The San Francisco call., 1901-11-21
COMMISSIONERS
FAIL To AGREE
Judge Wallace Of Police
Board Changes His
Mind.
Indications That Chief Will
Be Appointed Within
Ten Days.

Judge William T. Wallace blocked the
appointment of a Chief at the session of
the Board of Police Commissioners Tues
day night last The Commissioners by
informal exchange of views had arrived
at the general conclusion that an execu-
tive officer should be chosen without de-
lay, as there was feeling of unrest in
the department. A day or two prior to
Tuesday 1t was well understood that
three of the Commissioners were ready
to act on the question of filling the va
.cancy caused by the death of Colonel
Sullivan. Judge Wallace was supposed
to favor the appointment OF captain
Whitman, and it was contended that
Commissioners Newhal and HoweH
would extend their approval of this Sc
lection. 1t was quite well known that
Commissioner Mahony would oppose the
promotion of Whitman. but would not IN
terpose other resistance to the nlling OF
the vacancy.
Tuesday night at the regular session
of the board the president OF the Com-
mission suggested that the question OF
appointing a Chief be taken up Juoge
w allace did not enter formal protest,
but said in a commonplace way, S AT.
us defer that matter and proceed WIN
the regular business on the calenoar.
When Wallace thus signified that he was
not ready to vote the inference was read
lily drawn that he had not made up his
mind st to the merits M SsS or made an II up and
changed It,. Whatever may be the IN
side impression, the outside conjecture
is that Judge Wallace yielded to per.
SuaSive pressure and in the parlance Oh
the push fell down.
Wallace May Be Reappointed.
One story goes that Wallace received
assurance of reappointment to the board
under Mayor Schmitz's administration.
Another story is to the effect that Mayor
ali tn
ment of Whitman.
The common impression that Mahony
term as Commissioner expires before that
of Judge Wallace is not correct. A mis-
print in guide or directory created this
erroneous notion. Judge Wallace's term
will expire on January next; eS;,. He IN may y
recognized as an able. masterful man,
and known to be. an old resident: Law
yers have a profound regard for his
knowledge of the law-So profound that
they will accept his opinions against their
own judgment. On the Supreme bench
he prepared opinions for his associates to
sign and they frequently signed them,
because Wallace with a broad assertive
sweep indicated that there was nothing
else to do but sign. .
Perhaps there was nothing lordly or
domineering in his decree to the Police
Commission that the question of appoint
ing Chief should be deferred. It is
by no means certain that his fellow-Com-
missioners would stand any bluffing, be-
cause of late years the bluffs of the
Judge have been successfully called in
the Board of Regents and in other high
and influential circles. No one in or out
of the Police Commission disputes Judge
Wallaces right to be slow in making up
his mind or his right to change it after
having made it up. Wise men do change
their opinions and Wallace may be wise in
his day and generation.
The best information obtainable is that
an appointment of a Chief will be made
by the board within ten days. 1t is said
that Judge Wallace will not imperi1 his
Clac
voting for any one other than Whitman.
The men who are leading the fight
against Wittman's promotion appear to
have abandoned the proposition to defer
action until the Inauguration of the new
Mayor They now simply ask the ap-
pointment of any one but Whitman. Sey-
mour, Spillane, Oman and Dunleyy are
said to be acceptable.
Many Rumors in Circulation.
Common rumor that Newhall and How
ell regard Whitman as the right man and
stand ready to appoint him may be cor
rect, but neither Commissioner will au-
as fact. They do recognize, however, that
there is a vacancy in the executive Office
at the department which should be filled.
The board, in it's official capacity, has not
discussed the vacancy, but informally
opinions have been interchanged. After
reflection and further consideration, New
hall and Howell may change their minds
and give their support to some man ac-
ceptable to Mahony or Wallace. The pub
lie is not clamoring for the appointment
of any particular man, but is simply sur
prised at the indecision or Indifference
| of the Board of Police Commissioners.
| Captain Whitman has not asked the Com
| mission for the appointment or even sig
nified that he wanted the position. His
| record is before the commission and the
| people. He stands ready to obey orders
| and serve In whatever capacity his su-
perior officers direct. The newspapers
! that criticise him for accepting gift
| from the business men of the city had
no comment to offer when certain appre-
| ciative citizens presented Outlaw Chris
| Evans with Winchester rifle. Certainly
! Judge Wallace has a right to change ais
mind concerning Captain Whitman and
change its mind about Judge Wallace,
| and whoever supposes that this town is
! going to be run by a yellow newspaper
|