Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-09
RETIRING CHIEF
WARMLY PRAISED
POLICE COMMISSION ACCEPTS
RESIGNATION
OFFICIALS EXPRESS REGRET
Many Tributes Are Paid w. A. Ham,
mel, Who viii Quit Force Sept.
I, by counoiImen and Conn
nissioners
OFFICIALS EXPRESS REGRET

Chief Of Police W. A. Hammel ten
dered his resignation to the board Of
police commissioners yesterday morn
ing, with the request that the same
take effect September 1. Herald read
ers are familiar with some of the
causes leading up to this action on the
part of the chief. as the forecasts made
by the Herald proved correct.
Il have a communication would
like to present to the board" said Chief
Hammel Immediately after the board
convened in public session and there
upon read a most courteous note which,
in a very few words. severed his con-
nection with the city government and
the department which he has so ably
conducted.
the "solid three" McAleer, James and
Gates, were on hand. Commissioner
Gates arose and said:
Gates Regrets Action
'T move the resignation of Chief
Hanmel, as expressed in the language
OF the note he has read to us, be ac-
cepted to take effect on September 1 as
requested. 1t is with deep regret that
1 make this motion, for l have used my
best efforts to get the chief to give up
his ideay of resigning.
II have known Chief Hammel as a
private citizen, as sheriff and as chief
of police, and know that no man who
has ever held a position in this county
holds higher place in my estimation,
and feel sure that my sentiments are
reflected by all who know the chief. He
intends to go after the nomination for
sheriff again, and realizes that he must
not be encumbered with the work of
the police department. No better man
has ever held the position of chief of
police in Los Angeles, and during Chief
Hammers administration we have not
had a single complaint filed with the
commission
Commissioner James seconded Com
city is losing a most efficient officer,
but we of necessity must accept his
resignation, although we regret the ne
cessity"
Mayors Tribute
Mayor McAleer then said: II have
done my best to get Chief Hammel to
give up the idea of running for sheriff.
I thought it would be possible to get
the next legislature to increase the
salary of the chief of police, so that we
could keep such a fearless, able and
efficient officer, but the chief insists
that his resignation be accepted"
When the resigna ton had been form
ally accepted and after it had been
ruled that resolutions be drawn and
presented to the chief, he arose and
thanked the commission for its cour-
tesy, saying: 'I am almost over
whelmed and hardly know what to say.
I assure you that I appreciate from the
bottom of my heart what has been
said. l have tried to do my duty and
am glad that my work has been salts
factory to you. When / accepted the
Office, said I would perform the duties
Of the office to the best of my ability,
and now am willing to leave judgment
with the citizens of the city"
Restraint Manifest
The fact is considered significant that
while Mayor McAleer and Commits
sioners Gates and James talked a lot
about HammePs running for sheriff,
the chief never mentioned it once.
Everything was smooth on the surface
but it was plain all was not pleasant on
the inside. There was restraint manifest
in the actions of the "solid three"
Councilmen are outspoken in their
regret at the loss of Chief Hammels
services to the city. Councilman Eo
Kern said: 'This is indeed great
loss. The city never had a more com
petent chief of police, and the com
mission will be up against it to fill his
place."
"This Is the worst move yet made by
the commission" said another mem.
ber. 1.-THE people have implicit con,
fdence in Chief Hammel. They know
that so long as he remains in Office h'
intends to be chief and not a figure
head. He will not stand for outside
meddling in the department and the
changing of the men around at the viii
of the mayor. Hammel was bound Il
be chief or quit, and he has quit. Thii
is enough to show me that all was no
pleasant. Chief Hamme rebelleC
against being made a figurehead. anC
resigned rather than lose his self re
spect and the high opinion of the citi
zens OF Los Angeles"
Total Ecllnse Of Moon