The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-22
M'KAY TELLS POLICE
TO KEEP HANDS OFF
psmpens Joy at Lieutenants'
$4,000 Feast With
Grim Warning.
Mitchell STAYS AWAY
Enright Talks Derisively of
"Fads" Of Men Who Have
Ruled Department.
Mitchell STAYS AWAY

The $1,000 dinner Of the police lieu
tenants at the Astoria last night
was interesting not merely because Of
the facility OF the walters In serving
champagne but also on account of a
sent,y spoken warning from Commits
son,r Mckay.
Although the Commissioner made no
direct allusion to Mayor Mitchers police
bills or to the accusations that the sys-
TEN is fighting day and night to strange
The bills nobody was in doubt as to what
ne meant when he said:
1T is our duty to mind our own bust.
ness, 10 attend to our work as policemen
and TO refrain from seeking to influence
matters which can safely he left to the
determination or the public, whose
servants we are"
Champagne Melts Frost.
The hint, coming after Lieut.. Richard
Enrghts tempestuously applauded charge
that the fads and fancies OF commits
sioners and deputy commissioners were
responsible for evils and defects of the
department. obviously chilled the jewellers.
but ex-Presdent Taft's geniality and more
quarts OF champagne quickly melted the
frost
Nearly 1000 members Of the Lieuten-
ants Benevolent Association contributed
$40 apiece to the expense Of the dinner.
and there was added to this fund several
hundred dollars from the sale OF box
tickets at $3.50 and 50 a ticket 10 that
the lieutenants. who get only $2,25o a
year each. we're able to enjoy one Of Os-
cars most elaborate feasts. 1t was esti-
mated that 1000 quarts OF champagne.
not TO mention other wines. went to in
crease the cheer OF the occasion.
Among the guests were politicians who
make a point Of standing well with the
police, wine agents. restaurant proprietors,
sport promoters, saloon keepers and indi-
yduals whose business or inclination
brings them frequently into contact with
G6fcers OF men Of the force.
Several city officials whose presence
Rad been hoped for did not find 1t con-
venient to be there. Mayor Mitchell was
indlsposed and President McAneny OF the
Board OF Aldermen did not arrive.
Collector Malone. hurrying to NIL an
other appointment. spread a few friendly
words over the gathering. smiled and was
gone. This cleared the way for the real
business OF the evening. Lieut. Enright's
speech. Mr.. Enright said that the men,
bers OF the force were stunned and neg
lected by the public, but that the police
were. nevertheless. honorable, courageous
and loyal servants OF the public. Then
the head Of the association ridiculed the
policies of previous commanders of the
department.
II, is always the pleasure Of each ad-
ministration.' he said. ito destroy or
change all that went before. One year
I, Is done this way, and the next year
lad Of written orders. the next year or
ders are whispered In our ears. and We
must comfort ourselves with the hope that
all will be well that ends well.
During the past nine years We have
Rad nine Commissioners and thirty-three
deputy commissioners. and all the fads
and sancies that mortal man ever dreamed
Of Some have been lawyers, Judges,
railroad men, school masters. bookkeepers.
bartenders. plumbers and even ,milliners,
and some have had no visible means Of
support
No ClamAiGgeP, He says.
I'VE have had everything but a clam
digger and an undertaken. And still peo-
pie ask what Is the matter with the
Police Department?
Enright avoided discussion of the May
crs police bills. but promised that the
force would work Loyalty whether the
bills were passed or rejected. In his pre-
pared speech he spoke effusively OF Com
missioner Mckay. saying that the men
want him for their leader and by the
Great Jehovah they will work and win Tor
him as they never did before
The lieutenant, who sat next to Com
missioner Mckay. found II expedient to
omit this part OF the speech.
The Commissioner, speaking for few
minutes only, told the lieutenants that no
phrase making was necessary in prais-
Ing the efficiency and courage OF the New
York policeman. He recalled instances
Of the death OF policemen who were doing
rather than their duty In protecting
citizens Then Mr.. Mckay lie, ny the hint
10 mind their own business.
ExPresident Taft, uproariously greeted.
said he came not to make a speech. but
to greet them. since he had very pleasant
Memories OF former police dinners.