New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
Mayor Will Deal Sum
marily with InsubordI-
nation Among Police.
ELLISON TALKS OF
REVOLT IN RANKS
Ban on Clubs Gives City Over to
Gangs, He Says-Right to
Enter Saloons Denied.

Commissioner Woods is protecting
their interests. even IN some cases
where they make mistakes
That was the positive way IN whlch
Mayor Mitchell expressed himself yes
terday in answer to the attack made
on the police administration by VIII
lam Il. Ellison. counsel for the iouI
large benevolent organizations IN the
Police Department.
In published interview Of great
length Mr.. Ellison virtually said that
the spirit of discomfort bOrdered on
revolt among the rank and file OF the
force. and that unless Commissioner
Woods showed more sympathy Tor the
IDEAS and interests Of the policemen
his administration would fail. Inc
Mayor was as quick 20 reply 10 the
suggestion Of mutny IN the depart
mcut.
eff there arc any insubordlnate
groups i'm the department" he said
"the administration will not hesitate
10 deal with them summary. ne
Police Department is going to be run
by the Commissioner, and not by the
men in the ranks or by any couhscl
for their organizations"
There was nothing in the statement
of Mr. Ellison, as II appeared, to con-
tradict the assumption that he spoke
with authority for the men of the
force. as counsel and spokesman for
their organizations. Both the Mayor
and Commissioner Woods were quick
to discountcnance any such idea, and
asserted that the rank and file OF the
men were conteuted and loyal. Inc
heads of the four police organization
we're peremptorily summoned to Com
missioner Woodss office. and made en-
phatic denial of any pre-knowledge or
approval of the Ellison statement. Mr
Ellison later admitted that he had
made the statement entirely on his
own responsibility.
City in Peril, Says Ellison.
81 believe my statement TO be the
whole truth" said Mr. Ellison. 81 be-
licve the city is infested with gang
as never before i'm its history. As for
proof, If other proof is necessary, j
refer to the statement of former In
spector Dooley i'm The Tribune this
morning. Ny opinions as stated are
the result of thirty years in New York
City, during all of which time / have
been at least reasonably familiar with
police conditions.
81 gave publicity 10 the statement
with the feeling that the public did
not know what police conditions were
at the present time, and with the hope
that thew would be remedied. The
Mayor and ! are certainly good friends
as far as I know. don't consider it
an act Of unfriendliness 10 comment
on one part Of his administration
which is apparently falling short OF
public confidence
Mr.. Ellison said that his attack was
not directed against individuals, but
against conditions. II was pointed out
, to him that he had suggested the fire.
ouent change Of police commissioners
as a demoraliZing factor IN the de
partment, and yet appeared TO be start
ing the agitation for the retirement
of another commissioner
"If the desired results could be &C
complished in that way ! should be
satisfied" said Mr.. Ellison.
While he denied tina he spoke IL
anv way i'm his statement for tn, police
organizations which he represented
Mr.. Ellison added, however, that he be
lieved that most of the criticisms o
.
meet with the approval of the vas
majority Of the members on the force
He said he was not surprised that the
heads Of the four organizations, wher
summoned before Commissioner Woods
/ had assured him that conditions wer,
not as he Ellison said they were.
Denies Political Intrigue.
Asked if there was any politics bacL
Of the statement. Mr.. Ellison said Alb
solutely not" lie laughed at the sUg
gestion that the shadow Of Tammany
| Hall was seen as one explanation fol
the statement.
81 thought | had more friends Oh,
/ City Hall than at Tammany Hail. he
said. 81 haven't been in Tammany Hal
! for twenty-five years. Don't tell thai
story to Mr.. Murphy or he might laug.
out loud"
Asked what changes he would sug
/ gest to relieve the situation as he saw
/ IL. Mr. Ellison said that something wa.
needed that would give the rank anC
| file of the force confidence that the
would be supported by th Commits
sioner in case of any little mistake OF
| indiscretion. He suggested that 8
/ chief of police who Gaze from tn,
Q
properly. He declared that il fo-mc'
Chief Thomas Byrnes or John McCui
/ lagh filled that place the city would b'
/ Invested of gunner in two weeks. H'
was = favor. however, of retaining
/ layman in the Office f Commissioner
Present conditions were growtl
/ through several administrations jus
| coming 20 the surface and not due en-
ti-ely 20 the present administration.
Practically all the criticisms launched
/ against the police administration boy
/ Mr. Ellison were similar 10 those OK
pressed by former Police Inspector
/ DoOley at the recent mass me ting a
| Cooper Union TO protest against Grim,
conditions. The police were made COW
ards by being encountered with a mul
/ titude of rules, II was asserted, which
made them slow TO act in fear tina
they would break one, and in turn D.,
broke. lie referred particularly t tn,
+ rules established under the Ca O, ad
ministration precluding the polio mer
from using their nightsticks and 70
permitting them 10 ente- the baci
rooms of saloons 10 get evidence Q
violations of the excise law. Gangmer
and all the worst types of criminai
found these back looms a safe rendez
/ vous, he said.
Mr. Mitchell was asked if he though
/ the police should be allowed 10 90 int
/ the back rooms of saloons.
No Relaxing of Rules.
81 certainly do not" he said. 81 hav,
no intention Of re-establishing g lera
+ graft in the department"