The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-25
Five Months in Euro
pean Sanitariums.
MAINTAINS GREAT SILENCE
HAS NOTHING. TO SAY ON Po-
LICE MATTERS.
BoGyguard Surrounds Him - The
Commissioner Confesses to Ig-
norance on Late Police
Actions.

Police Commissioner NJ. A Gunst re-
turned to this city last night after a five
months pilgrimage of health in Euro
pean watering laces. His trip has been
successful in this respect, for he has re.
turned with renewed health and a color
in his face which he did not have when
he left
The gates were closed last night on
Commissioner Gunst's power of speech.
His lips were sealed and he refused to
talk on those affairs which are of espe-
clal local interest. Jake Shaen, his
henchman, met him at Reno, and with
the assistance of Milton H. and Albert
Esberg, Gunst's partners, he was sue
cessful in securing a graveyard silence.
At Sacramento Mr.. Gunst was met by
his family. A large contingent met him
at Oakland, and a still larger force at
the foot of Market street. Jesse Marks,
Albert Esberg and a few politicians
crossed the bay to shake hands with the
Commissioner, and Henry Ach stood in
the rain waiting for the boat to land.
Mr.. Gunst has visited health resorts
in England, France and Austria. The
greater portion of his time was passed In
Bad Nauhein, one of Austria S greatest
medicinal sanitariums.
4 have regained my health" said Com
missioner Gunst on the incoming ferry
boat last night, and that was the OBJ
Ject OF my trip. Yes, l feel better in
health and spirits, and Will now be in a
better condition TO go to work. When l
left here my physicians advised me to
leave the cares of my business and poll
tics behind me, and l have been most
faithful to their counSels 1t was abSo-
lutely necessary for me to drive all
thoughts of business and the Police De-
partment out of my head. That L did,
and my regained health may or may not
have been the result of cessation of
mental WORRIES"
f-o,,,r.;--;,,,,,.
lowed him TO speak most loQuaciously
concerning his health, but whenever
questions were asked which had a glim-
mer of local interest attached TO them
he was at once surrounded with a circle
Of anxious faces whose expressions read
Beware" They We're most solicitous
not to allow their chieftain to be in
weighed into any controversy.
When asked If he had determined upon
any new improvements for the. Police De-
partment Mr.. Gunst said: No, this trip
has been for the resuscitation of my
health solely. | did not make any in
xestlgatilo;ns OF the ponce systems OF the
object Of my preceding journey. So lit
tie thought have l bestowed upon the
Police Department since my departure
that have no plans TO propose as yet.
When am settled then l viii give my
time and attention to police affairs
In regard to the Carpenter case, In
which you say the police arrested a man
and charged him with the crime and sub
sequently were forced TO release him, l
can say nothing. l did not even read of
the case, for l was advised not to bother
my mind with any business affairs, no
matter what their nature.
THE Botkin case first came to my at
tention in New York, but | really have
nothing to say about it. as l am not con-
versant with the Details Mr.. Gunst
listened passively to the errors of the po-
lice in their attempts to fasten the crime
upon the accused in several of our re-
cent murders, but he would not venture
an opinion either of defense or censure
on their methods. He was happy to
learn that the great pride of the depart
ment Chief Lees, was enjoying good
health, which bit of information was no
doubt impaired to him way up the road
by Jake Shaen. The injury of boy by
a policeman Friday night was next
brought to the attention Of the Police
Commissioner who took refuge at once
in declaring that he had not read the
story in the papers, but only glanced at
the headlines.
Commissioner Gunst will rest a few
days and then devote himself to bust
ness and the affairs of the Police De
partment. 1t is the current belief that
there will be shake-up as soon as the
cigar man peels his coat and starts the
mill a-going. Some upheavals are ex-
pected by those who are on the inside,
but as yet Mr.. Gunst iss mute, like unto
the silence of the impenetrable sphinx.