Word: whalen
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Mulrooney for Whalen...
...Rothstein murder case (TIME, Dec. 24, 1928), New York City's popular, publicity-loving Mayor James John ("Jimmy") Walker chose not a criminologist but a capable diverter of public opinion to be police commissioner. It was his longtime official greeter of distinguished guests, efficient and immaculate Grover Aloysius ("Gardenia") Whalen, general manager of Wanamaker's Department Store...
Immediately, newsworthy things happened to the police force, topping and eventually extinguishing the Rothstein headlines. Independent of everyone, Commissioner Whalen organized an Air Unit, a training college, a magazine, dressed his men in lapel uniforms with Sam Browne belts, sent them forth to apply new, efficient traffic regulations, and to raid notorious nightclubs. His recent "disclosure" to Congress of "Red" plots in the U. S., put him into the national news. He reduced major crime in the metropolis; at a banquet some 2,000 citizens begged him to remain in office...
...come to the latest scene in the everlasting New York municipal comedy, that of Grover Whalen tearfully relinquishing the keys of office as the strains of the Maine Stein Song rise from the beret-covered ranks of the police school rookies. Despite the singing, the hearts beneath the natty gray sweaters are sad because the chief is leaving. No more will the pastel shade of the berets change in advance of the latest Hollywood college styles...
Maybe when the Whalen trained youth don the blue of authority, they will remember their college days. It behooves us to learn the police words. Then when an irate cop orders us to drive over to the curb we can wait till he comes alongside and then swing into the stirring chorus...