethals to become
Police Commissioner.
When Mr.. Perkins talked 10 Colonel
sGoethals. January A. the latter was
.restive under the failure OF President Will
son TO put into effect the Adamson act,
calling for the permanent organization Of
the canal force.
Since that time messages from Wash
;ngton have intimated this was about to