New-York tribune., 1920-11-30

OF his leave and was called in by the
Commissioner for the purpose of hav-
ing this proposition put up to him.
Forced to Resign
Although the Army was sorely in
need of Tunney's services, he could
not consider Enright's ultimatum call
ing for his reduction in rank, and he
was forced to res gn from Uncle Sans
service. Commissioner Enright met
Tunney's return to the Police Depart
ment by relieving him of command of
the bomb squad, although the activi-.
ties of radicals were on the increase
throughout the country
The first thing the Commissioner
did after the Inspectors return from
war service was to assign him to the
command of the auto squad, detail of
comparative unimportance. This
brought forth protest from Tunney.
as we'll as rom others, who realized his
public value as director of the bomb
squad. Comm issoner Enright met
Tunney's protest with the statement
that he could either accept the auto
squad command or retire from the de-
partment. Seeing that the situation
was hopeless, Tunney applied for and
head of q private detective agency
which bears his name.
The administration is said to have
desired Tunney's rank in order that it
might be used in the promotio ion of an.
other officer who was in favor with
the administration. The number of in
spectorships are limited by law and
the Commissioner was known to have
several men in mind whom he wished
to promote.
When Tunney entered the army there
went into the government service with
hlm his most expert assistants, Lieu
knowledge of the methods employed by
anarchists and other radicals in the
use Of explosives is said to be second
only to that Of Inspector Tunney him
self. Barnitz quit the Police Depart
ment about the same time that Tunney
did and is now associated with the lat
ter in his private detective agepey.
When Tunney and Barnitz left the
department the disintegration Of the old
bomb squad began. Twenty one mem
bcrs of the squad were sent back to
entirely foreign to bomb work. four
others resigned and one still in the
army. Only seven Of Tunney's trained
men remain on the staff
Several Of the men who were trans
fcrrcd to the uniformed force had per
formed conspicuous public service un-
der Tunncy. Among these was Ser
geant Pugilnano, who won promotion
70 the rank of first grade detective
sergeant for the manner in which he
worked his way into the confidence of
the anarchists who attempted to blow
up st. Patrick's Cathedral. 1t was
Pugilnano who frustrated this plot.
He lived with the anarchists day and
night and knew when they planned to
plant the bomb that was to destroy the
church. He tipped off Inspector Tun-
ney and the entire bomb squad was in
the cathedral when the plotters ar
rived. Some acted as ushers and others
as scrubwomen.
Bomb Plotters Caught
The bomb was actually placed in a
pow and the fuse lighted before
Pugilnano revealed his true identity
to the anarchists. AS the plottcrs,
after placing the bomb In pew, arose
to leave the church the detective
reached over, snuffcd out the fuse and
struck down one Of his erstwhile com
panons with the bomb. Other mem
bcrs Of the bomb squad were in posi-
tion to arrest all the others Of the
band
Pugilnano's lungs became affected as
II result of living in unhealthy sur
roundings with the anarchists, and he
is still confined to q sa1Atarium in tke
mountains. He was informed two we"ks
ago ut this sanitarium by Commits
sioncr Enright that he had been re-
duccd to the rank OF patrolman and
assigned to the West Forty-seventh
Street station.
The former bomb expert has not
been able to report for duty and his
friends say that he could never stand
the rgors Of patrol work, although he
might prove invaluable to the Police
Dc"artmcnt il some )thcr capacity.
Tho bomb squad is now under the
command Of james ]. Gcgan, who, de-
apltc the fact that he ranks only as
sergeant and has had no experience
in bomb work, hus assumed the posi-
ton left vacant by the retirement Of
Tunney. He 'was assigned to this post
by Commissioner Enright.
One Of tho few men who became