Evening star., 1914-01-24

law, is authorized to retire me after
thirty years of service. So 1t Is my hope
that he will grant me the privilege on re-
quest.
Acceptance Conditional.
Assuming that 1 will be allowed to
remain here until the canal is completed
anA that on application I will be placed
on the retired list, attractive as your
offer is, would be obliged to decline it
so long as the present law remains in
force by which removals from the police
force are subject to review with decision
based on legal evidence.
In public work of any kind efficiency
can be secured only when the service Of
those engaged in it Is satisfactory to su-
periors, and, while I fully believe In
ing. the decision of the superior as to
the character of the mans service should
be final
In cases where a man whose services
have not been satisfactory can be rein
stated by a court of review, the effect
on discipline and efficiency is most In
furious. 1t undermines authority, leads
to INSTRUMENTATION, tends to destroy the
loyal cooperation which the executive
authority must have to secure results, and
makes his tenure of Office impossible.
Assuming, therefore, that I were free
to choose after the completion of the
canal, ! would gladly accept your offer,
provided change in the law is secured
which would vest the right of removal
in case of unsatisfactory service in the
hands of the commissioner"
Mayors Statement.
Mayor Mitchell, in giving out the letter,
issued a statement in which he said:
Fully realizing the great Importance
city. the thought uppermost in my mind
right man for police commissioner. The
place requires man of unusual qualifica-
tions. and after considering a number Of
names I made up my mind, from all
could learn, that Col. Goetha.s was the
man for the place
Il went to Panama and came away
more impressed than ever with the fact
that he was the ideal man for police
commissioner. Z" . He has done a great
piece of engineering work on the isthmus,
but in my Judgment. the greatest piece
of work he has done has been in co-or-
dinating great force of men into a
harmonious, loyal, enthusiastic working
organization. He has, besides, proved
himself great administrator.
Gets Goethals' Consent.
After prolonged negotiations 1 have
been able to get Col. Goethals to say
that he will come here as police commis-
sioner if he can be retired from the
army, and provided the powers of COM
mission, as they now exist. can be en-
larged Believing. as I do. that the po-
lice commissioner should have these addi-
tional privileges. | shall Immediately ask
the legislature for the necessary change
in the laws.
There is nothing more important to
this community than the proper manage
ment of the police department. 1t natu-
rally takes its color it's inspiration, its
IDEAS from its head. and l believe that
if we can secure Col. Geethals 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 in
terests that he has inspired in the men
in Panama for the government and its
interests.
Mayor Mitchell was asked if he meant
by his statement that he would wait un-
til the canal is finished for Col. Goethais
to take the place. The mayor smiled and
said he would say something about this
later. 1t is reported, however, that the
mayor will retain Commissioner Mckay
as the head of the department for a year
and hold the place open.