New-York tribune., 1920-12-01
Scored
As Inefficient
By Aldermen
Suggestion Made at Board
Meeting That Investiga-
ton of Department by
the Legislature Is Needed
Iammany to the Defense
Penal Code Change Asked
to Make Theft With Cun
a Life Term Offense

The Board Of Aldermen took notice
Of the citys crime wave and the in
efficiency of the Police Department
under the present administration at
the regular meeting of the board yes
terday at tic City Hall. In the course
OF heated discussion OF request by
the Police Commissioner for SIS. 900
IN special revenue bonds to repcnish
the contingent fund of the Police De
partmcnt, depleted during the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit strike last summer,
Com mmissioner Enright was attacked as
incihclent and the suggestion was made
that an investigation Of the depart
mcnt by the Legislature was needed.
Alderman Charles H. Roberts, Of
Manhattan, introduced a resolution.
based upon the increasing number Of
robberles and hold-uns in the city.
calling upon the Legislature to amend
the Penal Code to make the commits
sion of robbery with the use of a
revolver punishable by life imprison-
ment
Acts to Curb Crime Wave
The Roberts resolution read:
w hercas, There have been recorded
in the City Of Now York of late an
ever Increasing number of robberies
and hold-ups: and
"W hercas, The professional criminals
involved have been able. after serving
part of the punishment meted out, to
bring about their parole; therefore
"Hc it resolved. That the Board Of
Aldermen OF the Cit, Of New York call
upon the State Legislature to amend
the Penal Code to make acts of robbery
committed with a gun punishable with
;ifc imprisonment, and so amend the
law dealing with the parole OF crimi-
nrs as to make men who use firearms
il thc preparation of crimes ineligible
to parole
Consideration of the resolution was
put over uHti the meeting next week
When tho Police Commissioners re-
quest for $4,000 came before the board
the Socialist members strongly object
ed and were Joined in their position by
several of the Republican members.
Enrieht Is Assaicd
Alderman Robert Starr Allyn de-
clarcd the present Police Commissi on
er had shown the greatest incf1icicncy
in the history Of the department in
the management OF its affairs. Alder
man Clifford s. Bostwick and other
Republican members substantially
agreed with Alderman Allyn and OBJ
jectcd to granting the request Of the
Police Commissioner, on the ground
shat he had made no tcmized report
as to the use OF the money. They said
it was the usual, nut wrong, method
OF the Police Commissioners not to fur
nish information in regard to such
matters.
Several OF the Tammany Aldermen
sprang to the defense of the rcsolu-
ton and the city administration. Alder
man c. ii. Haubert, of Brooklyn, laid
stress on The fact that it was the duty
Of the Police Department to protect
innocent passengers and railroad prop
erty during a strike, and that the
emergency during the Brooklyn strike
had to be met and paid for. He de-
clared that any of the Republican
Aldermen could visit Police Hcadquar-
tors and probably obtain all the in
formation they desired.
Il have always understood that no
cne could go to Police Headquarters
and get any kind Of information" said
Alderman William F. Quinn. 81 would
like to ask Alderman Haubert if he
could do it,
"rhcre may be something in a name, "
said Alderman Haubcrt, but am sure
could get anything there, provided my
name was not QUINN"
"Thcn take it, said Alderman