The New York herald., 1922-04-11
A Few Already Start Walk
ing Posts; Majority Wait
for Further Orders.
HIDE PARK AVENUE JOB
Home of Mrs. Martha Mac
Cracken Is Looted Of
Priceless Silver. =

Extra ordinary measures taken by
Police Commissioner Enright follow
ing the revelation the police have been
concealing news OF $4,000 robbery
in the apartment of Mrs. Martha Nc
Cracken in SIS Park avenue, precisely
as they attempted to suppress news of
the burglary of Myron C. Taylor's
home in is East Seventeen street,
marked the last twenty-four hours
Of the period of violent crime.
The principal step taken by Enright
amounts virtually to an appeal to the
public to volunteer for police work to
supplement an undermanned force.
The Commissioned directed Deputy
Commissioner Rodman Wanamaker in
charge of the 5000 police reserves to
call this citizen force into service. and
last night considerable proportion
Of experienced volunteers were walk
ing post in aid OF the regulars.
Only a Few Report.
Both Commissioner Wanamaker and
his aide. former Inspector John F.
Dwyer. were out of the city yesterday,
so it could not be learned what steps
are being taken to obtain the release of
the reservists' from their civilian en-
ployment so they can go on police duty.
In the absence of any definite instruc-
tions only a few of the men reported
for duty last night In Manhattan. at
the Fifth street, Clinton street, the
West 152d street, West 177th street and
the West Tooth street stations.
The lieutenants of several stations
said that reseryists had come In to in
quire about their tours of duty. and
had left after being told that no official
orders had been received. At the head
quarters OF the reserves in Greenwich
street last night 1t was said that no one
was in who had sufficient authority to
make public the number of reserves on
duty.
Another measure directed by the ha-
rassed Commissioner was the calling
into night patrol duty OF the majority
Of the motorcycle squad, and this means
tnat about seventy-five armed police
men using motorcycles capable OF speed
ing up to eighty miles an hour will be
combing the streets for crooks and
faspicionable persons throughout the
night. The Commissioner announced
also ne intended to go before the Board
OF Aldermen tomorrow to ask for six
high power motor cars with which to
chase motor. car bandits. 1t has already
been indicated that his request will be
granted and that 100000 will be found
for the purpose.
McCracken Home Looted.
Revelation OF the McCracken robbery
came within a few hours after 1t be-
came known that the home of Myron
C. Taylor. now in the South with his
family, in 16 East Seventieth street had
been robbed by two men who smashed
the plate glass OF the front door. only
a few steps from Fifth avenue. at noon
on Sunday Mrs Martha McCracken.
the widow OF George McC:ackcn. who
died about Ave years ago. and who
formerly lived In Tarryuown. ieft her
apartment on March is, leaving a cook
and maid in charge. They went to the
movies when evening came and did not
return until $50. They found the apart
nent topsyturvy. bureau drawers turned
out upon the rugs. chests overturned
and the silver closet as bare as Mother
Hubbard's cupboard.
More than $4,000 In almost priceless
old silver which had come dowE to Mrs.
McCracken from several generations of
her family; considerable jewelry and
clothing we're taken. The robbery was
reported to the police of the East Sixty
seventh street station. the station house
where the news OF the Taylor robbery
was kept from all the newspapers yes
terday morning. except THE New York
HERALD. Under Capt. Wall of that
station detectives have been investgat-
ing the robbery for nearly a month with
no apparent results. II Is supposed the
burglars got into the apartment from
fire escape and window. and that they
gained access to the fire escape from the
roof OF an adjoining garage.
Evidently the McCracken visitors were
rouftuued on Pare Seven