New-York tribune., 1920-12-14
Fifth Deputy Declares
She Cannot Hold Place
and Retain Her Self-Re-
spect and independence
Kept From, Doing
Duly. She Charges
" omen Detectives Taken
10 Beg Hospital Funds:
Movie Houses Shielded

Mrs. Ellen \. O'Grady resigned
yesterday as Fifth Deputy Police
Commissioner by hurting her shield
on the desk OF Commissioner En-
right and announcing:
I'm through; through '"
To newspaper men the first and
only woman executive in the Police
Department gave the following res-
sons for the resignation:
She sand she could not remain
longer in the Police Department
without sacrificing her self-respect
and independence.
She said she had been repeatedly
insulted by Police Commissioner
Richard +. Fnright when she at
tempted to perform what She consid-
cred to be her duty
She charged that incompetent peo-
pie and puppets are running the
Police Department to-day.
She alleged that the Police De
partment Is ruled by politics and
politicians.
She said women detectives on her
staff had been taken from her to
solicit funds for the Police Hospital
Fund when she needed them for
urgent police duty.
Guaranteed Projection"
She said when she attempted to
enforce the law in a number Of mo
ton picture houses in this city. she
was shown certificates indicating
that the proprietors had contributed
to the police hospital fund and in
formed that they guaranteed pro
lection.
She said the atmosphere around
Police Headquarters was rotten and
She could not stand il any longer
Commissioner Enright. before leaving
Headquarters las night, said that h.
had never in any way lnterfered with
Mrs O'Grady's work and that he had
always treated her a. lady should be
treated.
lie admitted authorizing the use OF
three women members of Mrs. O'Grsdy's
stat for work on the police hospital
fund
lie admitted taat he had received
and acted upon complaint yesterday
from ii notion picturc theater owneI
against the activities of Deputy Com
missioner O'Gfady's detectives.
Comm ioncr r.nrignt nei ner denied
nor offered an explanation Of all other
charges made by Mr.. O'Grady anc
closed the interview with the state
men that he DID not intend 20 become
involved in controversy with
woman
Mayor Hvlau learned Of the resgna
ton while at meeting OF the Board
OF Estimate yesterday afternoon. ano
VAS obviously surprised He refused
10 make any comment Before gong
30 The Police Department Mrs. O'Grady
served a- probation officer under
Mayor Hylan while he was Z city mag
istratc and County Court judge II
Brooklyn
Police Circles Shocked
Mr.. O'Gradv'- res gnation gave po-
ice circles tremendous shock. y hile
The Tribune was Informed on higA
authority more than . monta ago that
The Fifth Deputy Comm ~slOner intend
ed to nAna in her resignation on No
vembar n. her sudden quitting Of the
department yesterday appeared 70 ere
ate general CONSERVATION in the "
cinity Of Police Headquarters.
Mr.. O'GradY was in a condition bor-
dering on mysteries when she left her
private Office, room 2l9 al Police
Headquarters, aud with her daughter
Florence. who acted as her secretary,
started to make her way through q
battalion Of reporters VINO crowded
areu and the top Of the broad marbs
stairway.
A Tribune reporter Vas standing II
the corridor just outside Of room 2ls
when the Deputy Commissioner came
out. When sne opened the door shc
stopped and waved gray-eloved hanc
20 those n the Office.
'S5oodby." she cried. This IS the
end. I'm louc
There came q chorus Of farewell-
from inside the room and Mrs. O'Grady
strode down the nall to meet the news
paper mrr Sne was obviously in
nghlv excited state and kept up a
running ire of remarks. some ad-
dressed TO her daughter Florence and
some apparently TO herself. The Com
missloner's neaJ bonne, OF turbau
aeifect was slightly askcw, her vei'
looked as though i had been pu, OF
hastily and ner eyeglasses mad slipped
part way down her nose.
just before She reached the head o;
the stairway leading to the main floor
Mrs q Grady met DR.. Carlton Simon.
Special Deputy Commissioner in charge
o. the narcotic squad The two are OLD
+ friends.
The situation appeared TO embar-
rass the physician. but Commissioners
/ e'Grady had a ready greeting for him
Long Series of Events
I'm leaving YOU, Doctor" she said
I'm leaving for good. There are some
things one cant stand. What happened
to-day WAS only one Of long series OF
events that have forced me 20 resign"
I'm awfully sorry - sec You leaving
the Department. said Nr simon
I'm sorry TO have to 90" replied