The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-01

Ambition Finally ReaIized-Li-
cense Inspector McIntire, the Or
acle of the Mayor, Says There
Will Be More Changes.
Capt. Parker L.. Getchell, of the Ducas
street police station, was named yester-
Goss, resigned.
The new chief will take charge of the
department this morning, an order being
Issued yesterday afternoon by Mayor
INiefer to this effect and directing that
the new chief be respected and obeyed
accordingly. The naming of Capt Getch-
ell was not surprise to many, for
Getchelfs ambitions for months have
been along these lines In fact, the
G O b Q nearly year ago stated that
Getchell would like to succeed Goss as
head of the department Getchell then
| denied it. When 1t came he didn't say
nay, even though 1t is only for ninety
days.
In order to avoid tie crowd Of politi-
clans at his Office In the city hall, Mayor
Kiefer telephoned for Capt. Getchell to
call at his residence yesterday morning
and after conference lasting nearly
two hours at the mayors residence on
Tenth street. Capt. Getchell hurried to
the central station with letter from the
| mayor to Chief Goss announcing that he
was to be the new chief and requesting
that he be given such information and IN
up his duties today Late Yesterday
afternoon Capt. Getchell visited the
mayors office and had long talk with
the chief executive. The new chief was
very reticent and said he had not de-
cided as to anything in the way Of
changes as yet. Joe Mounts, who has
been secretary to Chief Goss, he said,
would be requested to remain, and this
was all he had decided upon. Mayor
kiefer, in speaking of the appointment
said:
y had long talk with Capt Getchell
this morning and he seems to be the
right man for the place He is, in my
opinion, honest and strict disciplin-
arian and these points are all that is
needed The manner In which he has
conducted the Ducas street station shows
that he can maintain disciple 1 think
he is a most excellent man for the place"
Parker L. Getchell was appointed to the
police force as patrolman by Mayor
Rice, June 20, 1881, and has served con-
tinuously On the force since that date.
He served as a patrolman for eleven
years, when he was promoted as sergeant
and afterward to lieutenant. During the
last term of Mayor Smith he was reduced
to sergeant, but when Mayor Doran was
elected Getchell was promoted to captain
and given charge Of Ducas street station,
succeeding Capt. Rouleau, who was trans
ferred to the central station. Getchell
was born in Wyoming county, N. Y, Dec.
Is, 1853, and is forty-seven years of age.
Mayor Kiefer would not say last even
ing whether there would be communica-
lions sent to the assembly recommending
changes in the police department or not.
1t Is given out with the authority Of sew
eral city officials however, that there is
to be change in the office of chief of
detectives, and several lieutenants and
sergeants are to be removed. No resig-
nations were filed with the mayor yes
terday, and If it is his intention to make
new appointments, other than Chief Get
chell, removals must first be made before
any appointments can be approved by the
assembly. In case officers are removed
by the mayor the charter provides the
action of the mayor shall be concurred in
by majority of both branches. In the
case of appointments, however, only the
assembly approves.
Lieut. Henry Pothen was one of the cal
lers on the mayor yesterday afternoon.
After talk with the mayor, Lieut..
Pothen said he had heard that he was
to be removed, and HAD called to see the
mayor about the matter. "All l want"
said Pothen, rs a fair show and I told the
mayor so. He seemed pleased to see me,
but gave me no hint of what he intended
to do
License Inspector McIntire stated yes
terday that there was certain to be
changes in the police department other
than the appointment Of Chief Getchell,
and he expected the assembly would be
notified at its meeting tonight. McIntire
is authority for the statement that when
Kiefer was nominated, Capt. Getchell,
when he heard the news, remarked:
well, now that you have nominated
Dutchman, see If you can elect him.
McIntire, however, admits that the re-
mark was made on the spur of the mo-
ment, and that, although the mayor was
informed of the fact, it did not cut any
Ice in the promotion. One of the city
hall politicians has figured it out that the
frs. choice of the mayor for a successor
to Goss was Capt. Phillip Pottgieser, of
the Margaret street station. Friends,
however, assured the mayor that the ap-
pOintment of Pottgieser would cause the
cry to be made that only Germans were
eligible to promotion, and that 1t would
injure the mayors chance for a renomina-
ton Capt Roueau the mayor would not
agree to as chief, and the only available
man left was Capt. Getchell. That Capt.
Getchell was chosen as last resort is
partly proven when 1t is known that
prominent Republicans offered the posi-
ton to a gentleman, who refused the APP
pointment, several days ago.
Mayor Kiefer stated last evening that
there would be number of changes in
the department. but. that they would be
In the nature Of transfers from one sta
ton to the other and consequently they
could be made without the consent of the
council 1t is understood that Capt.
Rouleau now in charge of the central sta
ton at night, will be transferred to the
Rondo street station, and remain in
charge at that station until Capt Lowell
returns from the coast. A general shake
up of the lieutenans and sergeants is also
promised. The mayor, however, says
nothing will be done until Chief Getchell
and others are consulted.
Chief Goss promises to answer the state
ments Of Mayor Kiefer today, particular
ly as to the remark that he would give
g. house and lot If Chief Goss would show
What Does This Lack?