The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-18
CRIMINALS WELL ORGANIZED; DEMAND FOR MILITIA

sion OF gratuitous and scathing de-
nunciation OF the crime conditions RI
Shis city, bringing everything but a
formal demand for Enrisht's rssigne-
ton. Chief Magistrate William Nc
Adoo and Judge Rosalsky or the crimi-
nal bench protested against such a
situation, the latter recommending the
Organization Of citizens posse OF 25,-
900; women's organizations asked that
the militia be called out; merchants
associations and chambers OF COM
merce called meetings 10 provide pro-
lection.
The Mayors statement is as follows:
1.-THE police OF the city are using
OF life and property. There Is through
out the country at the present time q
great criminal army who care not what
means they use to ply their nsfsrious
trade. Life means nothing 10 them In
their pursuit for i'll gotten wealth.
"As the outgrowth OF the war many
persons of criminal tendencies have
been educated In the use of firearms
and have little regard for human life.
The criminal class has unfortunately
been augmented from those who seek the
easy method of getting money In
preference TO daily labor. This condi-
ton applies not only TO New York, but
10 every city throughout tho United
States.
II urge upon the citizens OF New York
70 give their full cooperation and aid to
the Police Department of the city. The
department is fully capable to meet and
compete with the crime that is prevalent
throughout the city.
LET me urge upon the Judges of the
criminal courts prompt and speedy trial
OF the criminals brought before them,
and where found guilty prompt and
severe sentences should be imposed.
THE professional criminals find it
too easy a matter to be admitted TO
bail. am informed that there are
cases pending and awaiting trial Of
criminals who have been arrested. re-
leased on bail and then rearrested fol
other crimes whose cases are still
awaiting trial.
Advice to Merchants.
Merchants in this city who IN the
course of their daily business are COM
PEELED to handle large sums OF money
be transported through the streets Of
the city should notify the police pre-
cincts In which they do business OF
the transmission Of such money or
vaiuables and the time and place OF
delivery of came.
''They should see that their messen-
gers are armed, and II they have not a
permit they should apply at once to
the Police Department for permission.
which Will be promptly granted. Ex-
traordinary precautlon should be taken
at this time with regard to suspicious
persons In or about their buildings. and
where 1t is possible in the delivery Of
sums of money or valuables while de-
livery is being made outer doors Should
be locked to prevent the entrance or
exit OF persons during that period.
1.-THE hotel people Of our city should
impress very strongly upon their guests
the necessity OF keeping the doors to
their various apartments locked. II ts
an impossibility for the police to de-
termine what is going on In the IN
terror OF hotels or In large business
houses where the public has free and
easy access. and Il Is for these reasons
that urge that every precauuon be
taken by the business and hotel men
Of the city"
Discussing the nature OF the police
TO check crime. +. H. La Guardia, Presi-
dent of the Board OF Aldermen. voiced
a sentiment heard upon every street
corner in New York.
When a commander in the field has
failed TO make good, he Is removed"
said Mr.. La Guardia. "He is not asked
why he didn't make good. Results
count The Police Department Is like
an army. and It needs rejuvenation and
vlgor. The whole system Of surveillance
OF known criminals has broken down."
Chief Magistrate McAdoo and Judge
Rosaisky admitted that the easy ball
menace Is serious: so serious. In fact
that the Chief Magistrate announced the
bar associations are preparing TO ask
the Legislature to regulate the matter
OF bail.
These crin1inais," said Magistrate
McA6oo, get any amount OF ball before
the Ink Is dry on the paper on the COM
plant against them in these Courts
Surety company agents come in with
them and bail them within Ave minutes
for any amount the Magistrate sees III
TO impose. The ready and quick oailins
BY the surety companies and cash bonds
men Is facilitating and encouraging
laws"
Magistrate McAdoo agreed with th'
late Police Inspector williams tina
"there Is more law In polioeman's ciui
than In the statute books" a recourse
he added. which might seem brutal. bu
II applied In the presence Of an arrested
criminals mates In crime would be fount
20 be most Statutory.
High officials at Police Headquarteri
also complained bitterly Of the ease will
which criminals obtain ball, and de-
clared that eight or nine safe crackers
caught by the police have not been
brought to trial.
Merchants 60 Meet.
Judge Rosalsky's suggestion for a
citizens posse of $4,000 contemplates
an organization completely Independent
OF the Police Department and It's per
sonnet would be contributed by large
organizations OF all sorts. This bodt
would be divided into vigilance com
mlttees whose business It would be Il
spot and arrest out OF town crooks be.
fore they had opportunity 10 commi
crifnes.
The executive committee OF the Mer
chants Association. spurred 90 action b.
the murder OF Edwin w. Andrews anC
the robbery of his Fifth avenue jewelr,
shop in broad daylight will meet mex
Monday TO consider what measures car
b. taken for the better protection O
life and property In New York. New
York's reputation, says the associaticn''
cali for the meeting, In suffering fro3
r