The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-15
WILL SETTLE IN COURT.
Pending the Outcome the New
Commissioners Intend
to Reign.
SOON TO BE ADJUDICATED.
The Supreme Bench VIII To-Day
Decide the Question of an
Extra Session.

OMAHA, NEBR., Aug. 14.-Chief Justice
Norval of the Supreme Court telegraphed
to the World Herald this evening that he
had called meeting of the Supreme Court
at Lincoln for tomorrow to consider the
matter of an extra session for the consider
alton of the Omaha police trouble.
The new Fire and Police Board to-day
Joined the old board in telegram to the
Supreme Court offering to submit the
question at once if special session can be
called now. Meanwhile, however, there
will be no delay on the part of the new
board in proceeding with the reorganiza-
ton of the police force. The new board
held session this evening to perfect the
details of the new order of things.
A large crowd of sightseers was attracted
to the City Hall this morning by the pub
lished statements that the new Board of
Fire and Police Commissioners would hold
its first regular session. The rooms of the
Fire and Police Board on the third floor
were occupied by large squad OF police
men, and when a reporter knocked for
admittance Detective Hayes opened the
door a few inches, set his foot against
it and refused admission. Chief Whites
Office was guarded by three policemen,
who filled the doorway, and here again
admission was refused.
At GAS a crowd Of about 800 which had
been gathering from all sources entered
the building and assembled to the second
floor to the Office of the superintendent of
the building, which had been set apart for
the use of the new board. The crowd was
oic Of inhf r
seers, and no friction or disturbance was
witnessed, though considerable laughter
and sarcastic smiles were INDUCED in at
the presence of the silver-buttoned men
guarding the chiefs Office.
1t was nearly 1920 o'clock before Fire
and Police Commissioners Breach, Foster
and Vandervoort entered the building.
Their appearance was the signal for
general handclapping and rush for
the new Commissioners Office. The Com
missioners held short consultation, which
ended in the writing of the following letter
to the members of the defunct board, in
answer to the communication sent to the
new board last night, agreeing to the sub
mission of the contentious to the Supreme
Court.
To the Hon. George Bemis, Glenn Deausr and
Charles Brouon-GENTLEMEN: The undersigned
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your communication of the 18th inst. in rela-
ton to the matters in dispute between the
old and new Board of Fire and Police Commits
sioners, and will take pleasure in comforting
with you at the earliest convenience. Very re-
spectfully yours, w. ]. BBoATcH,
A. C. FOSTER,
PAUL VANDERvooRT.
The letter was sent to the Mayors Office
to the old board, and letter was shortly
received in reply, agreeing to a conference
to be held at the Mayors Office forthwith.
Upon receipt of the letter the new board,
accompanied by Attorney Hall, immedi-
ately adjourned to the Mayors office to
enter into consultation.
Secretary Vandevoort said before retiring
that the members of the new board had
been waiting for the old board to express
an intention to accept a proposition for an
immediate submission of the rights of the
two boards to the Supreme Court, so that
the legality of one board could be finally
established by that tribunal. After being
in conference for there.quarters of an hour
the meeting of the two boards adjourned,
having agreed upon sending kilograms to
Governor Holcomb, Attorney General
Churchill and the members OF the Supreme
Court. The telegram sent to the Governor
and Attorney-Gener is as follows:
To Hon. Sizes a. Holcomb Governor and Hon.
4. s. Churchill, Attorney General Lincoln, Ne6r:
If the Supreme Court will meet at an early
late all the members of the two boards of Fire
and Police Commissioners will unite in a re-
quest for an early hearing. Can you get the
court to fix short date? Answer.
GEORGE P. BEMIs,
w. ]. BRoATCH.
The following telegram was sent to Judge
T. L. Norval at Seward, Judge T. G. o.
Harrison at Grand Island and Judge A. M.
Post at Columbus, they comprising the
Judges of the Supreme Court:
All parties agree to submit police matters to
the Supreme Court If early hearing can be
had. GEORGE ?. BEMIs.
w. J. BRoATCH.
Should the court at its meeting to-mor-
row decide on an early session it will be
matter of only few days before final
decision is had and the question of the
validity Of the new board settled. The
members of the new board will maintain
their position that they are the legally
elected board during the tendency of the
legal controversy. They are in session
this evening to arrange the necessary de-
tails preliminary to taking an active part
in the government of the departments of
Fire and Police.