New-York tribune., 1920-12-01

mobilize 1000 or 5000 policemen in
various parks for war duty; the extra
force used to protect the bridges, etc.
and the establishment of the parole
system, whereby in each police pre-
clnct sergeant was assigned to assis :
the parole board and the probation
board IN keeping track of former con-
victs or men on whom sentences had
been suspended
The cabinet members also were con-
suited about the awards given to police
men for extraordinary performance of
duty and the pcnalizing of policemen
after they had beer tried by a deputy
commissioner. They were also part of
the merit system used to check up the
work of detectives
When there was the threat of an
epidemic of crime the cabinet was
called into conference with the Com
missioner. When plans to meet the stu
alton were worked out extra men and
experts from other squads would be sent
to study the situation and correct it, In
one case before the cure was effected
Woods had made three. changes in the
command of one of the branch detective
bureaus and had twice shaken mp the
staff Of detectives attached to the
bureau.
away with under the present admin
istration. The only conferences known
to be held at headquarters now care
those between Enright and I.ahey. The
first intimation that the inspectors
have now OF a change in rules or a
new plan is when they receive the
formal order through police channels.
Worried by Crime Wave
1t is true, it was Pointed out yes
terday, that frequently an individual
inspector IS called 10 headquarters by
Lahey for a conference and on two or
three occasions since Enright became
Commissioner the entire staff Of in
spcctors has been summoned to ap-
pear But there is no such thing as
a weekly conference.
Once when the full board had as
sembled, however, it was soon found
that IT was not for conference. TIE
crime wave was worrying the officials
at headquarters. and both Enright and
tahey made it clear that a wholesale
transfer Of inspectors or reduction in
rank would follow continued fai .urc to
stem the tide.
There was no request by the Com
missioner or Lahey for constructive
suggestions. The inspectors were not
'HSVr ~ !ftl tHty we're part OF tho
administrative staff at headquarters.
They were simply told the situation
was up TO them and they had to find
some way out.
An illustration of the frame of mind
IN which these conferences" left the
inspectors is found in the comment
made by one of them in telling of the
incident:
hat do Enright and Lahey want us
to do? Why doesn't the Commissioner
have Lahey tell us where the chief
trouble Is and give US enough men to
get at it? | haven't got a man on my
staff who knows anything But petty
larceny crooks, and he doesn't know
them we'll"
On Monday afternoon all police cap
tains in the greater city were SUM
moned to the Office of the inspector in
charge Of the district in which they
were assigned.
The Tribune story published Monday
showing the result f the survey on
the number Of men on patrol after
midnight was read by the inspectors
to the captains. Thcreupon each in
spector told his captain that Tribune
reporters were flying about town in
automobiles and to b. sure that the
full quota was turned out for patrol
on the midnight tour, even if the lieu
tenant on the desk was forced to sacri-
flee his clerical man.
The Tribune survey ended last Sat
IrdaC niOht