The San Francisco call., 1897-10-15
CUNST AND LEES DISPUTlNG
Alvord Knows Nothing of the
Games Conducted at the
Palace and Baldwin.
POKER.PLAYING AT THE BURLINGTON.
If Moses Wants the Town Run Wider
Open Than 1t Is He Should Ask
Tobin and Alvord to Resign.

There was much talk in the town yes
terday when it transpired that Commits
sioner AIvord had sought to bring about
a reconciliation between Lees and Gunst,
bu, that neither would accept the olive
branch.
When the language used by Chief Lees
and Commissioner Gunst in addressing
each other ct the meeting of tha Board of
Police Commissioners Wednesday night
seemed to indicate close proximity to the
danger line of dialogue Commissioner AL
word interposed 70 suggest that the bellig
erents should shake hands with each other
and cease the strife. The suggestion caused
q temporary cessation of hostilities, but
the disputants did not clasp hands
The fight is on and may &c conducted to
a finish. Lees has resolved that the town
shall not be run wide open to suit the
Gunst constituency.
Yesterday Commissioner Alvord was
asked on behalf of The CALL if ne knew
in his official capacity as Police Commis-
sioner that a big poker game. under the
protection OF Commissioner Gunst, was
running at the Baldwin Hotel. Mr.. AL
edge.
Commissioner Alvord was also asked if
he lad knowledge that big poker game
was in tulI blast at the Palace Hotel and
that the game had the protection of the
Chief of Police. Mr.. Alvord SAID he had
no knowledge of the existence of such a
game.
The controversy between Lees and
Gunst excttes public surprise. 1t is sus-
pected that there Is much more in the
background than the little difference of
opinion as to whether Lees used his o.
fetal power to shield Fige. In this case
ii is accepted as a conclusion that Auh
anu Gunst did a good deal OF talking
through their tiles, or, at least, Ach talked
through Gunst's hat. Men VINO ought to
know the true inwardness of the contro-
yersy between the Chief and Commits
sioner Gunst talk freely enough, but
object to the use OF their names as au-
thority.
One man who has facilities for getting
light as 10 the true cause OF the dispute
remarked yesterday: at is plain enough
that big profits are expected from the
gam bling and privileges incident TO the
racing season that IS about to open. Lees
and his followers do not want to see Gunst
and his crowd get away with everything
il sight. Everything is expected to go
this season. The gam blers will be here
from all parts OF the country. Lees SAYS
distinctly that the town shall not be run
wide OPEN
Nothing would please Gunst it is said,
more than the displacement OF Lees and the
appointment of a pretty man 10 the chief
fancy OF the police force. For many years
the Washoe Club ran along beautifully.
10 Gunst the game was source of profit,
and one officer was considerate enough to
look elsewhere for an opportunity to dis
play mis- ability ana sagacity as an officer
OF the law.
Lees, on the contrary, is stubborn. He
knew when he was appointed that
Gunst, while voting for him, had not
buried the hatchet. Old Red Cloud, the
Indian Chief, used to say that when he
buried the Ratchet he did not leave the
handle sticking out of the ground. Only
the blade of the hatchet for Lees was COW
cred with earth. The handle was visible
and the weapon is now hourished.
The fight between Lees and Gunst NAV
become so hot that General Barnes, who
is an old time friend of the Chief, NAV be
persuaded to hire Metropolitan Temple
and tell the true history OF the trade that
induced Governor Markham to appoint
Gunst to succeed Dan Burns. W. H. H.
Hart is supposed to know the inside facts
but if he knows he won't tell. Another
man who was very close to the Markham
administration said yesterday: II am
accredited with holding more knowledge
on this topic than possess. In my judg-
ment Burns and Gunst are the ONLY per-
sons that know the inside of the deal
Markham himself does not know.
''If Gunst had stood up in a room with
a dozen men Markham could not have
picked him out. The appointment was
made at the request OF Burns. Gunst
claimed at the time that he was Repub-
lican-having bet money on Markham's
election and voted for him. 1t is mere
conjecture on my part, but l fancy that
Burns regarded Gunst as a man who
knew how to handle the business of racing
and gam bling. l think your informant is
right about the real cause OF the present
dispute between Gunst and Lees. The
Figel case has very little to do with it. It
is the old contest about racing and
gambling. Gunst wants an open town
and Lees is standing in his way Yes. I
suppose both of them know about the
games at the Baldwin and Palace. Thev
may settle the matter between themselves
and leave the town half open. All the
sports, FOUNDERS and loun- ers are expected
here this winter, and they will be disap-
pointed if the town is run Close"
The gam bling fraternity of the Pacific
Coast will be grievously disappointed if
San Francisco is not conducted as an open
town this winter. The gamblers and the
followers OF the racecourse have been
counting on the widest latitude in the
pursuit OF their calling in this city. Stories
OF the hardest kind OF luck in other towns