The San Francisco call., 1904-11-11

OAKLAND. Nov. 10-Accused Of pill
FERNS from stores ON their beats while
on duty and confronted with the eVi-
denoe gathered by their superiors in
proof OF the astonishing charges. Po-
lice Sergeant Charles r. Clark and
Pstr0lmen Lee T.. Andrews. Charles W.
Hamerton and John F. stahl resigned
last night from The Police Department
rather than face an investigation be-
fore the Commissioners. The fact Of
the designations was published in This
mornings Cau.
The men involved have stoutly de-
nied their part in thievery and have
asserted that escapades with women
while on duty were the causes Of their
retirement bat The Police Commission
en- to-day made an Official statement
covering IN brief the true state OF az
fairs
To the Commissioners the revelations
ole. 70 quote the exact language Of
John +. MoElroy. president of the
hoard. astounding" The board can
md no excuse for the Onenses laid AZ
The door of -FOUR men whose reputa-
tiOns In the Police Department and as
citizens had been without hlemish.
That these men should have taken aG-
vantage % their positions and looted
the places Of business they We're paid
and sworn 10 protect seemed almost
incredible. But the evidence which was
placed before the men themselves was
Of such q convincing nature that one
after the other nlec his resignation. In
view Of the circumstances the COM
miSSiOners have decided 10 make a
thorough Investigation o. the cases to-
morrow afternoon before they decide
what course to take with the resigna-
lions.
CONFRONTED WITH THE PROOF.
elimination of several weeks secret
watching OF the suspected men came
Tuesday afternoon and evening. Chief
~ Police hoogkins had completed his
lsbOrs Ia that regard ana had sum-
moneo Clark. Halaerton. Stahl and
AnCrCWs before him Zach man Was
interviewed separately and was shown
precisely what had been disclosed 70
his suporiors- Each accused officer.
amer ample consideration. gave in his
sigratiOn. Their action in rhnS with
oraWing simultaneously leaked out
With x followed rUnors of r,ais6oinS.
but these were doubted largely be-
cause az the standing OF the men.
Al TIE crisis ~ the case Stahl ra-
ceiNeo word o. the 6esth of his father
BY accioent az Portland. Or Yester-
DAY he departed gfving as his reason
Tor leaving the city the necessity of
az Portland his friends were tols
that he did not intend 10 return 10 Oak
land. and would send shortly Tor his
family. Andrews and Clark have de-
ciced 70 - 70 Tonopah or some other
mining district IN Nevada Hawerton
has not said NhGt he intends 10 do
IL WAS in the course of an inquiry
tnSo suspicious conduct 81 one ~
the men thar disclosures which have
resulted In the exposure were made 10
the head - the department
For So-ne weeks watch had bean kent
closely upon the four. According ~
the Information I'm The hands Of the
Commissioners. the raen were no, i'm
plicatec together. bur had been en-
EsSed each on his own account IN =
series q perry piferinEs Erom shopS.
X Is asserted thar the srealirrS have
not been very heavy In amount. They
hsVe been u2iniy confined 70 articles
Ike knives. purses. household sup-,iles.
1lleSrSs hams. grocertes. Wearlns an
pArel snd the ike. Rut on the score
~ details the Police Commissioner. ~
tuse - talk az present
Andrews, Eamerton and Stahl had