The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28
WHITMAN NOW
LEv|ES TRIBUTE
FOR SWORDS
Patrolmen Under Him
Again Assessed.
HE WILL RIVAL CHIEF LEES
MAJORITY OF THE MEN ARE
AFRAID TO OBJECT.
They Are All Expected to Pay Fifty
Cents Toward Voluntary Con-
tribution Fund Next
Month.
HE WILL RIVAL CHIEF LEES
MAJORITY OF THE MEN ARE
AFRAID TO OBJECT.

Police Captain Whitman, he of the
clammy hand and cold feet, and the SER
geants under him will on the next dress
parade cut a wide swathe and rival the
venerable Chief Lees and his gaudy uni
form. Whitman is going to have sword
of finest finish; the sergeants will also
have swords. but not of so fine make. 1t
is needless to say that the swords will
not be paid for by Whitman or the SER
geants. They will come in the shape OF
voluntary contribution" from the men
under them voluntary contribution"
in this instance is term used In police
circles instead of arbitrary assessment
Each and every patrolman will on the
first of next month step up to the Cap
tains office" and contribute" 80 cents
out of his hard earned wages toward
the sword fund None of the men will
refuse to contribute" A failure to do
SO would mean a call to walk the car
pet" in the Police Commissioners office
on the slightest provocation. A police
captain and a police sergeant are to be
feared by the unfortunate patrolman who
does not contribute" when he is asked
to do so.
Just who originated the sword presenta-
ton idea is not known, but there Is
lurking suspicion In the minds OF the pa
trolmen that 1t emanated from the Ter
tile mind of Captain Whitman. Lleuten-
ant Birdsall and Sergeant Nash are the
men who were delegated to levy the vol
untary" contribution.
When the officers under BirdsaN report
ed for duty Thursday evening he In.
formed them that a Contribution" of so
cents from each of them when they drew
their next salary would be applied to a
Whitman and the sergeants.
"Of course you are not compelled to pay
to tt,iS do 1' SO. said Birdsal in suave tone
Understand, IL is not compulsory, ne
continued, land If any officer does not feel
like contributing let him say SO now. lou
must understand that the swords will be
the property of the department, and when
any of you are raised to the rank of ser
geant, a sword will be awaiting YOU All
in favor of the contribution will say aye"
A death-like stiffness fell over the as
sembly hall. Then there were few CHR
BlrdsaIl looked panied and surprised.
He was unable TO realize. for a moment
that any patrolman would object to pay
ing the voluntary contribution.
"All opposed said he, when he had in
measure regained his comPosure.
There was a chorus of noes that
went rumbling. through the corridors of
the new City Hall.
Patroiman Jack Rainsberry, who for the
last ten years has been living in hopes of
becoming a sergeant, came to the rescue.
81 demand division" said he.
''The proposition has been lost" said
but I insist on DIVISION replied
Rainsberry.
"a division has been called for by Off
Ger Rainsber said Birdsall, ''and I'M
der parliamentary rules it must be
granted. All opposed to contributing will
please raise their hands,"
i only three of the men had the auda-
city to raise their hands in objection.
They will in future have to walk very
straight line or their stars will be lost to
them.
The men were then sent out on their
beats and the voluntary contribution"
fund will be started next Thursday.
"If l was a sergeant" grumbled one of
the men as he left the assembly room, II
would pay for my own sword. Luckily
for him, he was not discovered. If he
was known he would now be patrolling
one of the fog enveloped districts cut
near the ocean beach.
Sergeant Nash had his turn as promo
ter of the voluntary contribution" fund
at the North End station. The PROPOSE
ton went through there like slate tick
ct at Democratic primary. Only one
officer objected, and 1t is probable that
himself walking a beat in the Potrero.
The others were afraid to raise their
voices in protest against the assessment.
"At one time said one of the oldest of
GERS on the force last night, "a patrolman
received his entire salary at the end of
the month. Those days are gone, how
ever he added, with a sigh. IF 1t isn't
a case of buying new helmet, it is a case
Of getting new revolver. If the helmet
and revolvers are all right, the great
grand aunt of some sergeant dies, and
there is an assessment for a floral piece.
1t is now matter of an assessment every
month Why, we have just paid an as
sessment to buy drums for drum corps
to hammer out martial music for Chief
Lees when he is out on review. suppose
that we will next be called upon to volun-
tarily contribute toward fund for pur-
chasing groceries and supplies for our SUI
perior officers"