The Washington times., 1916-02-07
n. \. POLICE.
ARE V|CT|MSOF
SUBWAY HOAX
Commissioner Woods Wanted
to Test Efficiency-Rookies
Not Detected in Test.

NEW YORK. Feb. THE subway Is
still in operation today and the cruiser
Washington Is safe at her dock. despite
Wild reports Of more bomb plots and the
hurrving of extra police to subway en-
frances and bridges spanning the East
river YESTERDAY.
Two explanations were advanced to-
5ay for the extra police placed on duty
at the subway entrances. One was that
oil persons CARRYING packages were
stopped in an effort to round up sus-
pected pickpockets and other criminals.
There was really no bomb and no real
scare at all--only a sort OF hare and
hounds chase devised by Commissioner
Woods to test the sleuthing ability Of
his force.
Fail In the Test.
And that test-ordered by Commits
sioner Woods in confidential Ico-opera-
ton with a few OF his deputies-failed,
according to information given out by
one OF the men who was on the inside.
Somewhere in the miles of subway
construction that riddle the foundations
of New York and Brooklyn were six
rough looking persons with as many
suspicious bundles Saturday night.
They had been planted" there with a
rowing commission by the mead OF the
police department.
From the bomblike packages carried
by these police "rookies''-for such they
were-pieces Of wire peeped out. To
demonstrate that this half dozen dis
Fuised. desperate characters could not
long menace" Manhattan and Brook
Dn. general order for their apprehen'
h,,t hn mi iGGin
When the test was abandoned. few
hours later. because the travelling pub
lie had become alarmed. the results
we're:
First-Patrolmen were guarding every
means of entrance and exit to the sub
way.
Second-Six rockies with fake
bundles were still riding around under
ground.
II the order to maintain watch ovcl
the stations had net been rescinded. the
villsj D in the big imaginary plot test
might still be transferring from uptown
crowds. still spending nickels thai
would have to be entered up in the ex.
pense account.
Viewed from the sane Monday morn
ing point Of view the whole air ap
pears IS natural development o.
Commissioner Woods recent expert
merits to raise police efficiency to tn,
nth. power: AN Of his preyic"s expert
Jle began several months ago b,
sending out a general alarm fer 81 per
son wanted for folonous assault. Afte
patrolman had been disguised to cor
phoned to all men on beat lieutenan
was sent along with the quarry to keel
the score of hits and misses In thi
keen observation game. In most test
coed. Next the Commits sioners sent ou
descriptions Of automobiles wanted il
connection with homicide cases. and II
a few hours the machines were report
ed by the men on post.
Whether the decision to test out tn
problem of guarding the subway ha
any connection with the supposed bonn
plot against the ruined Canada
Parliament building In ottawa or sus
ptcious operations against munition
factories in this country, the polic
official who explained Saturday night
order would not say.
Captains Strip tSations.
Following = conference with his der
uties. the commissioner issued the or
de- for an underground test. Only
few lieNtenants who were assigned
follow the ''rookies' and protect thel
from actual Incarceration were pCr
mitted to know of the scheme in 90
vance. Captains of III" precincts Wci
caught unawares. IN thoi- zeal to CON
ply with tn" order they praCtlca II
stripped their districts or unfOrme
patrolmen. thereby ahording Eolde
opportunity to the lush workers" VII
mako speciality of relieving intox
Gated pedestrians of money and otht
valuable Several polio" stations
Harlem were reported to hc almost d
serted.
from II r. m. until dawn Sunday II
six suspicious bundles and their ca
hers continued on their Iaunt thrOug
the tubes. Just az they wclC preDa
ing to go ont on second expedite
they received word to report back
lI,air rannectiNn nrecinrfs