The sun., 1917-12-07
REPORT M'KAY
HYLAN'S CHOICE
TO HEAD POLICE
r. s. Ordnance Major in
Washington Said to Be
Slated for Job.
HELD POST 8 YEARS AGO
Tammany and War Depart
ment Agreeable to Appoint
ment, Say Wiseacres.
HELD POST 8 YEARS AGO

Information reached THE SUN last
nisht that Major Douglas I. Mckay. who
was Police Commissioner under Mayor
Mitchell during the nSst nve months Of
hk administration. and before that
Deputy c Commissioner. Is the first choice
OF Mayor-elect Hylan for the head Of
The Police Department. Major Mckay Is
at present attached to the ordnance de-
partment In Washington.
It is understood that q representative
Of Judge Hylan has broached the sub
iect to Major Mckay and that he is will
INK 10 accept provided the War Depart
ment will consent. 1t was strongly in
timated last night that the Washington
Administration looks with favor on the
proposed appointment and will place no
obstacles in the Majors way.
While Tammany is adhering strictly
TO its policy Of leaving this most impor-
tant place entirely to the discretion Of
the new Mayor, Major McKay's selec-
ton would be fa&orably received by the
Democratic leaders During his brief
occupancy Of the Commissionership he
won approval for his methods In ham
ding the affairs Of the department.
Honor Man at West Point.
Major Mckay was born in New York
,hirty-fve years ago. He entered West
Point in 1901 from the Twenty-second
Congressional district. He was gradu-
ated four years later at the top of his
class. In 1907 he resigned from the
army to become the head Of New York's
Aqueduct police, remaining there until
1911. when Commissioner Waldo ap-
pointed him a Deputy Police Commits
sioner. On January 1, 1914, the day
Mayor Mitchell assumed office. he made
Major Mckay Commissioner post he
held for five months. and then left OF
his own accord after making many pop
ular reforms in the department.
lice Commissioner 20 far as is known is
charles E. Gehring. formerly head Of
the Independence League. Mr.. Geh-
rings Endorsements for this place. num-
herring several hundred. including that Of
William r. Hearst. were presented to
Judge Hylan yesterday by City Court
Judge James A. Allen. Judge Hyian
and Judge Allen we're closeted together
for considerable time.
Judge Hylan last night declined to
discuss the probable head Of the depart
ment but did discuss police matters.
placing himself squarely on record
against the present merit system Of the
department
Seeks Good Will Of People.
In my administration" said the
Judge. $50 far as the Police Commits
sonership is concerned, I want to have
he good will of the people as well as Of
the members of the uniformed force, and
] do not think such good will can be
obtained by maintaining the system of
merit now In vogue
Under this system a policeman re-
ceives two credits for every case of mis-
demeanor before the Court Of Special
IN which an Indictment for a felony Is
returned. The tendency under s0ch a
plan is. naturally. to make felony
rharge when the offence could be prop
crly considered a misdemeanor. Under
this system our courts have been
logged with many unnecessary cases,
throwing an extra burden on the tax
payer for additional judges and proba-
lion officers, and delaying the adminis-
iration Of Justice.
Some system should be found for
rewarding a policeman for preserving
The peace. and IL he performs a really
meritorious act. such as capturing a
riminal red handed. then giving him
proper credit for that. Tho real test Of
the efficiency of the police force should
be in keeping crime at q minimum"
Telephone Rates Excessive.
Another matter which the Judge in
d'caiei yesterday he intended to pay
much attention to after he assumes
,ifiee ia the telephone rates In Greater
View York, Through his representative.
cornelius NJ. Sheehan Of Brooklyn. he
stated yesterday that he believed the
present telephone rates are excessive and
should be reduced. Mr.. Sheehan ap-
peared before the upstate Public Ser
Wee Commission in the Hall Of Records
Yesterday. that body having Jurisdiction
over all telephone companies, and re-
lnested the commission to authorize pub
lie hearings on this matter after Janu-
Ary ] so Judge Hylan could present his
views. The commission took no action.
but will take the matter up at its next
meeting. December l3.
The qualifications of F. II. Cowless q
New York business man who has been
interested for years In fire prevention
work, for the office OF Fire Commis-
Noner, were urged on Judge Hylan yes
etday by delegation Of Mr.. Cowles's