The San Francisco call., 1905-02-16

able to cope successfully with the
problem of downing the strong trait
of the willy Chinese to play at chance
Sergeant Cook has things very we'll
under control at the present time. But
the fact remains that he must make
raids every day almost. and that
games do start up despite his Wig
ilance. Cook himself, when before the
board some time ago. shook his head
when asked if he thought it possible
To stamp out gambling among the
Chinese and said he doubted very
much if it could be done perpanently.
WHITMAN SURPRISED.
Il am under charges and suspend
ed from the department., and it would
not be proper for me to make
statement at. this time" said Chief
Whitman in his office Immediately af-
ter the adjournment of the Commits
sioners. The action Of the board
was altogether a surprise to me.
was not looking for it. / will pre-
sent my defense at the proper time.
This is the first time that a Chief of
Police has been charged and Sus-
pended in the history of San Francis
cos department..
I'VE have done our best to suppress
gambling in Chinatown, and it is not
an easy thing to do / don't see how
/ can be held accountable for the
acts of every man under my COM
mand. Because a sergeant does not
do his duty or any policeman proves
faithleSs, it is rather hard to hold
me responsible for his shortcomings,
/ think All / wish to say to the pub
lie at this time is that / will defend
myself. and, / feel assured. success
fully. when the charges come up for
hearing
Il don't know of any plot to oust
me from the Office of Chief of Police
to make way for another, and don't
believe there is any.
1t was after the case of Sergeant
Ellis was closed that the Commission
ers retired to deliberate on the un-
pected step against the Chief. They
came back in a very nervous state.
and Attorney Mogan for the accused
sergeant had difficulty to get calm
consideration of his formal motion
for dismissal of proceedings against
his client.
Reagan made the motions. Ellis
was found guilty Of the two charges
against him unanimously. BY an
other motion passing of sentence was
postponed a week.
REAGAN NERVOUS AND PALE.
Then Commissioner Reagan became
fidgaty and pale. He didn't appear to
like the job before him.
Il move you now" he proceeded in
halting voice, that In view of the de-
velopments during these proceedings
as to the failure of the department to
suppress gambling in Chinatown that
the secretary be instructed to prepare
charges against the Chief of Police for
negligence of duty and Incompetence"
Commissioner Drinkhouse promptly
seconded the motion and with dis
patch it was carried by unanimous
vote.
Move we adjourn" said Reagan.
The motion was carried hurrledly and
then the left his chair on half a run for
the door Don't want to talk to you."
he waved to the newspaper men.
Poheim and Drinkhouse remained In
their seats for a while, but they had
no word for Whitman, who sat silent
and somewhat creStfallen. He then
gathered up his papers quietly. and.
without speaking a word TO any one,
proceeded to his Office There he was
found to be not so broken in spirit
as he had looked a few minutes be-
fore. He was perfectly calm. almost
unnerturbed il appeared. and seemed
fortified by the experiences IN the
many storms that have ragged about
him during his career in the depart
ment-
NO PLOT ON FOOT.
There is absolutely no truth In the
statements that it has been the purpose
of the Commissioners for some time to
get Whitman out Of the Office Of Chief
Of the department" declared Drink
house after the adjournment.
Reagan thinks that the Grand Jury in
it's criticisms of the Police Department
in connection with Chinatown corrup-
. ton reflected gravely upon himself and
, Commissioner Drinkhouse. Both the
commissioners are said to believe that
the Grand Jury spared Whitman in
their criticisms unjustifably-
This explanation develops a phase Of
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