New-York tribune., 1919-10-11
City Unable to
Maintain Full
Police Force
Will Be Shortage of 200
Patrolmen by First of the
Year, Secretary of Civil
Service Commission Saws
Only $50 Seeking Places
Time for Application Is
Extended to October "a
to Meet the Situation

New York is unable to maintain its
Police Department at full strength.
This condition, long forecast by
spokesmen of the Patrolmen's Benevo-
lent Association, is admitted by
Charles L. Stengel, secretary of the
Civil Service Commission, to have
actually arrived.
At the present time there are ap-
proximately 500 vacancies for patrol
men. The date for the closing of the
eligible list was originally set for octo-
ber 9. Checking up the number of
applications received yesterday. it vs.
found there were only $50 applica ions,
From this number. Mr.. .itengcl s. U
yesterday, not more than 800 could be
expected to pass the physical and mon
tai tests, leaving shortage Of 200
patrolmen, in addition to the usual
loss by reason of retirements, deaths
and designations.
In an effort to meet the situation
the Civil Service Commission has an
nounced an extension of the applica
tion period until October %. This will
bring the date for physical examine
tions to December 20, the last possible
moment for adding the necessary men
to the force in the current year.
Records of Other Years
In 1913 two examinations were held
over a period Of time less than is re
qureG this year to bring out suf?i
ccient men to make one test profitable.
In that year 6,59S applications were
filed and l ,474 men were placed on the
department payroll. In 1915 4,14Q
men took the examinations and 1,0TI
were passed. In 1917 there were 1857
applicants and 713 new members We're
added to the force. There was no ox-
animation last year, and this years
test has brought out so far only $50
applications.
Never before has there been such
a dearth of applicants for the patrol
mems test" said Secretary stengel.
"But you can't wonder at IT, TIE
Police Department of New York has
higher physical tests than either the
army or the navy. Men who can pass
these tests and possess the necessary
education TO pass the mental tests can
make much more money outside the
department. AT time when long
shoremen can make from $50 to S75 &
week. you cannot expect TO find men
falling over themselves 20 become
patrolmen at about S35 week"
Stengel Is Pessimstc
,lr. Stengel was frankly pessimistic
as to the prospect OF filling the exist
ing vacancies before the end Of The
year. He said however, that sub
stantial increase in the rates OF pay
to patrolmen might help.
The physical standard is fixed by
legislation and cannot be lowered. The
commission has already spent larger
sums than ever before OH advertising
The admitted shortage OF men will be
used by leaders of the campaign to in
crease patrolmen's paw to 81 500, S1,S0C
and 50 900 for the three grades Off
cials of the Patrolmen's Benevolent AS
sociation claim this latest development
upholds their contention that refusal
by the Board Of Estimate to grant
them the increases asked would reflect
adversely OH the morale OF the force
Refusal OF their claims would make
getting patrolmen next year q still
harder task, they say, and they predict
also that such action would lead to ar
unprecedented number OF res gnations
particularly among men OF the lower
grades
Aid Comes From Women
Support for the salary campaign was
forthcoming yesterday from the League
OF Women Voters OF New York City. O
which MISS Mary Garrett Hay Is chair
man. The league has sent the follow
Ing resolution to the Budget Committee
OF the Board of Estimate:
Tine officers and leaders of the
New York City League of Women
Voters, in meeting assembled hereby
express our hearty sympathy for
those faithful and efficient employees
who serve the city as policemen and
fremen, and who as householders and
the heads Of families are confronted
b. the difficult problem of meeting
the increased cost OF living with in
adequate pay;
"And since we believe that the
sums 81 500 minimum, $4,000 maxi
mum) asked for by these public SER
wants. in a highly restrained and
commendable manner are reasonable
demands,
I'VE therefore strongly recommend
and request that the policemen and
firemen Of the city be granted this
increase soon as possible, so that
their minds may be relieved of har-
asslng cares and they may devote
themselves with singleness Of pur-
pose 10 the nrotection and vol fare ot