New-York tribune., 1920-11-30
Wait Till Enrigl,t Gets
Back, Is Police Refrain

John A. Leach, acting Police Com
missioner, said yesterday that when
Police Commissioner Richard +. En-
right got back from the tropics he
would proclaim in public places swhat
the newspapers were doing to the city
Commissioner Enright has been
silent long enough" said the acting
Commissioner. land when he returns
he is going to every cathedral and
church and public place to tell the
people what the newspapers are doing
to the city,
The acting Commissioner was the
only official at Police Headquarters
whom reporters succeeded even in
seeing concerning the exposure of po-
lice methods in The Tribune, William
J. Lahey, the chief inspector, who has
actual command OF all the policemen
IN the department, <efusing to grant
an audience. Commissioner Leach was
willing to be seen, but not to be heard.
'Not thing to say" he said. you'll
have to wait until the Commissioner
comes back December IS, when his
leave expires"
While the reporters were WAITING to
see the Acting Commissioner, they
colslted six policemen, each getting
$3.50 year, doing Office boy or junior
clerk work. Two men, both policemen,
approached the reporters to carry in
10 the Acting Commissioner the infor-
nation that two men wanted to talk
with him.
During the wait patrolman in uni
form came into the office carrying mail
and memoranda to be distributed.
Another carried in an order to be
signed by the Acting Commissioner.
Two others were doing clerical work in
the outer Office
The office the Acting Commissioner
is using Is not that occupied by Mr..
Enright. In Enright's Office a force
Of patrolmen, said to be larger than
sloner's office, is employed, with ap-
rarently nothing to do for the month
that Mr.. Enright will take for his vaca-
ton
The Acting Commissioner was told
that an unsuccessful effort had been
made to see Chief Inspector Lahev and
that Lahey had referred all inquiries
to Mr.. Leach. He was asked to give
Chief Inspector Lahey permission to
talk and again he replied: mot until
the Commissioner returns"
with a reporter for a news agency.
That agency sent out the following
story to the afternoon and morning
newspapers:
"Chcf Inspector William J. Lahev
and several Deputy Police Commits
sloners during the last few nights
have been making midnight inspections
of police stations and studying police
conditions in general in the various
horoughs, according to statement
made to-day by Acting Commissioner
John A. Leach.
''Thc Acting Commissioner was asked
whether he had any comment to make
en- the compilation in The Tribune to-
csy regarding the number of crimes
In New York since the beginning of the
year. Commissioner Leach replied he
had no comment tc make
He then was asked whether anv
fction had been taken on the recent
suggestion Of Mayor Hylan in a letter
to Police Commissioner Richard F.
Enright that the deputy commissioners
address meetings of civic organizations
for the purpose OF explainina police
conditions In New York.
Commissioner Leach replied the
deputy. commissioners would begin max
I.g such addresses in the near future.
He then spoke of the midnight inspcc-
tons, which, no said. would continue
1ndcfinitcly