New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
Guards for Food, Water,
transportation and
Public Utilities
DEFENCE LEAGUE
TO TAKE UP PATROL
Sentries on Bridges and
Sideways Part of Plan
Woods BUSHES Home

| The police are marshaliing thef
forces for an emergency. Detail work.
executed on calculations representing
months of preparation the average New
Yorker never dreamed was being DONE
proceeded throughout yesterday. IL
continued all night and there Will be
no let-up to-day.
Chief Inspector Max Schmittberger
saws: at is to forestall any emergency
in contemplation at present" when
means New York's non-miltary forces
are briskly being placed on war foot
ing. The precautionary steps thus lar
group themselves as follows:
For the protection of transportation
and food channels, the police guards on
the East River bridges have been
trtbled. The subways, including those
under construction, are under constant
watch. The vigilance of police and pri-
vate agencies extends to railway ter
minals and the tunnels under the Hud-
son.
For the protection OF public utilities
and water supply, the public water
mains are guarded at strategic points
and the auueduct all the way TO Asho-
kan dam is under heavy mounted pa
troll. The telephone system and elec-
trio light and gas supplies are under
guard.
Many Under Surveillance
Foreign consulates, certain banks
and public and private buildings are
under guard Certain persons ana
meeting places are under surveiiiahee'
The waterfront is patrolled with IN
creased vigilance. Guards have oeeh
increased about the German ships IN
termed in the North River.
Police Commissioner Arthur "oods'
whose inspiration originated the po-
lice preparedness" idea two years ago.
is fastening TO New York from florida
To take charge tomorrow morning.
Acting Commissioner Leon u Go1ley
had a conference with Mayor Mitchell,
Collector of Customs Dudley Field Ma
| lone. National Guard officers ana WIN
his chief by long distance telephohe.
The Commissioner said the revision
~ the lists of the Home Defence
League. the last work on the police pre-
naredness programme, will be complet-
cd Tomorrow. Freedom of action TO
deal with any situation which may
snrinp from emergency is preserved 10
the body Of H. 900 uniformed men on
the regular force by the Home Defence
, League. .Ia
According to reports IN yesterday,
/ this bodv now numbers from 10000 to
| $4,000 men. II is civilian police
| force. created year ago by Commis-
sioner Woods, TO relieve the regular
( force of ordinary police duty in case
/ of emergency.
League Is Prepared
Members Of the league arc beng
notified where and TO whom to report
| in case OF mobilization. An olive drab
I uniform, cut along military lines, has
been adopted. Hundreds Of the men
: have ordered the suits, which are pald
: for by the individuals.
I The Public Service Commission, the
/ New York Telephone Company, the
/ marlborough, the Consolidated Gas
! Company, the Edison Company ana
| several railroads contributed their part
| to the programme of protection. In
3 the main TINS consisted Oh lOOhlHS dlt'i
/ their own interests, thus tightening the
burden of the police force. The forces
Of guards and watchmen maintained by
these corporations have been taken IN
account in the previously prepared
plan in the Police Commissioners
Office.
For Mr. Cooley it was simply mat
ter of communicating with the execu,
tiyes of the different companies and
telling them the time had come. The
gas, electric light and telephone com
panies said they could adequately pro-
tect their own properties. Police
guards for the subway stations were
asked. but the lnterborough took the
responsibility for the safety of its
tracks and the East River tube. lts
force Of 400 plainclothes men was sent
into the tubes and the bore under the
river, and the subway was patrolled
from length to length during the night
/ The four great bridges over East
River are under the closest surveil'
lance. Throughout the night detectives
occupied chilly perches high among the
networks of cables, while the prone.
nades and the car tracks were patrolled
constantly.
The Public Service Commission yes
terday assigned 500 Of its staff of 2,00C
employees, men who have Saturday af-
+.rnoop md Sunday off 70 do special