The sun., 1919-03-19
ALDERMEN SHELVE
POLICE PROBE, 41-18
Quinn Warns Albany May
Seek Reasons for Big Crime
Wave Here.
ENRIGHT SENDS DEFENCE
Commissioner Explains Much,
but Is Forgetful About
"Honest Dan" Costigan.

At the same time that Alderman Will
liam F. Quinn was making a bitter at
tack on the administration OF the Police
Department at the meeting OF the Board
of Aldermen yesterday communication
was received from Commissioner En-
right answering some of the questions
raised by Alderman Bruce NJ. Falconer
week ago. deprecating such attacks
and intimating that there were serious
times ahead for peace officers In TINS
country.
Alderman Quinn talking on motion
to discharge the committee from con-
sideration Of his six weeks old resolu-
ton for an Adermanic Investigation OF
the Police Department asserted:
You may do as you like with my
motion, but ] assure you that IL II Is
not taken up here 1t will be taken UP In
Albany"
Despite this warning the Democrats
buried the motion by a vote OF IL to III
and the proposition for an investigation
will continue to, sleep In committee.
The Police Department has Just
passed a most critical period" wrote
Commissioner Enright in an effort to
head of further criticism, land notwith-
standing the statements OF cheap noto-
riety seekers It has endeavored to per-
form its functions and its duties with
dignity and credit.
I'VE are confronted with serious con-
ditions which are likely TO become moro
serious as the days 30 by. and II Is
not to the best interests Of the city or
Of the nation to weaken confidence In
this splendid organization. particularly
when the motives behind these criticisms
are purely political or personal and in
nowise constructive or for the public
good"
Dodges Dan C0stigan Case.
Although the Commissioner asserted
that any official of the city land in
deed most any responsible person can
receive any proper information which he
may desire regarding the administration
of the Police Department" he refrained
from making any reference to the inquiry
of Alderman Falconer regarding the rea-
sons for the demotion OF Inspector Hon
est Dan" Costigan.
Regarding the appropriation in the
1919 budget to pay for special patrol
men who were all dismissed before jan
uary /, the Commissioner explained that
last year the men had to be paid from
special bonds to the amount of more
than 81 900. 900 because no provision had
been made for the payment in the 1913
budget He had expected to finance the
specials" In 1919 the same way, but
the Budget Committee of the Board Of
Estimate had asked him to include the
money in his regular budget, which
he had done to the extent OF $439.784.
After the armistice was signed. the
Commissioner said. It was not known for
some time Just what the conditions
would be. Anyway he was out of town
for about three weeks when the Board Of
Aldermen was considering the budget.
The Inference was that had he been here
he might have asked for the resembling
OF the appropriation. as if was decided
to release all the specials" before Jan
uary l. The fund. the Commissioner
said, was intact and could be used for
any purpose the Board of Estimate saw
fit
As for the complaint OF Alderman
F'alconer that the Police Department held
up the issuance OF pistol permits while
the Board of Aldermen was considering
an ordinance increasing the fee. Commits
sioner Enright explained that the 1918
permits were extended and that as soon
as It was learned that there would be
delay In the board on the matter new
permits were Issued on the understand
ing that any Increase in the fee should
be made UP later.
EnriGht Calls II Economy.
As for the dismissal of Leo J. Nc
Dermott. civilian head OF the purchase
the interest of economy he had been get
ting rid of a number OF places created
by previous Administered. ons. He never
m n al l.-t