The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-24

New York, January 23.-Mayor John
Purroy Mitchell. in ani;olnsng tonight
that he had obtained from Col. George
w. Goethals qualified acceptance OF
an offer of the New York police commits
sionership, made 1t known that he inn
mediately would take steps to meet the
conditions laid down by the Panama ca
nal builder.
The mayor said bill would be intro
duced in the legislature at Albany CIV
ing the commissioner added powers and
intimated that he would be willing TO
meet Colonel Cocktails other conditions,
of awaiting until the end of 1914 when
the coloners work on the isthmus shall
have been completed before the appoint
ment became effective.
Mayor Mitchell gave out a letter from
Colonel Goethals, brought from Panama
today by George w Perkins. The mayor
did not make an outright statement that
he would hold the commissionership open
for a year, but the intimaton that he
would 40 so was strong.
Colonel Goethals. in his letter to Mayor
Mitchell, said:
II have given much consideration TO
your kind offer. I can only reiterate what
l have stated to you-that the position
strongly anpeals to me. but there are
certain conditions which prevent me from
accepting it.
"In the first place 1t has been my
hope and desire to see the canal COM
pleted and in satisfactory operation. If
our expectations are realized this should
be accomplished before the close of tho
year.
In the second place. / am an officer
on the active list of the army, and while
occupying this status / am not at liberty
to accept outside employment.
There are, therefore, only two courses
r<x. A. Ill -
your offer, one is two resign and the ether
Is to be placed upon the retired list.
The former I would not consider. For
the last few years | have been looking
forward to securing the advantages of
retirement at the close of my duty here.
I have served nearly "a years and the
President under the law is authorized to
retire me after 20 years of service, so 1t
Is nv hope that he will grant me the
privilege on request.
Attractive as your offer Is, I would
be obliged to decline it so long as the
present laws remain in force by which
removals from the police force are SUBJ
iect to review with decision based on
legal evidence In cases where a man
whose services had not been satisfactory
has been reinstated by court of review.
the effect on discipline and efficiency Is
most injurious.
'Asuuming, therefore, that were free
to chctse after the completion OF the ca
nal, would gladly accept your offer pro-
vided a change in the law is secured
which would vest the right of removal in
case of unsatisfactory service In the hands
of the commissioner"
New York, January 23.-Mayor Mitchell
made a statement this afternoon carry
ing the suggestion that Col. George w.
Goethals, chief engineer of the. Panama
canal, is to be the next police commits
sioner of New York city.
From the beginning" said the mayor.
IT have wanted Colonel Goethals to head
the police department. Recently Mr..
George w. Perkins urged him to accept
the place. I am to have a personal In
terview with Mr.. Perkins tomorrow and
until that time can make no statement"
Mr.. Perkins sailed for tho sono early
In the month and had a conference with
Colonel Goethals.
If the colonel accepts tho position OF
police commissioner IL will be necessary
for him to retire from tho United States
army.
II have heard from Mr.. Perkins" the
mayor added. land the result of his trip
was satisfactory, That is all l care to
say now"
It 10 Understood Colonel Gosthais agreed
to assume the commissionership provided
the powers of the position wsre materially
increased. Those changes. IL was eaad.
the mayor felt confident Of bringing about
to the colopel's satisfaotien.
Douglas I. MoCay. Formerly hrat dep.
uty. became commissioner upon The res
lgnafi0u Of RhiHelaHd6R Waldo.