The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07
The Politician Is Said to Have
Pulled Down Engineer
Wilson.
ANXIOUS TO BE FIRE CHIEF
A CITY Hall Deal That Has Probably
Been Declared Off by Pub
Lefty.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANc1sco CALL, |

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI
Sos Broadway, Jan. s.
Politicians were treated to surprise to-
day when it became known that Fred A.
Campbell had magnetized City Engineer
Wilson, who is also a member of the Fire
Commission. Tomorrow afternoon, unless
the programme be changed, Fred A.
Campbell, ex-Chairman of the City Central
Republican Committee, will be elected
Chief of the Fire Department by Commits
sioners Wilson and Peirsol.
The regular meeting of the Board of
Fire Commissioners will be held to-mor-
row afternoon, and every effort is being
made to break the slate that is already
prepared. Several months ago Campbell
Vas making strenuous efforts to succeed
Chief Lawton, but at that time a quarrel
with Mayor Davie and misunderstanding
with the two otner Commissioners pre-
vented the change. For some time It has
been known that City Attorney Peirsol
has not been adverse TO CampbelI, put II
is q surprise to every body that wilson
should nave been won over. The only ex-
PLANTATION offered is that Fred CampbelI
has succeeded in magnetlzlng the CITY
Engineer. About two years ago Fred
Campbell made a frst-class record as
magnetic doctor, and only returned 10
politics when it was already demonstrated
to him that he was giving out the force
that was absolutely necessary to sustain
himself Now it is surmlsed that his
force has returned and that he has exer-
cised it on Wilson.
Mayor Dayie, according to the pro-
gramme was to have nominated Campbell,
nut he declined to do this but indicated
that he would vote with the other two. 1t
was formerly arranged that Fred Murdoch,
who is now Assistant Chief, should be pro-
NOTED, but this was not acceptable be-
cause it was thought that Murdoch might
be somewhat sympathetic with the old
board known as the ring" Now the fear
of contamination from the ring seems
to have died out, as Campbell has been q
leading politician for many years. This IS
the more surprising as Wilson stated a
few months ago that he would never vote
for Campbell.
There is nothing against the present
Chief, Lawton, but it has long been a rec
ogniZed custom that the Board OF Works
must change the heads OF departments
every TWO or three years, and in conform
ity with this custom change would have
been made several months ago, but lack Of
harmony alone prevented il.
This change is the medium by which
the departments are kept in pc, tics,
although every fort is made to make it
dpPeat o1ilei WISE i ne lie" OHlel, III
either the Police or Fire Department, can
always be depended upon to make such
showing as will secure the dismissal, APP
pointment or reinstatement of the
political friends of the administration.
Should Campbell be appointed to the Fire
Department there is no doubt that the
effects OF politics would be felt at once.
Every effort possible has been brought
to bear on Wilson to induce him to throw
down Campbell, and the friends Of the
would-be chief are equally persistent that
he keep his word. 1t is considered that
the premature unfolding of the scheme
Will prevent its contamination.