The morning call., 1894-04-17
POLICE CHANGES.
Clerk Hall and Four Off
GERS Dismissed.
The Only Reason Given Is They
Were Not Wanted = Captain
Dunleavy Transferred.

There was big surprise in police circles
after the meeting of the Commissioners
adjourned. For about an hour prior to
the adjournment the board was in execu-
tive session. and then Chief Crowley made
an important announcement.
He said the board had dismissed Clerk
w. E. Hall from the department.. and the
following patrolmen: William j. Shields,
Patrick j. Jones. George Rsising and W..
A. Dawes. SHIELDS, Jones and Reising
were members of the Chinatown squad.
under Sergeant Spillane. which was
changed a few days ago. Dawes has been
on the lottery detail for some years.
Among the changes were the transfer of
Captain Dunleavy from the harbor district
to the southern dIstri during the absence
Of Captain Stone through illness, and the
appointment of Sergeant Helms to take
temporary charge of the harbor district.
Sergeant Mahony was appointed in the
night patrol, vice Helms.
The charge againsi Policeman Ernest
Bnde tor neglect of duty was dismissed,
and Policeman Thomas Rourke was fined
SO on similar charge.
The most astonishing piece Of news was
the dismissal of Clerk Hall. The Chief said
all the dismissals were made on his mo-
ton. On being pressed 10 give reasons for
his recommendation would say: "We
don't " ant them. That is the only reason
will give" He was reminded that the
discharged off ers should have the right
ol knowing what had led TO their sum-
mary dismissal. but he only said the board
acted with n their rights in dropping them
from the roll as had been done in numerous
Instances before.
II is conceded that there must be some
thing radically wrong or man like Clerk
Hall, who has held such a responsible
position for several years. or palrolman
ike w. j. Shields, who was specially COM
plimented in the presence of the watch at
the Central police station for his pluck in
Capturing the murderer Fredercks, would
not be accorded -uch summary treatment.
The Commission rs present at the meet
ing we're President Tobin and William
Aiyord. After the charges were heard
against Officers Bode aud R0urke, the
board went into executive session. Clerk
Hall was requested to leave the room, and
Sergeant j. F. Moran was appointed
secretary pro tenn.
Clerk Hall was seen after the meeting
had adjourned and had learned of his dis
missal.
This 10 a paralyzer to me-" he said. 81
ad not the remotest idea that I was to be
dismissed. No one ever SAID word to me
about it CT hinted at ii. | know that /
have some powerful enemies and some of
them are in the department
Can you mink OF any reason why you
should be dismissed ?"
III don't know" he replied, ''unless it
was because l have been in the habit of
expressing MY opinions too strongly in re-
gard to certain points"
What were these points?"
THAT l decline to say at present. /
shall keep my own counsel till am able
to nna out the true facts regarding my
dismissal. My time is coming.
Il have served the department faithfully
for the past sixteen years. and DEFY any
man to say anything against me. Joined
the department in 1878, and from that year
~ 1887 was assistant clerk under Clerk
Alfred Clarke. On his retirement | wa
appointed clerk. and have held that posi-
tion ever since, with the rank of captain.
sWell. am glad am out of the Depart
meDt. had intended sending in my res
ignation anyhow. but the board has fore
stalled me. Considering my faithful ser
vices think they might have at least given
me the chance of rendering my resign alton
and not dismiss me summarily."