New-York tribune., 1918-01-02
termyer's home, . East Fifty-fourth
Street.
Finally Accepted Post

termyer's home, East Fifty-fourth
Street.
Finally Accepted Post
81 soon found that Mayor Hylan had
a firm and unusual grasp of the work
lngs and needs of the department. He
questioned me at length as to my views
and policies and frankly stated his
own, which reflected the serious study
he had given the subject He never
asked me, and do not think he now
knows. whether ! am a Democrat or
Republican. l happen to be life
long Democrat. as havo been all Of
my family but l have never been
active in politics. Mayor Hylan as
sured me that he would support me
IN keeping all pull and political in
duence out of the department.
We parted with the understanding
that both of us would consider the
subject until yesterday and that mean
time neither was committed.
IL told Mayor Hylan that was most
reluctant, for personal reasons, to ac-
cept the burdens of public Office and
would much prefer to give up my time
without compensation to aiding for a
short time any one he might select to
become familiar with the work. Last
evening Mayor Hylan again asked me
to serve, and, as result Of MIR. Inter
myers insistence that | had no right
to refuse and because l am satisfied
that 1T is a public duty | have con-
Sented to serve.
Il think ! know the department from
cellar to roof. | know most of the uni
formed force that have risen to posi-
tions of Importance. At least 95 per
cent Of the men are thoroughly honest
and conscientious and want to do the
right thing if permitted by the men at
the head. This is especially true Of
the younger men who have joined the
force within the last five or six years
under the Civil Service rules. My task
will be to make the men feel secure on
the point that merit alone will count
IN their advancement, and to locate and
rout the other 5 per cent out Of the de-
partment.
among other things. there are at
least three points on which the public
and the force may rest assured: First
There will be no politics while l am
here. Any man who tries it will come
cropper' on the first round, and ad-
wise them not to try. Second-There
will be square deal for every mem
ber of the force, with merit as the only
test. Third-If the impression has
gone abroad that the city will be run
wide open or that gambling or other
forms of vice viii be tolerated, it will
soon be corrected. That has not been
my record, as every one in the depart
ment knows who has memory.
Lauds His Predecessor
IL shall continue Commissioner
Woods's admirable work of ridding the
city Of pickpockets and gamblers and
other professional crooks. There are
some features Of Commissioner Woods 3
administration, such as the tapping of
telephone wires, to which l do not en-
tirely agree, but such differences will
inevitably exist between right-thinking
men, but there are other features for
which he is entitled to high credit, and
that | will be proud to recognize by
initiating or continuing. The morale of
the force has been vastly improved un-
der Commissioner Woods, but do not
approve of his policy of grading or re-
wardlng the men on the, basis Of the
number of arrests or convictions. To
my mind it is vicious system, that
stimulates perjury, which is the main
curse from which we suffer in the ad-
ministration of the criminal law
81 hope the public will not hesitate
to keep me in close touch with their
complaints and criticisms of the SER
vice, all of which will receive prompt
and grateful consideration. Honest
criticism is invited. 1t is of great as
sistance TO public officer, and l hope
TO profit by it,"