Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-05-17
POLICE REPORT
At So. AMbOY
Force Not Likely to be Re-
duced in Economy Move in
That City

-
advanced by Councilman @. Frank
Disbrow. The councilman from the
fourth ward following up the econ
omy started by the Demo-
crat members of the council. point
ed 10 the police department as a
likely place to start cutting dow
the expenses Of the city. claiming
that by reducing the force by four
men a saving OF $4,000 a year could
be realized.
The move created quite a sensa-
ion throughout the city and FUR
uished material for town talks In
every section OF the city. Property
owners in all walks of life discussed
tbs matter and many were loud in
acclaiming the move worthy of con-
sideration, while others just sat
back and listened.
Police circles gathered up the
news and accordingly Chief of Po-
lice James Mcdonnell. commune
Gated with the city fathers denounc-
ing the nov and CLEANING that the
city was at that time being poorly
policed, adding that heavy traffic
through the city demanded the at
IGNITION of the extra police. and
showed where that department was
really in need of more men. instead
If less. The letter itself was criti-
cised by those in favor OF oustins
part of the present police depart
ment.
The police committee in their re-
port said that after consultation
with the chief of police and care
full consideration of his letter to the
council ani in conversation with
property owners throughout the city
that they were of the opinion at
this time that there could be no re-
duction in the amount o: the police
department appropriation. adding
that with the best interest of the
city and the continued security or
the life and property of he people
they took such action.
Councilman Lovely under the
head of remarks, sounded a deep
chord when he charged that 1t was
moi the voice OF the people that de-
manded the removal of the extra
men on the force. The four men
that would have 10 leave the force
are ex-service men, three soldiers
and one sailor.
"Those men who have fought so
bravely and nobly that democracy
might live. are entitled to the po-
sitions'' he said. and | for one
would never raise a hand 10 remove
them. The people have not said they
wanted those men removed, there
has been no petitions sent to the
council. as yet demanding a reduc-
ton in the force
Councilman Disbrow at this time
said: II like the way Mr.. Lovely
talks. The only thing missing was
the brass band and flag waving. l
too am an ex~-service man, u dld
the soldiers send me hereE NO
the taxpayers sent me TO look AFTER
my interests and theirs. want
10 say that as an e~x-sorvlce man. L
wouldn't hold a job thai was max
ing a burden to the taxpayers.
THE reason | took the matter up
was 70 show you people where you
could save $4,000 a year. No n
here has yet showed the way Tor d
real saving. Councilman Lovely
had an ordinance repealed seNeral
weeks ago. that resulted in saving
the city approximately htteeh eehts
per hour. I'm here TO save money
and not to fire cops. Il
Councilman Delaney took a hand
m the ndIItt Wilch ~ A'N 49,
referred TO, he said: The peopfe
will shortly find out where the so.oo
came from. and it will probably be
q big surprise to many. l want to
nav that at the present time the city
il being run on a more economical
basis than IL ever was o
THE report on motion Of Council
man Lovely was received and filed.
and the entire council voted yes.
At a recent meeting Councilman
Disbrow asked hat the city sohc-
itor furnish advice on the matter
OF disposing with some Of the police
force. The solicitor, in writing, FUR
nished his opinion at the meeting
last night.
The communication in part read;
The members of the police force
are under q tenure of office ana
under ordinary circumstances may
only be removed from their pest
tons for cause. He cited the case OF
Runge VS.. the Town of West HOBO
ken. where there is a bona hde IN
tent TO lessen the burden of expense
TO the Justice Minturn in
this case ruled that police officers
NAV be removed without the neces-
sity of preferring charges against
them. In this case though, the po-
sitions held by Runge and MS lei
low plaintiffs were abolished.
another case cited is the case
of Cahill VS.. West Hoboken' a later
case than the Runge case. Justice
bergen held that the only way in
which an incumbent can be deprived
of his Office without charges is In
exact conformity with h terms OF
the statute under which he appoint
ment was made.
Under this decision it is my opin-
ION that the only way IN when any
member or members of the police de-
partment can be removed from ONCE
il by the repeal of the ordinance
establishing a police department,
which would be tantamount to
abolishing the entire police depart
ment," the letter said.
Councilman Disbrow arose under
remarks, and referred to cases at
West New York, N. j.. where similar
proceedings have been carried on.
Mr.. Disbrow commended that n
opinions of the justices hat tried
the cases were to the effect. thak a
repeal of the ordinance appointing
the men was all that was necessary.
But after all, We are perched on a
high elevation of expense, what we
need Is to get down where a real
campaign of economy is needed"
he said. He then fiayed the police
committee for their action on the
letter of the chief of police. claiming
that IL was uncalled for to ask a
man in the ranks for his opinion and
that II was unnecessary.
The motion to receive and file the
opinion of the solicitor was passed
with Counciimen Stockton and Dis
brow voting no.