The San Francisco call., 1899-09-23
LEES REFUSES
TO CLOSE THE
NYMPH|A HOTEL
FourClergymen Make
Vain Appeal.

A stormy interview over the closing or
the infamous sink of vice known as the
Hotel Nymphia was held in Chief Lees
office yesterday between Lees and four
prominent North Beach clergymen, who
went there to request the Chief to order
his men to close the den. At the climax
of the interview two of the clergymen,
Rev. Father T. Caraher, rector of st.
Francis Church, and Rev. DR.. Urmy of
the First Methodist Episcopal Church,
arose and left the Chiefs sanctum in dis
gust.
Chief Lees not only refused to close the
Infamous resort but he made his declara-
ton to the visiting clergymen in tones
that could be heard outside in the corri-
dors of the City Hall.
Shortly before noon Rev Father 1.
Caraher, Rev. DR.. Urmy, Rev. Father
Rodham of St. Peters and st. Paurs Ital-
ian Church and Rev. DIR. Slocombe or the
Green-street Congregational Church
called upon Chief Lees to request him TO
close the resort Immediately, as con-
viction against the directors of the lnsu-
tuition had already been secured IN Judge
Graham's court.
Chief Lees took refuge behlnd the eA-
cuse that 1t would be impossible to close
the filthy den until Judge Graham passed
sentence upon the directors of the resort
and he told the clergymen hat-1ooteoly
that he did not intend to enforce the law
until that had been done
Father Caraher, however, came dIiileo
with legal advice, and he informed ChleI
lees that he not only had power put 1t
uros his duty to close the Nymphia i'm
mediately. cute ,d
Tbe argument between the Chief ana
tho clergymen became intensely warm
Iaes commenced to roar out MS ultl-
,naturn in tones loud enough TO De hearu
at the ferry, and the clergymen le1t MIN
without ceremony. s % .ha
When the matter was reported 10 Inc ING
res;dents O. North Beach they at once
decided to take steps to have the law eh5
forced, and for that reason 1t was oeclueu s
1o cali a monster mass meeting 10 pc
held Monday night at R1aee Hh resdents Of
the beach through their able attorney, j..
I Barrett. will take legal steps II neceS-
sary to force Chief Lees to close the
ATTORNEY Barrett has been busily en-
gagged in the Police Courts Tor the past
month waging battle against the re PMiasu Ma5.tS
spot and the residents and clergy OF Nortn
Beach do not intend to allow the victory
to slip from their grasp: Delays, they
say. are dangerous, for II Chief Lees waits
until sentence is passed upon the Defend
ants next Wednesday they can succeed
in getting out q restraining order pending
the appeal of the case. 1t was TO ooViate
this possible Juggling with justice that the
=
to close the institution:
I'VE called upon Chief Lees yesterday
morning and were ushered into a slde
room, where we remained quite a long
time said Father Caraher when seen
yesterday. His clerk told us he would
notify us of the Chiefs arrival. but he
neglected to do so. We sat there til we we
grew impatient and then we arose and
entered the Chiefs sanctum.
'.Chief Lees fatty informed us that he
would not act until Judge Graham passed
sentence upon the directors of the Nym-
phia l was advised by two prominent
and competent attorneys-one of them a
Judge now sitting on the bench-that
Chief Lees had the power to close this
horrible den the moment its directors
We're found guilty in the Police Court
"Chief Lees knows this to be fact
still he refuses to enforce the law
realize that there are powerful influences
against us and that the proprietors OF the
Nymphia have a monster corruption tuna
behind them in this crusade, but that
should not stop Chief Lees from enforcing
the law.
mo wonder we can't get justice with
Joseph Dunno, Chief Lees private attor-
ney, fighting the battle for the other slde
''At a monster mass-meeting to be helo
Monday night we will adopt drastic meas
ures to secure the enforcement OF the