The San Francisco call., 1897-10-14
AN ARMED
TRUCE IS
DECLARED
Commissioner Gunst and
Chief Lees Come To-
gether.
STORMY SESSION OF THE BOARD.
The Figel Case the Cause of a
Long and Aoriminous
Discussion.
LEFT TO FIGHT 1T OUT ALONE.
Alvord and Tobin Leave the Com
batants Together in the Room.
The End Not Yet.
LEFT TO FIGHT IT OUT ALONE.
Alvord and Tobin Leave the Com
batants Together in the Room.
The End Not Yet.

Police Com missioner NJ. A. Gunst and
Chief OF Police Lees have declared an
armistice. Hostilities are likely to be re-
newed at any time, but for the present
they have agreed 10 bury their N utual dis
esteem and keep their affairs to them
selves.
The Board Of Police Commissioners met
last night in one of the stormiest sessions
since the famous trial of Captain. tren
sergeant, Whitman. The entire proceed
ings we're on the star chamber order and
every approach 10 the Com missioners'
room was guarded by stalwart police
man, but the members of the board at
times pitched their voices so loud that
words and sentences would float out
through the open transom-
Chiei Lees, resplendent in all the gold
lace that adorns his dress uniform. was
the first 10 enter the chambe Commits
sioner Gunst arrived in few minutes
and was followed almost Immediately by
Messrs. Aivor1 and Tobin, the other two
mem bers of the board.
The session began at 7:15 O'Clock. the
charges against PatroImen John a. Ryan
for neglect of duty and William Kearney
business to De considered. Both charges
were dismissed in short order, and the
clerk took pains to come out and an
nounce to those in waiting in the cor
ridor that there was 10 further business 10
come up
But the board did not adjourn. The
mlnu,es rolled on and after time the
voices of the Commissioners were raised
/ in animated d scussion. The battle was
on, and the Figel case was the fighting
ground. There could be no doubt of that,
for the name of Ach was frequently heard.
Chief Lees apparently openel the en-
gagement for the dee . rum Bile of his chest
notes were the first that wevs heard. Then
Commissioner Gunst souEGed the charge,
and when his colleague, Tob:n, entered the
fray the action became general.
Com missioner Alvord did not seem to
take much part in the proceedings, bnt
the others INDUCED in a general mix-up.
their voices, high-pitched, sounding out
simultaneously at intervals. Then would
come luli only to be broken by another
babel of voices.
Once, when Mr.. Gunst apparently had
the floor 10 himself, he warmed up to his
subject with such fervor that this SEN
tenee was plainly audible:
Yes, l made those statements and l
will stand by them"
Then the discussion assumed a milder
tone. At $3.50 clock the door opened
and Com missioners Tobin and AlYord
emerged and disappeared down the
gloomy corridor.
Every body waited for the other two to
come out, but the door was again closed,
and the minutes sped on until 9:45, when
Gunst and Lees appeared tosether and
started toward the Chiefs office, IN the
Larkin-street wing.
The Commissioners face showed traces
of agitation and there was belligerent
swing 10 his walk that testified to his de-
termination to fight 1t out to the bitter
end. he was angry clear through and he
took little pains TO conceal the fact. Chief
Lees was self-possessed enough, but his
features bore somewhat troubled ex-
preston.
At the Larkin-street corridor Mr.. Gunst
announced that he was going home. but
moment until he could change his ciothes,
and SAID he would go with him.
well, I'll only wait minute" replied
the Commissioner, and ne stepped into
the main Office while the Chief passed on
into his private room.
While he was waiting repeated efforts
were made to get Mr.. Gunst to make a
statement, but 10 every question he an
swered shortly: II have nothing what
ever to say.
He even refused to state whether
charges had been preferred against the
Chief, ana nnaIlY turned ana aDru pity
left the office without seeing Chief Lees
again.
The latter was detained in his private
office nearly quarter OF an hour, and
when he finally emerged. was as close
mouthed as the other. TO every question
put to him he refused to make any state
ment whatever.
WAS the Figel case under discussion ?"
he was asked.
Before the Com missiouers-no."
WAS it discussed after Messrs. Tobin
aud Alvord left the rooIn?'
81 decline TO answer that or any other
question"
Soon after he started for his home in
company with his son, while Commits
sioner Gunst visited his place of business
on Ellis street and AT II o'clock went TO
his residence.
1t is quite certain that no charges have
been preferred against the Chief, but il is
also certain that the Commissioner Is de-
termined 10 continue the warfare and that
the present cessation OF hostiiities is only
temporary.
When the matter is taken rp by the
board it is probable that Commissioner
Tobin will join forces with Gunst, while
AIvord will support the Chief.