New-York tribune., 1920-12-29
Demand for $I,360,361
for 100 New Members
of Force Lacks Ia Votes
Needed for Approval
Dust Commissioner.
Is Curran's Plea
Present Lawlessness Due
to Inefliciency of Chief
of Department, He Says

of Department, He Says
The Board of Aldermen yesterday
refused to appropriate the $1,360,-
361 asked by the Police Department
as pay for one year for 769 addi-
tional patrolmen.
After heated discussion the Alder
men voted to reconsider the matter
at the meeting next week, on motion
of Alderman William T. Collins,
leader Of the Tammany majority
The vote yesterday showed that
fourteen Aldermen would have to
change their minds if the measure
is to pass Yesterdays ballot was
Al in favor and "a opposed. Fifty
five is majority.
Enright in New Jersey
While consideration of Commits
sioner Enright's plea for aid was
being considered in the Aldermanic
Chamber, in Trenton the Commits
sioner himself, addressing meeting
of New Jersey peace officers called
by Governor Edwards, was insisting
that New York City had no crime
wave.
Despite his optimistic assertion,
Mr.. Enright told the Jerseymen that
Congress ought to establish bureau
to check crime, and blamed the num-
ber Of spectacular robberies and
crimes Of violence that have occurred
in New York on the war, immigra-
ton and the fact that criminals can
purchase weapons in New jersey.
He asked that this be prevented by
legislation similar to the Sullivan
law.
Meanwhile, in the Commissioners
absence, the crime wave in New York
City continued as usual
Leach Asks for Policemen
John A. Leach, Deputy Police Com
of Aldermen and requested the au-
tllorization of the bords. He pointed
OF, that the Augns1 grand jury had
recommended an additional $500 men
for the force, but that only 500 had
been allowed in the 1921 budget.
whether the crime in this city 10
\ fact or is due to hystcria and fear
IN the public mind.' said the deputy
commissioner, "is a question. but wo
want these men. The present state Of
public opinion Is such that If crime
is committed in hotel or store they
think that we ought to be able to con-
troll that"
There was vigorous opposition to the
request outside of the Tamranv ma
Jority. Several Republican Aldermen,
however, together with Borouoh Presi-
cent Henry II. Cursen, favored tne
h nd issue. In voting agains- the res
olution for the bonds Alderman Rob
ert Starr Allyn. Of Brooklyn. declared
that 1t was Police Commissioner En-
right who was hysterical, end he hc-
lfeved that the Commissioner wanted
mere patrolmen in olcer to quiet his
nerves.
Il believe the present crime wavc Is
due to the present Police Comnis-
sioner." said Borough President Cur
ran. ~ believe he should be removed,
don't call it hysteria, however. when.
three or four blocks from where live,
5000 francs collected for the starving
children of France were stolen, and
three or four blocks in the other direc-
ton man was shot down in cold blood
and robbed. We do need more police-
men, and therefore l vote for the reso-
luton"
Alderman Collins and several other
Democratic members spoke in favor OF
the resolution. Aldermanic President
La Guardia opposed it on the ground
that the city finances would not permit
the expenditure. Despite any argu-
ments to the contrary, he said, the
money would be spent in 1921 and
would ,ona have to be met by the city IT
1922. He declared that the city al
ready had reached the limit Of ta
spending capacity and should recuper-
ate its finances.
Money Shortage Worries City
Alderman Augustus Ferrand, Repub-
Lean minority leader. said he had CON
ferrcd with Majority Leader Collins in
regard to the matter, and that tina
Democratic leader was in a quanda-y
to know where the money to pay for
the bonds was coming from. Alderman
Ferrand said he voted against the rea-
olution because of this uncertainty IN
to where the city was to get tho
money. Other Republican members de-
scribed the numerous crimes that has.
been committed in their districts re-
Gently, and argued that if the appoint
ment of the additional policemen would
remedy present crime conditions thev
were for it. The Socialists yota,
against the resolution
On the recommendation of the Re
publican and Democratic organization,
Of the boroughs, the board reelected
John r. Voorhis, Democrat: Charles <.
Heydt, Republican; John Kane. Demo
crat, of Brooklyn, and Jacob A. Living,-
ton, Republican, of Brooklyn, as Cou-
missioners Of the Board of Elections
for the ensuing two years.
Alderman Clifford M. Bostwick H..
publican. attempted to revive the ts~
exemption ordinance which was d..
feated last week. after three-hou~
debate, by. offering a motion that th~
y0fa hu which thu nvl,ro-