The Saint Paul globe., 1899-12-10
FAVOR A COMMISSION
POLICE OFFICIALS MAY ASK THE
CHARTER COMMISSION FOR
a POLICE BOARD
TO LIFT CAULFIELD's SCALP

Prospect That Frederick o. Ham
mer Will Succeed Him with the
beg1nntnE of the New Year, If
Mayor Kiefer Can Get the Thing
Arranged to Suit Him-Mr. HOyt
Resigns From Water Board.
members Of the police department are
quite taken with the suggestion that tba
charter commission make provision for
the appointment Of a board of police
commissioners and considerable agita-
ton favorable to the plan is being in
oulged In. Members Of the department
clalm that to put the police department
under a commission would add greatly
to the efficiency Of the force by taking
the department at least partly out of the
political turmoil that it is claimed has
at this time particularly so completely
demoralized the police protection Of the
city. Officers freely admit that under
the one-man power, now vested in the
mayor, they fear to perform their duties
because there is no certainty when they
will be summoned before the chief
executive and relieved of their positions
in an arbitrary manner, without hear
ing or defense. Such conditions would
not be possible If commission controlled
the department, it Is claimed Under
commission, only competent men could
obtain positions on the force, and those
who proved themselves faithful officers,
1t is argued, could be, in a measure, Sc
cure in their positions.
In support of the movement for the
appointment of a commission it is pointed
out that the fire department works har-
moniously and successfully under the d.
rection of a business mems board. It
is asserted that in every large city
where the police departments have gain
ed regulations for competency a COM
mission is in charge of the department.
Members of the local department are
considering the advisability Of petition
ing the charter commission to provide
for a police commission.
It was not given out until yesterday
that Vice President Hoyt, Of the water
board, had rendered his resignation to
Mayor Kiefer some three weeks ago
and that the mayor had accepted the
same. Since resigning; Mr.. Hoyt has
been acting as agent for the water board
in the purchase of property around Pei
tier and Centerville lakes and undOubt-
edly has been making much better
wages than the $S per month he re-
Mr.. Hoyt's term as q member Of the
board would have expired Dec. 81, and
as it was understood he would not be
reappointed by Mayor Kiefer and the
commissioners We're in need of a valua-
BILE man to look after its land purchases,
Mr. Hoyt resigned and took the position
Mayor Kiefer has not announced the
name of the new member, and probably
will not before Jan. !. He stated yes
terday that he had several names under
considerations but had reached no de-
eision. In answer to the question
as to whether Andrew Schoch had de-
cIined the position, the mayor replied
that "Mr. Schoch had never been offered
the position and consequently could not
decline 1t.
In case the mayor can arrange the mat
ter with the new member, and two OF
the other four, the position of secretary
will be eiven to F. o. Hammer, at pres
ent private secretary to the mayor
Building Inspector Haas is preparing
the annual report of his department. The
figures will show an increase of 200 per-
nits over last year and an increase In
the cost of the buildings erected OF over
$500. 900. as compared with 1898.
The Smith avenue bridge, which has
been closed during the past ten days for
replanking the roadway, will be opened
for travel the latter part of this week
Whether the bridge will be paved with
brick next year depends upon the lib
erality of the conference committee and
the council.