New-York tribune., 1919-02-05
Dam Costigan
Is Denoted to
Police Captain
Friends Say His Objection to
Wedding Gift for Com
missioner Is the Cause

missioner Is the Cause
Police Commissioner Enright an
nounced yesterday the long expected
reduction to the rank of captain of In
spector Honest Dan" Costigan, who
until four months ago was head of the
vice squad. The Commissioner said
that Inspector Costigan had been
placed in command of the Beach Street
station, desolate precinct on the ex-
treme lower West Side.
II have one inspector over in the
budget, and that is one of the reasons
why l reduced Costigan," Commissioner
Enright stated. He refused to give
any of the other reasons.
Captain Costigan's friends say the
cause decided upon by the Commits
sioner as a specific one for the reduc-
tion was Costigan's recent refusal, be-
fore the entire staff of inspectors and
captains, to agree to the raising of
fund with which to purchase the Com
missioner wedding present.
The incident occurred in the Police
Headquarters gymnasium, when the
ranking officers of the uniformed force
we're called together 90 perfect ar
rangements for the collection of Sol
diers and Sailors Permanent Memorial
Fund.
oI fn nIt rtrxb
When that discussion ceased Deputy
Commissioner Frederic A. Wallis an
nounced that the time was appropriate
for the inauguration of a collection
for the purchase of gift to The re-
Gently married Commissioner.
Many of the hundred odd officers
present Immediately suggested that
such fund should be raised and en-
tered into discussion as to the best
method of procedure. Mr. Wallis then
asked If there was any man present
who was not in sympathy with the pro-
ject Costigan arose. Chief Inspector
Father John" Daily turned and glared
at Costlgan. "Honest Dan" stood, eyes
front, without uttering word, until
/: was made plain that the discussion
was at an end.
1t is conceded, however, by the most
intimate Of Captain Costigan's friends
that the incident in the gymnasium was
only the excuse seized upon by the
administration TO shove Costigan aside.
Commissioner Enright made it plain
months ago, it is pointed out, that
Costigan was to go, when over the OBJ
lection Of District Attorney Swami.
which almcst caused q break between
the District Attorney and the Mayor,
Costigai was placed in charge of the
1st inspection District. as we'll es be
ing made responsible for vice condi-
tions. Swami held that the move prac-
tically eliminated Costigan as vice
investigator.
Further evidence came shortly after
in petty huniliations, the most out
standing Of which was Commissioner
Enright's order removing from Costi
gan's office the wardrobe he used. En-
right also eliminated Costigan's pri-
vato office.
! Four months ago Commiasioner En-
right announced that Inspector Costi-
gan hao been relieved OF all vice work
and had been suppanted by Inspector
Thomas j. Mcdonald, of Brooklyn
Since taking command OF the LIST In
spection District Costigan and his men
mad found themselves dogged CON
st&ntly by men from the stats of the
Chief Inspector and Inspector McDon~
aid.
Recently IN a conversation Enrlght
was told that Costigan was "the squar-
est cop in the game" The Commits
eozser Ia said to have replied that Cos
tigan wag overrated, and that a COM
parison Of Costigan's arrest record
with that of other inspectors would
not be flattering to Costigan.
To this Costigan's friends point out
that when he made arrests he got
convictions They point out that since
Costigan has been relieved as head Of
the vice squad the percentage Of con-
victions on arrests by his successor has
been practically nil.
District Attorney Swami. In an inter
view at Lakewood last night, said:
have no criticism to make of the
act, ! deeply regret Cogtigan's demo
ton ] had implicit confdencs in Cos
/ tigan, and he is a man, ] am positivc
in whom the public reposes complete
confidence. He ie man whom the pro
feesionaj garnbIcrs have IT In for, and
his work has been in complete accord
with my Office. | admire him and his
work and very much regret his demo
ton"