New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-30
Toss Dimes on Desk When
Inspector Calls for
Contributions.
CAPTAIN SWEENEY
LAUDS GIRLS WORK
Says Every Child in the Country
Should Be Interested in
Battleship Plan.

Salute" ordered Chief Inspector
Harry Rodman of the Junior Police
last evening as their founder, Captain
John I. Sweeney, Of the Fifth Street
station, entered a meeting Of the jul
venile officers.
Now, all you fellows get busy with
your dimes for Marjorie if you want
TO wear your battleship buttons. 10"
many Of you want them?" And every
boy in the room in Public School 68
wearing his junior police badge raised
right hand with the alacrity OF the
previous token of respect.
Inspector Harry Samuels was the
first member of the force to toss
dime on the desk; Benjamin Resnack
was next, and then for the sake OF dis
cipline Captain Sweeney asked the boys
TO wait until tho meeting was finished.
THAT was splendid idea Of Mar
jorie's," said the captain, land every
child in the country should be inter
csted in her battleship. l know our
boys in the 18th will be-"
Abraham S. Arnold, who is secretary
Of the Citizens Association Of the
Junior Police and directs their edu-
cational work. then addressed the
Young patrolmen and volunteered TO
take charge of the dimes of all who
wished TO contribute. He also hlnted
that if any Of the diminutiye guardians
of the precinct did not have a dime
some mysterious providence would see
that ten cents went to Marjorie from
them. DR.. L. J. Wronker, another
member Of the Citizens Association
which numbers sixty-four, attended
last nights meeting.
Junior Police Two Years Old.
The original junior police were or
ganized by Captain Sweeney in Au-
gust. 1914, when he chose 500 boys
under fifteen in the Fifteenth Precinct
and divided them into twelve compa-
mics. each composed Of a captain, a
lieutenant, two scrgeants and twenty
one patrolmen. The project originated
from the captains desire TO keep the
children in his neighborhood from
forming the kid gangs" that breed
gunner.
Since their formation the junior po-
lice not only have improved their own
physical and mental condition, but
"a ct &
nre-escapes cleared and garbage cans
in proper condition. Besides this, they
are the sworn foes Of crap shooting,
bonfire building and cigarette smoking
by minors. Each boy Is required 10
pass a rigid physical examination and
10 learn the pledge before his applica-
ton for membership is considered.
81 promise on my honor 20 do my
duty to God. TO my country and 70 obey
the law" the pledge says; "to obey
the motto and the rules and regula-
lions OF the Junior Police Force OF
the City of New York; TO keep and
never misuse my junior police badge
and 10 surrender IL upon demand TO
the chief Of the junior police"
Woods Supports Project.
After the force had been organized
for six months, Captain Sweeney, with
one Of the largest precincts IN the city
on his hands. found the boys work
growing too fast for one man 10 han
die. When this became known, the
citizens Of the Fifteenth formed com
mittee 10 assist him, and in June,
1915, they interviewed Commissioner
Woods 10 determine his attitude tow
ard the project of making the NINA
ture policemen fixture in New York
life.
Il am heartily in favor Of it," said
the Commissioner az that time. "While,
of course, am unable TO DO anything
3Tcially 20 further the junior police,
E%y have my support, and / believe
fthey will be able 20 enlist the sympa-
7 thy % every patrolman in the city
Among those who have taken special
interest in the movement are DR.. Sam
uel VI. Kaufman, L. W. Barley,
tute; DR.. S. Marin. DR.. Thom-
as Shaw, Dr. Henry Stein and Louis
Diamond. Recently they have OBJ
tanned uniforms for the boy officers,
and at a special meeting on Friday
night at Public School SO q flag will
be presented 20 the organization, and
Police Commissioner Arthur Woods
will be promoted from honorary
pstrolman 20 sergeant IN the ranks.
John +. Sweeney has been "A member
OF the Police Department since 1885.
and had served approximately five
years as a patrolman, ten years as a
sergeant, and twelve years as a lieu
tenant before being appointed captain
Of the Fifth Street station, in Decem-
Der. 1913.
Spanish Veterans Rally.
previous engagement has prevent
cd Marjorie from accepting the invi-
tation Of the United Spanish War vet
Grams 20 be present az their prepared
ness rally tomorrow evening The
commander in chief, Representative L.
&. Dyer. will preside. Joseph IT,
Choate is expected 90 be present, as