The San Francisco call., 1896-08-09
DOMINATED BY POLITICS,
Heads Of Departments Were Dis
charged to Make Room
for Friends.
Mayor Davie Replies in Detail to the
Charges Made by Peirsol
and Wilson.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, !

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CAILl
908 Broadway, Aug. 8. !
Mayor Davie does not intend to rest un-
der the charges made by Mr.. Peirsol and
Mr.. Wilson, his colleagues on the Board
of Works.
To-day the Mayor issued the following
letter:
I did not intend to pay any attention to
what Mr. Wilson is reported to have said in
the press, as it was not over his own signature,
but when Mr.. Peirscl sends to the press a
signed article I must give his statements at
tention and the public the facts.
1t is a fact that the Police and Fire depart
ments are being turned into political ma
chimes. In proof of that statement Mr.. Wilson
admits that members of the said departments
came to him for instruction how to vote and
work in the coming primaries. None of the
members Of the depaartmentSW tine Wsn came to me and
am member of the Police and Fire Commits
sion. Why?
That Peirsol and Wilson have replaced old
and trusted mem pers of the Police and
Fire departments and also of all other depart
ments under their control with their friends
and relatives, who have had no experience in
their respective positions, is true.
That as Commissioner have refused to sit
and hear charges against certain officers is
true, the reason being that the charges were
groundless and only made to create vacancy
statement of Mr.. Persol wherein he says no
one has been dismissed without Investigation.
That statement is absolutely false, as the rec
ords of the Board of Public Works and the
Board of Police and Fire Commissioners will
prove First on the list of removals without
cause is the Chief of Police, Louis Schaffer. one
of the most competent and efficient officers
this city has ever had. This was done In vio-
lation of sections 1919 and 206 of the city
charter. When asked TO resign by Mr.. Piersol,
Chief Schaffer asked upon what grounds and
Mr. Peirsol replied: 1--WE have no fault to find
with the manner in which you conducted
your Office, but the political pressure is so
strong that we must take action
The Chief of the Fire Department was also
removed without cause or trial. He was a
man of many years experience in fire matters
and his place was flied by man who had
nayer had any experience as q member of any
fire department. Also the superintendent OF
Streets and deputies were removed without
trial or Investigation. The chief assessment
clerk who was known to be competent for the
place was removed and the position given to q
son OF the then editor of Industry, Mr.. Bretz
The outcome of this appointment is known to
the whole city.
There are others which will not mention,
but which can be demonstrated by reference
to the records of the several departments.
What / said in connection with the resolu-
ton adopted at the last meeting of the Police
bers not to take part in the politics OF the COM
ing primaries, was said in an open meeting of
the board, ana / repeat what then said-that
the resolution to keep the firemen and police
men out OF politics was entirely unnecessary,
as the rules and regulations of the depart
ments prohibit fremen and policemen in tax
ing part in political campaigns I then re-
garded and now regard the resolution as
merely bid on the part OF Peirsol and wilson
for political affiliation with the candidates
who may come up for election next tall.
J. l. DAvIE, Mayor.
Il