The San Francisco call., 1904-12-16

ILLS lnuLVcr AZ Ills tDIlC, CuOuSn Il
may have some information for the
public soon. AS to whether / shall
demand an investigation of police
methods in the district occupied by
fallen women, cannot say, nor can
say whether or not i will present the
facts, so far as have gathered them,
to the Grand jury for its action. As
to my views of the case have nothing
to say at this time. Police Commits
sioner HI. w. Hutton.
'I know nothing officially of Police
Commissioner Hutton's attempt to
prove that police officers are bribed in
the tenderloin. 1 change the details
constantly to prevent corruption. but
1 cannot help it If bad men get into
the department. My record shows
that every man caught grating re-
ceives the most severe punishment-''-
Chief of Police Wittman's statement.
81 am not at liberty to say Just what
took place in Bacon place Tuesday
night. If the investigation said to be
projected takes place / will be able
to show that L have acted only as an
honorable man should. As far as the
charges against Higgins are concerned.
have nothing to say. 1 am not spy,
as is claimed."-Patrolman John Dean.
Patrolman Samuel Higgins will
probably be dismissed from the force
as a result of Police Commissioner
Hutton's visit to Bacon place on last
Tuesday night. The accused police
man is likely to escape criminal prose-
cution because the dissolute inmates
of the alley cannot be depended upon
to tell in court what they will say in
denee is1not sufficient 10 warrant
conviction.
1t is expected. however, that the
projected investigation before the Po-
lice Commission will bring to light the
fact that the city's uniformed SER
wants who guard the peace Of the dem
izens of the half-world are regularly
in receipt of bribes. No one seems to
have scintilla of evidence that any
of this red light corruption fund ever
passed from the patrolmen's pockets
to those of men higher in the depart
ment.
The Chief and his captains are TAX
ing every precaution to prevent brib-
cry, and 1t will so hard with any man
caught doing underhand work. Alex
ander, SNOWFALL, Hammill and Reade
have all had opportunities to discover
what it meant to be apprehended in
soliciting or accepting bribes. 1t seems,
however, not in any way contrary to
the ethics Of the rank and file to graft
in misdemeanor cases, particularly
where gambling, prostitution and vio-
lations of saloon ordinances are in
volved.
SOME HEAVY TAXES.
Bacon place is said to contribute $500
q week. Belden place escapes with a
tax of $500 a month. The saloons on
the Barbary Coast are alleged to pay
from $40 to S25 weekly that the pro
prietors may not be compelled to stop
music after / o'clock and that side.
| turbed. Ordinarily there is no effort
made to conceal the briberies, but when
| an investigation is on the tapis the in
terested parties remain quiet out of
self-defense. The whole department
appears to be incensed at the acts of
Hutton, Special Chief of Police for
1929 Dupont street" The police say
he is trying to make capital for him
| self out of his private detective work.
He declines to talk about his visit to
| Bacon place and he has retained what
! ever corruption funds he gathered so
| far as is known. None of the other
members of the Police Commission
have been taken into Huttons conf
dence. so the whole world waits on
! his nod.
Policeman John Dean of the Park
station is the principal witness against
Higgins. The two men went on duty
in Bacon place Tuesday afternoon at
! 3 o'clock. The fallen women were not
! compelled to pay tribute until nightfall.
Marked coin was placed in the hands
| of those who were to aid Hutton in
springing his trap. Dean is alleged to
| have been in complete knowledge of
the prospective visit of the Police Com
/ missioner. Knowing by prearrange-
ment what was about to occur he re-
ceived the toll and is said to have seen
! Higgins get his share in turn
| When Hutton appeared both men
were directed to show what money they
| had in their pockets. AS Dean was In
/ on the game his funds were brought to
light Immediately, but Higgins was in
another boat He resolutely declared
| that whatever money he possessed was
his own, and declined to surrender the
whole or any part of 1t to his superior
J officer
DENIES CHARGES.
Higgins says for publication that he
! is guiltless of wrong, that he never saw
Hutton Tuesday night, that Dean never
! saw him do anything unbecoming to a
: policeman of this good and great mu-
nicipality and that the whole story is a
lie. Higgins says also that he supposes
, the board can break him If the Com
! missioners want to, but that they can
never prove he took a dollar from the
! fallen women of Bacon place. He re-
fused to allow his photograph to be
: taken yesterday, and fed on a passing
| car when asked his name