New-York tribune., 1919-08-07
Policing of Cars
EolI0,us UIti,natu11a
Order Not Issued by the
Mayor Until Receiver
Threatened ShutdO,cn

Policing Of B. r. T. cars last night
was no, ordered by Mayor Iylan until
he had received an ultimatHn from
Lndley Nj. Garrison, receiver for the
lines. and request from Public
Service Commissioner Nixon that
such action be taken.
The order was not issued until some
time after o'clock in the evening.
Had it not been issued, Mr. Garrison
said, he would have suspended service
rather than expose the company's
loyal employees to the risk of being
attacked during the night.
Mr.. Garrison wrote to Mayor Hylan
in the morning asking immediate and
adequate police protection for men
operating cars. The Mayor replied he
would provide necessary protection.
Reports that employees were being
assaulted and trolley poles pulled Off
cars continued to reach B. r. T. head
made another effort to learn jus, what
the Mayor might mean By the word
"adequate." The receiver called or
Deputy Police Commissioner Porter,
acting head of the Police Department
during the absence of Commissioner
Enright and Inspector Murphy
No Satisfaction From Police
According TO Mr.. Garrison's report
OF the interview with the two police
officials, they were no more specific
as TO the amount of police protection
that might be expected from therl
than the Mayor had been. AS a con-
sequence. the following letter was
sent by special messenger to the
Mayor:
'Since writing you this morning, had
an interview with Deputy Police Com
missioner Porter in the presence of
Inspector Murphy. The Commissioner
stated that he intended to afford ade-
quate police protection to prevent dis
order and protect the operation of
cars The difficulty with the situation
is that holding the police in reserve
IN the station houses or elsewhere or
placing some policemen here and some
there does not afford adequate pre-
cautions against disorder or any pro-
lection TO the operation of the cars
disorders are continuing and growing
more numerous and intimidation is
driving more of our men into the car
oarns with their cars, not being willing
to go out again unless assured of pro-
lection
1T is out of the question for the
police authorities, even if they have
the entire force at their immediate dis
posal, or in fact many times the num-
Der Of the entire force, to patrol the
many miles of streets through which
cars run.
Scattered Attacks On Cars
The programme adopted by the dis
orderly element is to go from place to
place and molest a car here and a car
tnere-cut the trolley pole ropes, and in
other instances doing action which pre-
vents the operation of the car and
threatening the men in charge with per-
sonal violence if they continue to oper-
ATE, and in some instances men in charge
OF cars have been assaulted. The
source OF attack in each instance is
car and the place OF attack is any
place along the road upon which such
car travels. Disorder is created by
attacks made on cars and the men
thereon: The place to guess the DIS
order and TO protect the public and the
operation OF the transportation system
Is where the car is. Unless the police
are where the disorder is, and that is
"nere the car is, their presence else
where is futile.
i am fully convinced that unless
something effective is done and done
promptly the situation will get out of
nand and New York City will suffer
sae humiliation of being in the hands
oi an irresponsible and disorderly ele-
lhene and out of the control of the
constituted authorities. The only ade
quate measure of protection is the
presence of the police on the cars.
mere is the place of trouble. There
- - the place for those whose business
~ ~ Is to suppress disorder, protect
threatened property and maintain the
supremacy of law and order.
Apprehensive of Night Attacks
II am spprehensive of the situation
..c-nlght. do not feel justified under
me circumstances to subject the men
VINO have Loyalty stood by their posts
snd the puolie who ride upon the cars
the great risks attendant upon op-
sstion at night withont adequate eff
.ecsive police protection. AS ! have
,,sid above, such adequate effective po-
"cs protection, under the circum-