The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-24


discipline and efficiency is most Injurious.
II undermines authority. leads to insub-
ordination. tends to destroy the loyal co
operation which the executive authority
must have TO secure results and makes
bis tenure of Office impossible
Assuming therefore that were free
to choose after the completion Of the
canal I would gladly accept your offer
provided "a change IN the law IN secured
which would yes, the sright of removal
in case Of unsatisfactory service In the
hands Of the Commissioner.
"Appreciating your consideration. and
with best wishes for the success of your
administration, I remain yours sincerely.
GEORGE w. COCKTAILS"
After the Mayor had given out Col.
Goethals's letter. he said
Fully realizing the grea, Importance
OF solving the police problem in this city,
the thought uppcrmost II, my mind when
elected Mayor was to secure the right
man for Police Commissioner.
The place requires man of unusual
qualifications, and after considering n
number OF names made up my mind
from all could learn. that Col Goethals
was the man for the place. However
did not know him personally and naturally
felt that wanted to see him. talk with
him and learn for myself OF his great
Ideal Man for Place.
II went to Panama and came away
more impressed than ever with the fact
that he was the ideal man for Police
Commissioner II we could possibly get
him. He has done a great piece OF en-
cheering work on the Isthmus. but In my
Judgment the greatest piece Of work he
has done has been in coordnatng IA great
- 49, .t.x,,.. l...snI
enthusiastic working organization. The
human problem down there was "A vast
and difficult one. just as II IL In the
Police Department here He has besides
proved himself a great administrators.
After prolonged negotiations and over
coming many objections and IN the face
OF the naturally attractive opportunities
opening to him In other directions, l
have been able to get Col Cocktails to
cay that he will come here as Police
Commissioner IL he can be retired from
the army and provided the powers OF the
Commissioner, AS they now exist. can he
enlarged.
He states his position clearly and gives
his reasons for desiring these increased
powers in letter to me made public
with this statement. Believing. az | do.
that the Police Commissioner should have
these additional powers. shall imme-
sary change in the laws.
There is nothing more important to
this community than the proper manage
ment Of the Police Department. II natur-
ally takes Its color. its inspiration. Its
ideals from its head. and I believe that IL
we can secure Col. Goethals as this head
he will he able to infuse into the depart
mcnt the same aims and ideals. the same
loyalty to the city and its interests. that
ha haa ft,u, v.I 10, 81 u
the Government and its interests.
The thousands OF splendid men now In
our Police Department, as well as the
citizens or the city. are entitled TO the
Kind OF leadership that Col, Goethals can
give"
Had just Left Husband.
Mrs. Roosevet's part in getting Col.
Cocktails to come to New York be-
gan when she was on her way back from
her trip to South America, where she
left Col. Roosevelt TO carry out his ex-
plorations in the Amazon country. Mrs.
Roosevelt came UP the west coast of
south America and crossed the 1sthmus
on her way to New York.
She found Col. Goethals a few days
after Mr.. Mitchell. had returned to New
York. The new Mayor had opened the
question OF the Police Commissionership,
but Col Cocktails had said that he wanted
to stay on the Isthmus. The Mayor
started back to New York without having
lost hope entirely, but prepared to look
elsewhere for a Police Commissioner. He
tried and failed.
Then Mrs Roosevelt returned to New
York with the news that Col. Goethals
was weakening. Travelling with Mrs.
Roosevelt was Mrs. Goethals. who II tired
Of living on the Isthmus. She told Mrs
Roosevelt that she would use all her
power to induce Col Goethals TO leave
the tropics and come to New York.
Mrs, Roosevelt In conversation with
col. Cocktails himself found that he was
restive under restraints placed upon him
In the administration OF the Canal Zone
and she believed that with a little more
urging he would consent TO leave the
hardest engineering job in the world.
which he has virtually completed, and
come TO New York 10 take up the mean
est Job of administration that any city
In the world presents.
Ready 10 Reconsider.
The report that Col Goethals was re-
considering. or AT least IN a temper to
reconsider. brought Mayor Mitchell UP
standing. He cabled Col. Goethals an
found that he was not inclined to come
New York.
Another cablegram from Mr. Mite ell
brought reply which showed that he
was open minded. Then Mr.. Mitchell de-
clueu tnat " some one representing the
Administration and good at persuading
we're sent to Panama he would come back
with Col. Goethalss consent.
The man who fitted Mr.. Mitchers pur.
pose was George w. Perkins. Mr.. Perkins
had been a party to the secret that Col.
Goethals was reconsidering and he agreed
20 undertake the Job for the Mayor. He
left New York by ship on January 7,
reaching Colon early in the morning of
January u, Mrs Perkins was with him
They went straight to Col. Goethals's
residence, where they were entertained.
The report was given out on the Canal
Zone that Mr. and Mrs. Perkins were on
the lsthmus merely for the trip. They
looked over the canal and Mrs. Perkins
agreed that n Col. Goethals could do the
things that she saw along the canal she
would, as she said, take on her hat to
him anywhere"
Thought Job Impossible.
Mr. Perkins found that Col. Goethals
believed the job OF administering the po-
lice in New York was all but impossible
under the existing laws. He said that II
he were to take charge OF the police he
must have the same despotic power over
them that he has enjoyed in the admins
frotion Of the work ON the canal