The San Francisco call., 1898-06-14
OTIS STILL COMMANDS.
How a BuffoOn Chief of Police Did Not Capture Camp
 Merritt.

Green fire, fringed with red, white and blue, shot from the eagle eye of Chief Lees yesterday morning after reading how one of his ninions had been belted over the head with a gun Sunday, be- cause he undertook to disarm sentry of the First Colorado Infantry. Things had reached a pretty stage when com mon soldier could bowl out an obstreper- ous policeman without experiencing the comforts Of the City Prison. He would soon see if Uncle Sans guardians were superior to the police force
 Long the Chief pondered over the mat ter. Those soldiers must be taught to bow to the mighty Chief. that was cer- tain. But how should he proceed to sub jugate the army? First he would see what apology General Otis had to offer for the clubbing of his man Fell.
 Then delicate problem in military eti- quette bobbed up before the Chief Should he request the General to appear before him, or should he call on the Gen sected. The Chief could flash up more gold braid than the General. consequently
 Then came a hitch. Lees had not yet been able to organize his fife and drum corps, while Otis had fifers and drummers the score at his beck and full brass bands
 That settled 1t The General had the would go to him, but he would show him that no other toad could swim in the same puddle WlIn Lees.
 There must be no quarter shown the warrior When his camp was invaded he must surrender at once and uncondition- ally. But that would be easyi Lees would in few glanceS from his hypnotic eye and Otis would capitulate.
 Summoning his first assistant buffer Captain whitman, the hero of many a sweat-box battle, the Chief unfolded his plan. Together they would go to the general, and if their combined ferocity gifI fafph him then he different from anybody they had practiced their black art upon.
 two boarded a McAllister-street car and half an hour later were ushered into the presence of their victim. Lees was cold and dignified-that is. dignifled for Lees; Whitman was also cold-at least his feet were-and uncomfortable. General Otis was affahle and not in the least embar- rassed.
 Lees tried the magic of his eye, but somehow the current was too weak or the amp was out of order, or something, for as unconcernedly as though he were used to receiving visits from great men every day.
 battery, but the Cap'n instead of comply ng moved out into the sunshine to thaw put his eXtremities and came near suffer ng the double aff1iction Of sunstroke and cold feet at one and the same time, so he was out of 1t altogether.
 The ancient Chief began to get nervous ana DeBdI IO utOBt. 1O Do duIO uo HdQ not mentioned the object of his visit, but ne cut off the circuit and let his eye beam with it's usual kindly warmth while ne talked of the weather. the war, the fatigue great men endure when on parade and other topics of kindred interest, and inally, seeing that Wittmans condition was steadily growing worse, Lees brought he conversation around to the camp and wound up by offering to detail squad of police to protect the morals of the soldiers.
 General Otis was pleased with the sug- ,estion. While his men had absolute con- rol inside the guard lines they could not :heck traffic on the public streets, though Inc police might be able to keep objec- ionable characters away from camp. The Thief grew enthusiastic over the scheme. md resuscitating Whitman with some diff iculty, instructed him to have Sergeants Perrin, Tobin and Duncan with eighteen oatrolmen protect the morals of Camp Merritt.
 Then the twain took their leave. with General Otis still in command of his men, md returned to the City Hall to borrow m election booth from the Registrar to ,e used as a temporary police station at Inc Can1D.