The morning call., 1893-07-12
THREE HEADS OFF
Policemen Are SummarilV
Dismissed.
ENGAGED IN CROOKED WORK
w. e. Donnellan, James Fitzgerald
and Frank X. Farrell Were Found
Wanting in Honesty.

Quite a sensation was created in police
circles yesterday by the report of the
action OF the Board of Police Com
missloners in dismissiDg Officers Will
liam E. Donnellan, James Fitzgerald
and Frank x. Farrell from the
force on Monday night at an executive
meeting, and with view of ascertaining
the cause of this summary action of the
board a CALL reporter visited the resi-
dence OF Chief of Police Crowley at 1929
Sacramento street, but was unable to SEE
that official. as he is confined 10 his home
by sickness. The physician who is attend
ing him mas forbidden him TO see any
one, as he must have absolute quiet, in
order to recover from the effects of q
congestive chill which attacked him on
Monday.
The reporter then visited the Hibernia
Bank, where he met r. J. Tobin. president
of the Board of Police Commissioners.
and asked him about the dismissal OF the
officers named.
Mr.. Tobin, after moments reflection.
said
mo. sir; do not think of any statement
care to make; in fact. do not think |
ought to make any statement"
But, Mr.. TObin, you doubtless are
are much Interested in the actions If your
board. and, knowing the character and
standing of you gentlemen who compose
II, they WILL nc doubt, want 10 hear your
side of the case. as most likely the de-
posed officers will have tale Of woe 10
IN burden themselves of
"Wen," said Dir. Tobn, "all | think you
need say is that our reason for dismiSsing
these men was because we had incnntestab be
evidence that they had been guilty of
fragrant violation Of official trus and re-
sponsibiIty and had dishOuored their
office. ! GU see these men had been selected
on account OF their high standing and repu-
tation for efficiency, and were detailed
specially for this service In the Chinese
quarter and on account of their long ana
meritorious service Oh the force Dom
nellan having beer on the force for over
nine, Farrell for over three and Fitzgerald
tor nearly two years. and while the last
two had not been very long in tie service,
yet their records of service commended
them"
well. Mr.. Tobin. how then would you
define their otfense if you feel at liberty to
do sop
NV ell, you may call it general crooked
ness. and that our action in Diminishing
them was had on the recommendation OF
Chief Crowley, whose official report, sup
ported by satisfactory evidence. we acted
upon"
Gan yon state the nature OF that evil
dence, Mr.. TObln ."
mo, | cannot consistently. You see it
would not do. for if the officers were to
learn our sources of information or our
method Of obtaining it it would seriousl,
impair our methods of discipline and Grip
pie our efforts to maintain efficiency in the
service"
'Have these men any appeal from your
action, Mr. Tobin ?"
mo. sir. Our action is final Wa a n
not act hastily. but investigate thoroughly,
and if we fad only an error of judgment
OF overzeal OR any way in which we can
exercise leniency, we give the officer the
benefit of every doubt. but when wa have
such evidence as we had in the case of
these men we act promptly and decisively.
We cannot do otherwise.
These men all came very highly recon-
mended and on these Recommendations
from citizens of high standing they re-
ceived their appointments. and now what
do you think of men with families depend