The New York herald., 1921-01-15
HAD 10 MONTHS TRIAL
Police Cleared Up Deplor-
able Conditions, Says
Statement.
SPECIAL SQUADS STILL ON
Address Before Kings County
Jury Association Lauds
Work of Cops.

Richard Enright Police Commls-
sioner In 500 word defence OF his
administration, declared last night that
he relieved former Inspector Honest
Dan" Costigan of command cf the vice
SQUAD because Costigan after a ten
months trial failed TO clean up the city
denied that he had abolished the bomb
squad and other special squads created
under former police regimes ana sald
in his opinion the police are l0ins more
work in enforcing prohibition than the
Federal agents. His remark werc de-
Iivered before the Kings County Grand
Jury Association in tho Court House,
Brooklyn.
a. large part Of the prepared state
mcnt was "A reiteration OF his denial
that a crime wave exists. Criticism OF
mis- department has been urwarrantcd,
according to the Commissioner ana the
fault finding has come from "sordid
financial and political interests ana
from the press. His explanation OF the
reduction and transfer of Costigan came
IN reply TO "A question propounded by
an auditor after he had finished reading
his statement.
II tried Costigan out ten months, ne
said. "and at the end OF that time took
his squad away from him and gave u 20
q better man. Inspector Mcdonald.
During the former city and police
administration IL was boldly procialmeI.
and we were told over and over again
until II was actually believed by many
credulous people, that an invinciDle ana
sustained vice crusade was pursued from
day 10 day. The facts are that when ]
took Office / found there were forty-eight
houses OF assignation running, and that
they had been running for many years.
They were nourishing and insolent III the
fancied security bred Of huge profits ana
long freedom from interference OF any
Kind.
Found Gambling Houses TOO.
u found a number OF gambling houses
OF high and low degree which had
fiourishcd for long time. I found out
that Broadway and the side streets
around the White Light district, tho
hotel lobbies, drug stores and Other
places were thronged with women who
openly and boldly were plying their
trade.
There were nine racing information
bureaus with telephone centrals larger
than those maintained by the largest
business houses, through which was dts
tributed all kinds of racing and other
rambling information to countless
number OF gamblers in all parts OF the
city.
"Ali these conditions have been
changed, every gambling house closed,
and the racing information bureaus
driven out OF the city" Mr.. Enright said.
Answering a question OF the alleged
breaking up Of the special squads, En-
right said
such story is false Every squad
that existed in the former administra-
iions exists to-day. and one more has
been added They all have about the
same number OF men. | didn't abolish
tre bomb squad. Commissioners Woods
transferred this squad bodily 30 the
Army Intelligence Service shortly before
ne retired. and some OF the men we're
transferred IN this change. | r'orsan-
ized the bomb squad. IL is to-day doing
better work than the old squad did.
Police Enforcing Walker Biii.
The police have enforced the Walker
bill. he continued discussing the en-
forcement OF prohibition legislation
decision arrived at during conference
or United States attorneys. county at
torneys and others influenced his policy
in issuing orders regarding enforcement
OF the Volstcad act
"It was decided that the police had
nothing 20 do with the enforcement OF
prohibition. but that patrolmcn could
aid Federal agents" MIR. Enright cx-
planned
Changes in the department have been
made because men have failed 20 meas
ure up to standards demanded Ip some
cases there has been insubordination. lac
said.
II have tolerated the disloyalty and
incfficicncy OF men in the department"
lac said, referring 20 some who were
strongly attached 20 former admnistro-
tions. "far beyond the limits Of rea-
sonable tolcratiOn."
No policemen arc holding soft berihs
or sinecures. he insisted.