New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12

running wild, and we'll show the town
results thatIl knock 'em dead" said
one oldtimer, who can be counted on
TO DO just that.
"I'm ready to do my bit by working
twenty hours day, If necessary, on
case" he continued. "But what do |
know about making out reports? | can
and will sit down and write out the
progress Of the case, but how do they
expect me 70 make out half-dozen
cards and a recapItulatlon sheet on
each case? | never handled job like
that,in my life. They should have men
who know something about such things
to do that work"
Commissioner Woods, in discussing
the situation, said that the question OF
clerical work for the detectives was
most difficult to solve.
1--WE realize that the primary duty Of
detective is crime Investigations he
said. But the fact that there must be
check on the detectives must not be
lost sight of. Some time ago | decided
to put in clerical men in the more i'm
portant branches. 1t became evident
very soon, however, that nothing was
being gained. The detective would
come in and tell the clerical man about
then make out the report.
1.-THE detective was consuming as
much time as if he sat down and wrote
out his report, and we we're wasting the
time of the policeman assigned to cleri-
cal work. 1t has, therefore, been de-
cded to allow the detectives to make out
their own reports and turn them over
to a clerical man who will whip them
into shape and look after the card sys-
TENS. The men will not be expected to
interrupt an investigation to make out
reports. They will do that work while
doing reserve duty at the branch head
quarters"
Asked for Suggestions
The Commissioner said that he had
asked Commissioner Wallstein during
the Cruger investigation to look over
the entire system of compiling Stats
tics, and had granted permission TO the
Municipal Research Bureau TO do like
wise.
IF either can show US how we can
cut down on the work without depriv-
ing US Of the material that is essential
to carrying on the work of the depart
ment, the recommendations will be i'm
mediately put into effect
Commissioner Woods has gone a step
further in rebuilding the bureau. He
plans to strengthen the special squads
now in existence and to add to them
as circumstances warrant.
The bureau Of missing persons, un-
der Lieutenant Grant Williams. now
has about thirty men and can count on
detective branch bureau in the city.
This is the only change as a direct re-
suit of the Cruger case.
Frank Cassasa's pickpocket squad is
being built up, and before long he will
have several extra men. The squad
hereafter will be materially assisted
BY the men of the branch bureaus, who
will be held responsible for any undue
activity Of the dips" in the territory
which the branch covers.
The homicide squad, which has not
been a glowing success, will get several
new men, and the safe and loft squad,
Just now under fire because of numer-
Gus silk robberies, will be reorganized.
The. narcotic squad and other bureaus
will also receive attention.
Scatter Specialists
Commissioner Woods plans to get
material to rebuild the squads from
among the ranks Of the Detective Bu-
reau, from those in the uniformed ser
vice who, while detectives, had lnti-
mate knowledge Of certain crimes, and
from the new school. For the present
most of the specialists" will work
from branch bureaus. The Commits
sioner explains that the plan Of CEN
Trailing the experts so that they would
be under one chief at Headquarters
would be the ideal arrangement, but
the city's needs are so widely scat
tered that it is imperative to have men
work from the branches. However, in
the future the specialists" will devote
most OF their time to crimes with which
thew are familiar. Of course, in the
absence of such work they will be as
signed to any case, but all work must
be subordinated to that in which a man
is trained.
The Commissioner plans to revive as