Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-06-12
POLICE EXPERT
AND HIS MERITS
ARE EEXTOLLED
Police Board President, in
Statement, Would Justify En-
pIoying Martin n. Ray.
HE FAILS TO SPECIFY
ANY MATERIAL CHANGES
Admits 500 Week Instructor
Sometimes Did His Work
by Telephone.

In an attempt to justify the expen-
diture of 81 700 for the services Of
| Captain Martin IL. Ray as instructor
of the police training school, Presi-
dent Fred c. Breidenbach, of the
/, Board of Police Commissioners, yes
| terday issued long statement on
Ray and his work. 1t was announced
yesterday that Ray will quit the de-
partment July l, when he will have
completed seventeen weeks at a sal
airy of $100 a week.
The statement refers, in very
general way. to more business-like
methods which Ray has installed in
the administrative offices of the de-
partment No specific instances are
given. Several years ago a system of
handling records and of conducting
the clerical work of the department
was installed by an expert and was
considered one of the best in any of
the police departments throughout
the country. 1t is not apparent that
Captain Ray has made any material
changes.
Captain Rays services were also
necessary, according to Mr. Breiden-
bach's statement because policemen
are taken into the department with
out any particular education having
been received for their life work"
Some of the things taught at the
police school are mentioned i'm the
statement. According to men In the
present class at the school the work
OF instruction is being done almost
entirely by Police Lieutenant James
#. Meehan Several of the present
pupils say that they do not even
know Captain Ray by sight
President Breidenbach admits that
Ray frequently conducts the school
by telephoning instructions there.
From the statement issued yesterday
il appears that the commissioners
intend to change their policy in as
signing men to various details and
other soft" jobs. The statement fol-
lows:
President Breidenbach's statement.
Recently some critical reports
have been circulated in reference to
retaining the services of Captain Ray
In the police department. These re-
ports are largely the result OF mis-
conception, which should be corrected
by statement from the board
The board most emphatically does
not believe in making unnecessary
changes in our police system or as
signments, as they tend to antagonize
and disorganize the force. 1t is our
belief that greater success can be
gained by cooperation within the
department than by any outside in
fluence. However, ii is forcibly evil
dent that we need impartial and ex-
pert advice in order to cope with
ever-changing conditions resulting
from the rapid growth of Newark
The selection of Captain Ray was
proof of impartiality; the best assur-
ance against unwise changes, and
should settle all doubt as to the
boards policy in these respects.
"First-Policemen are taken into the
department without any particular
education having been received to fit
them for their life work. and small
opportunity has been given them to
learn correctly even after years of
service. A training school has been
organized, instructors selected and
coached by Captain Ray with the idea
of teaching the men exactly what is
expected of them by the board. The
course of instruction covers all city
ordinances and laws which patrolmen
should be familiar with, under what
circumstances they should make ar
rests and how conduct themselves
under all circumstances, military drill
and many other phases of police work.
"Second-He has undertaken the in
stallation of more business-like meth
DDS in the administrative offices at
headquarters This includes (a) the
and filing of correspondence
and official papers, (b) the keeping of
intelligent records concerning each
member of the department (c) the
method of purchasing and controlling
of supplies, Id the compilation of
complete inventory of all material and
equipment, (e) the preparation of
crime statistics in form for scientific
study, ~ the keeping of such records
as would make possible in the future
the preparation OF the police budget
based on fact and actual necessity.
''Third-An investigation as to the
necessity for all detailed positions, i'm
order to place men where most neces-
sary and to eliminate useless sine
cures
"Fourth-The appointment of Off
GERS to the mounted motorcycle and
traffic squads, upon a merit basis in
stead of for personal and political
reasons.
Records stin Kept.
"Fifth-The installation of records
at detective headquarters. in order
that a means may be afforded of
measuring the efficiency of the bureau
as whole. 1t is not possible to check
the work at present.
"Sixth-The Standardization of sta
tion house records, In order to place