New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-10
Commissioner Announces
He Will Not Stay as
Police Head
Hylan Seeks Man
To Take the Post
Retiring Chief Brought De-
partment Up to High
State of Efficiency

Police Commissioner Arthur Woods
announced yesterday that ne would re-
tire from the Police Department on De-
cember 81. when Mayor Mitchell goes
out of Office. There had been some
suggestion in Tammany circles that
Mayor-clsct Hylan might ask Comm's-
,joner Woods 70 stay, at least tempo
rarily, rs a popular move among the
rank and flo Of the force. The Com
missioner forestalled any further spec
ul.tion on the subject By issuing the
following statement;
"So many people have been urging
ne 20 remain as Police Commissioner
II case I should be asked 70 do so, that
feel I ought TO make the statement
row that intend 70 leave this office on
the 3lst day of December. / shall leave
with most pleasant memories OF almost
three and three-quarters years OF SER
vice with a fine body Of men.
Few people seem to realize how es-
GENITAL 10 the success Of Police Com
missioner is the whole-souled under
,tandine and cooperation of the Mayor.
Whatever success l may have had IN
conducting this department would have
been impossible without the complete
support which have always had from
Mayor Mitchell"
No One Is Picked
Judge Hylan declared yesterday he
had not yet given any definite thought
TO the appointment Of Police Com
missioner or any Of the numerous sp-
monuments which the Mayor has to
make to head the various city depart
ments. There is much speculation
where the new Mayor will look to find
Commissioner Woodss successor. Po-
iitical leaders point out the necessity
of finding a "big man" for the place,
who will continue in large measure the
policies of Commissioner Woods, par
1icularly in relation 70 preparedness
and emergency work during the war
To get such a man, without the ap-
parent tag of the Tammany organlza-
fion upon him, who will not disturb
materially the present morale and mill
tary fitness of the force, the politicians
consider absolutely essential Tor the
success of the Hylan administration.
Commissioner Woods was Mayor Nit
chefs private secretary and his close
friend when he was appointed TO the
head of the Police Department 1t IS
believed Mayor-elect Hylan will not ap-
point any Of the men whose names may
be heard in political gossip for the
place. =
made clear when the present status OF
the department is taken into considera-
ton and some of the accomplishments
of Commissioner Woodss administra-
ton pointed out.
Seven DAYS after Mayor Mitchell took
Office, on January l, 1914, he appointed
Mr.. Woods as his private secretary.
Douglas !. Mckay held over as the head
Of the Police Department until April
of that year, when he resigned, and the
Mayor appointed Commissioner Woods
on April 8, 1914. The new commission
er was essentially the Mayors man.
The Mayor was in closest sympathy
and COOPERATION with the commission
er's police policies, and quickly rallied
to his defence on all occasions when
he was subjected to criticism or attack.
Woods Started Reforms
Commissioner Woods started imme-
diately widespread reforms in the ad-
ministration Of the department. II
was not long until he had gained the
personal respect Of most Of the 1900
men in the department, who came 70
realize that they were sure OF
"square deal" under the new commits
sioner. The morale of the force in
creased gradually but surely.
One OF the early measures which
brought these good results was an
order by which any member OF the
force desiring an interview with the
Police Commissioner could obtain 1t
upon written application direct TO the
commissioner, and the subject Of the
interview received the careful personal
attention Of the head OF the depart
ment.
The humane side of police work was
strongly emphasized By Commissioner
Woods, and the so-called social work"
OF the police became q big factor in in
creasing mutual feeling OF respect
between the citizens and the police.
The big brother" idea was practised
IN many ways by the patrolmen, and
the people began 20 find real friend
IN the policeman. instead OF the tradi-
LiOlhl ptrbeCuLor, c4NDDcr or CRATER OF
the old Tammany days.
On every subject which meant better
security and safety 70 the citizens
through police work a comprehensive
campaign OF education was carried out
which led 20 better cooperation and un-
derstanding between the people and the
police. A typical instance of this was
in the police regulation Of traffic.
Kept Down Accidents
Last year campaign Of education
vas begun 20 help keep down the rap
Idly increasing number Of street acct
dents. Copies Of the regulations for
street trafic were distributed 20 all
public and private stables and garages.
Police sergcants from the training
school leeturcd in the public schools
and garages and livery stables, secur-
Ing the interest and cooperation alike
Of children and drivers Of vehicles.
CAr-stop safety zones" and safety
Aisles" were established IN congested
traffic centres. More than 100 streets
were set aside by the police in the
summer for play streets for the chill
dTen, whore AL traffic was prohibited
during certain hours. The safety
first" campaign was carried into the
movies.
0ldtmers admit that the city has
never been az free from gunner and
all kinds Of vicious crime as during the
Woods regime. The social evil, gam
hing and All the prevalent vices OF