Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-27
ROBINSON BLAMES
FAULTS ON POLITICS.
Resigning Police Head Asserts
He Failed Because Of Inter-
ference in Bureau by Bosses
SAYS FORCE IS EFFICIENT

Get politics out Of the police and
keep the police out Of politics"
This method for establishing an
efficient police force in Philadelphia was
suggested oy Superintendent of Police
Robinson, who has rendered his resig-
nation, to take effect March 81. He
gave this advice when asked what steps
in his opinion should be taken to i'm
prove the police bureau.
The retiring superintendent declared
there was too much divided allegiance
in the past and entirely too much inter
ference by politicians, high and low,
with the real police work of the men In
the bureau.
Hc"expressed the hope that neither
his successor nor any Of the other Of
fcials would be hampercd by inside pol
itics in the future.
"No polite superintendent can make
good so long as politics interferes with
his duties" said Superintendent Rob
inson, in explaining his failure under
Mayor Smith and the crit .isms which
were heapcd upon him as head Of the
police bureau during that period.
There was too much politics in the
forcc--too much Of men of the force
looking to people other than their su =
perior officers for orders"
Going back to his appointment as
superintendent by Mayor Blankenburg,
eight years ago, he continued:
Started Out Well
-"Things with me started out fine.
used to attend the conventions of super :
intendents Of police in various parts OF
the country, and men who were observ
ing the situation In Philadelphia would
come and slap me on the back and tell
me of what good work we were doing
here. But that all changed during the
last two or three years. Then these
same men would come to me and rather
sadly ask What's the matter in Phil :
adelphia? told them the plain truth
Politics.
"Tf politics can be eliminated Phila :
delphia will have the finest police force
In the country Superintendent Robin
son said. "The men are the best kind
the proper results until every man in
the department from top to bottom
comes to understand that he is in q
distinct line of business, and that ther,
is but one boss"
THE patrolman must know that what
the sergeant says goes The sergeant
must not think he can disregard tn,
orders Of his lieutenant, the lieutenant
must know his captain is bigger maj
than some outside friends. The cap
tain must have full respect for tn
SUPERINTENDENT. and the superintendent
must look only to the directors fol
orders.
u There must be no divided allegiance
do not wish, in retiring, to stir NJ
any old matters. but I can say truth
fully that politics has been the one grea
drawback to an entirely efficient polio
administration within my knowledge
and | hope my successors in office vii
find conditions really changed and b
able to take advantage of a situation
which will give them free hand
To Go on Furlough
Superintendent Robinson will leay
on a thirty day furlough on March
returning March 81.
1t is expected that Captain Willial
B. Mills. assistant superintendent. wi
,, be his successor. Captain Mills wi
act as superintendent until Mr.. Robin
sons retirement.
Captain George Tempest, now com
manding the First district. which EN-
braces the down town wards, is spoke
of as n probable selection as assistar
Superintendent.