New-York tribune., 1919-04-12
By BRIGGS

nounccmcnt were expressed by officials
at headquarters, many Of whom had
known Special Deputy Commissioner
Nhaw only as volunteer supervisor of
ponce affairs in Staten Island. Fred
crlck a. Wallis, Fourth Deputy Police
commissioner, said that the announce
ment concerning the citizen police or
eanlzatlon was news to him.
Permitted by Charter
George p. Nichols, acting Corpora
ton Counsel, said the charter con-
1erred upon the Police Commissioner
power to create such an organization
Mr.. Nichols quoted the following sec
tion Of the charter:
The Police Commiss oner may, upon
an emergency or apprehension of riot,
tumult, mob, insurrcction, pestilence
or invasion, appoint as many special
patrolmen without pay from among the
citizens as he may deem desirable"
In anticipation of disorders foment-
ed by German sympathizers, Police
Commissioner Arthur Woods enrolled
a uniformed citizen police force which
commissioner Enright reorganized as
the Police Reserves. The Bureau Of
Special Service is. in effect, the Cen
serves, although established as an en-
tity. Some police officials we're puz-
zlcd to determine its exact functions,
expressing the opinion its purpose was
the same as the Bureau of National De-
fence, of which Special Deputy Com
missioner Allan A. Ryan and Inspector
Underhill are heads
Many Professional Men
John NJ. Shaw, head of the new bu
reau, has been member of the New
YORK Stock Exchange since 1889, when
he came to New York from Chicapo
He is a member of the firm of Rav-
mond, Shaw & Co., Of III Broadway.
and lives in New Brighton, Staten
Island
Under him are men who arc potent
factors in the financial and commcrcial
life of the city, Almost every business
and profession is said to be represent
ed in the Bureau Of Special Service
An oillcer OF the bureau said the men
acc of Bolshcvism was chiefly rcspon-
sible for its organization four months
ago.
BOlshcvism Triumphs
lie said malcfactors of every descrip-
ton have been apprehcnded throurh
the activities Of the service, and that
through its efforts, too, many danger
Gus anarchists have been deportcd.
the service, he said, is organized as
n branch Of the Police Department. also
cooperating with the Department of
Justice, the Federal government having
full knowledge of It's doings. 1t is
headed by II chief, with superintend-
cnts, captains and lieutenants.
Members Take Oath
Members, he explained. take an oath
Of allegiance to the Constitution of
the United States and promise to re-
port all disloya deeds and unlawful
acts Of any description to their SUI
poriors. Thcy are then given small
caro- which servcs as n crcdcntial en-
titling tho holder to the courtcsics of
the Police Department. They also orc
furnished with a gold badge, an exact
copy OF the regular badge, except at
the top it bears the words. 'Blroau
Special Service Members deposit SIS
with the chief upon receipt of the
badge. The money is returned when
the member leaves the service. All
operatives are in civilian clothes. It
was explained they have police powers
only when assigned to specific cascs
The exact status Of the organization
with reference TO the Federal govern
mont could not be made clear by any
Of its officials yesterday One of them |
showed q Tribune reporter q largo on |
graVed card with the namc of the De. |
pAroncnt or Justice on it, certifying
inc holder was member Of q free
lance organization cooperating with |
TIC department.
Private Activities nanncd
On March 81, however. Attorney
General Palmer announced that pri-
Vate organizations formed to detect
violations Of law would not bo ner-
m'ttcd to cooperate with the DEPART
ncnt OF Justice. All officers wcro at
he same time instructed bv the At
-orney General not to rccognizc such
private agencies.
Some years ago an attempt was made
by former Police Commissioner Theo-
dore a. Bingham to establish such n
bureau OF secret police here, inde
pendent of the regular department
Bingham asked for an appropriation of
S3o,o 900 to put his scheme into effect
Inc project never went through. il
'eing contcnded by objectors that tho
scheme was un-American.
An official of the present orpanizo
ION SAID there was not ono cent Of
money behind the service. It's volnn-
GERS, he pointed out, are of the hiph-
5. morai integrity and purpose. Thcv
ave gwen their services in manv
nses' SAID he, to root from their par, /
lcuiar professions or industry tho !