New-York tribune., 1919-05-30
Each Officer Is Told He
Must Serve at Least
Five SummOnses a Day
and Mix Violations''
Over 1000 Cases
In 4 Days in City
Policemen Reprimanded
by Magistrates; Small
Fines Are I'm pose


days they have been called upon to
handle more than /, 900 traffic viola
sion cases in Manhattan and almost
Is many in Brooklyn. A copy of
confidential police order picked up
frem the floor in Magistrate House 8
department of the Traffic Court dis
closed that every man of the traffic
squads had been directed to serve
summonses at pleasure. but in no case
to serve less than FIVE day and to
smix" the charges.
This order Is third in the series of
confidential orders which began with
Commissioner Enright's instruction to
precinct commanders to clean up the
city to f0restall a gambling crusade,
and included directions from the same
source to keep .he way clear for the
Mayors automobile on the Williams
burg Bridge, morning and evening.
Issued by Captain Ormsby
1t was ISSUED on authority of Cap
tain John c. Ormsby, of Traffic Squad
c, and read:
you must serve at least five sum
monses a day and as many more as
you please. Mix the violations. Each
man will consult the various viola
tons herein set down and try to
make one summons for each kind of
violation. Make daily reports as to
what you have accomplished to the
sergeant.
"By direction OF Captain Ormsby"
The order was found while Chief
Magistrate William G. McAdoo, with
Magistrates Cobb and House, was striv-
ing to clear the Manhattan traffic dock
\ ct of 250 cases which mostly were
trivial and which in frequent instances
sarsed the magistrates to reverse the
pleas of guilty entered. discharge the
defendants and reprimand the police
men concerned. In the Bridge Plaza
court in Brooklyn there were also $50
cases and there likewise the fines as
sessed usually amounted to 81 and So
Chief Magistrate McAdoo issued a
statement last night, in which he said
that great many persons brought in
appeared to be surprised and said they
had been summoned for things they
had been accustomed to doing without
restraint BY the police.
Too Tired to Comment
Magistrate House said last night he
vas too tired TO comment on the police
order which directed the men to issue
summonses at will
Il am 50 weary" said the magistrate,
What
Magistrate House left the court after
O'Clock The clerks were there until
after 8. They said they had been work
ine twelve to fifteen hours a day since
the traffic police began their crusade
snder the order Of Captain Ormsby.
Inc attaches were dolefully regard
] mg the prospect of an accumulation of
LEO to 1900 cases over the Memorial
Holiday on Monday But it was under
stood at Police Headquarters last night
mat as result of the numerous rep
nmands administered by Magistrate
House, coupled with the finding Of the
police ord-r. the crusade would lose at
snee much Of its drastic character.
Police officials attached to the traf-
&c division said there was nothing to
ae order but an effort to energize
he men and eau 80 them to serve sum
nanses for offences which they have
sssn overlooking.
aagl strate McAdoo was inclined
ass night t. deal circumspectly with
Me confidential order, saying he did
s'a sh 70 curb the proper enforce
neat Of the traffic laws. but he said
sae order had once more demonstrated
a's contention while Police Commits
n'her, that the men assigned TO traf-
g squad WORK should have special
4 aptitude. tie said:
q There 10 10 question which 40
a0sey aifects all classes of citizens
tne regulation Of vehicular traffic,
.speeially in view of the great mum
-. ~ o. accidents and deaths that are
sa'ly occurring. Conditions here, es-
rsia,iy III Manhattan Island, have ap-
sfoacned those similar to war in the
ssnocr OF naimings and killings.
- To thc wording Of this order,
as'ag It u be official, | would not
ant 70 comment in any sweeping or
ndical way. 'S
""uffstaHo IL, the police officer
soid ne must summon minimum
.s'hosr 81 defendants each day. /
sshsess, however, that do not under
sssad Why he should be asked to mix
as violations.
suppose the plain truth is there
hardiy policeman in New York
~ could NOT make hundreds Of com
80 ~ frequent are the violations
we rules u the road and the ordi-
ees, taking them in the strict let
Dus they should be taken By him
occur without regard 10 mi>-
g 30 not quite understand tn.
'ssa'ng of that order"
W Per Cent Of Cases Trivial
xls'fate House told the traffic Of
Enss about 10 per cent Of the
49, we're trivial and served chiefly To-
sst,' spirit of antagonism among the
as.ss ne also said the traffic count
ia l's nor efficiently handle more than
vases q dzJ. wherein since Monday
nNhnef has averaged close to 200.
s'slfate Ccbb sent Michael Carr.
MI ssa'sspr. 10 Jail for ten days foi
driving. Henry Neurnan. s.
81. or szS East seventieth Stree.
s'yeh nt4 Days for passing a
ssss At fstssa mile, an seny