New-York tribune., 1920-12-23
Amateur Detectives Urged
to Trap Crooks as Rifle
Patrol Fails to End Safe
Cracking and Robbery
Court Increases
Bail Bonds of 2O4
Phone Company Told to
Give Preference TO Po-
lice Calls Seek US. Law
to Stop Pistol Carving

Police Commissioner Richard t..
Enright called upon the public last
night to inform the police at once
not only of any crime, but OF any
suspicious circumstances amateur
sleuths might discover. He said he
had asked the telephone company 10
give preference to police calls
He did not say, however, whether
this appeal was inspired by the fact
that police auto squadrons, rifle
brigades and other crime pursuing
agencies have secured the streets for
seventy-two hours without reporting
any arrest of importance.
Mr.. Enright's curiosity concerning
crimes that are happening in the
city was partially gratified yestcr-
day by reports of two new safe rob
berries which yielded a total of $1,000
in loot. and sundry minor robberies
and other offenses.
bdll increases Ordered
Judge John T. Mcintyre in pursuance
Of the plan decided upon by all the
judges Of General Sessions as rcpres-
sive measure, summoned to his part OF
General Sessions 204 men indicted on
felony charges, most of whom had beer
at liberty under bail and ordered them
to produce additional surety at once
The prevailing rates were S25. 900 in
the case Of d. robbery charge, $4,000
in the case of a burglary charge. So
00O when the charge was illegal pos
session Of a revolver, and $4,000 if the
charge was picking pockets. One hun-
dred and sixty-one Of the defendants
were unable to furnish the additional
bail demanded ana were sent to the
Tombs
Acting Inspector John D. Coughlin.
commanding the detective bureau, an
lounced he was making Il determined
effort 10 find out who puts up the col
lateral and arranVes for the bailing Of
prisoners CHARGED with robbery by
surety companies The police suspect
that often part Of the loot Of hold-up-
is deposited to indemnify the bonding
companies
Arthur Woods. former Police Com
missioner. points out in an article in
the current number OF The Weekly Re
view the danger Of making promotions
IN the Police Department simply III the
order OF eligibility or for political rea-
SONS. That is the policy being fol
lowed ROW. he says. and is one which
will lead 10 an inefficient staff Of Off
GERS and an insubordinate rank and
lille He tells in detail of the develop
ment Of the police training school dur
ing his regime.
Jersey May Stop Gun Sales
George =. lie Brun. secretary Of the
Legislative League for the Conserva
tion Of Human Life, believes that the
failure Of New jersey to place any re
strictions on the sale OF pistols /
partly responsible for the reign
criminal terrorism. His organizatlcn
intends 70 take the matter up with
Governor Edwards and also has draft
ed bill Tor presentation before Cor
eress forbidding the carrying OF pistols
by national statute.
Rumors that Commissioner tnrlgnt
intended 20 resign. that Chief Inspector
Lahey was TO be reduced and that q
general transfer involving the reln-
statement OF men who held executive
posts under Commissioner Woods was
imminent were to be heard in almost
any police station. Apparently. the
lumors were without foundetioY'-
Commissioner Enright's appeal TO
the public for tips on crime and crooks
follows:
II have requested the New York
Telephone Company to give preference
20 calls from citizens for Police Head
quarters or any police station, so that
in event Of trouble or need for help
police officer can be rushed Immediately
10 the place where his services are
needed.
Instructions TO Citizens
"C.tizens are requested 10 promptly
report TO Police Headquarters, to the
nearest police station or any police
officer any suspicious circumstances.
Where motor vehicles are concerned
the number Of the car. and if possible
description Of the occupants should
be taken.
"Citizens having any information re
gardlng the movement OF criminals, o.
any information which may be Of value
to this department, are requested 10
tr~nsmit it TO Police Headquarters.
either telephone OF mail.
Call Police Headquarters,> Spring
300 and ask for crime information.
Many people possessing knowledge
which may be OF great importance TO
this department refrain from impart-
ing it to the police authorities because
Of the trouble it may give them to
take the necessary step or because of
lack of knowledge as TO how or to
when the Information will be treated
contidentally.
Garage owners should give special
attention 10 suspicious cars or sus-
picious persons using cars, particular
~ in the night time, and promptly re-
port the circumstances 10 the police.
Orders have been issued to stop
parking of automobiles in front Of
hax la Ia.