The San Francisco call., 1905-03-31
To T axe His Seat
at To-Night's
Session.
OMAN TO BE CHEF
Way Is Now Clear
to Give Place
to Him.
POLITICAL ASPECTS
OMAN TO BE CHIEF
POLITICAL ASPECTS


Alexander L. o'Grady. lawyer, S3
years of age and loyal politician in
the Ruef camp, was appointed Police
Commissioner by Mayor Schmitz yes
terday. He will take the place made
vacant by the ousting of H. w. Hut
ton, and is expected to steady the
board with legal advice and give valu-
able service for the administration.
The removal of George w. Whitman
from the head of the department hag-
ing been accomplished, Schmitz was
ready to name the new member, 1t
is weeks ago that the Mayor exerted
his prerogative and brought Hutton's s
career of sleuthing in Chinatown to a
close. But the opportunity was at
hand to get Whitman out of the way,
much hated for political reasons. Com
missioners Drinkhouse and Reagan
We're willing to dc the trick, and
Schmitz therefore left them in major
ity on the board.
There were complications confront
ing the Mayor and he was not assured
that O'Grady and the influences behind
him favored the dismissal of the Chief.
So he held back the appointment of
the fourth member to- give DrinkhouSe
and Reagan free rein until their job
was done. Whitman, strong for law
and order, too unyielding for political
schemingsy was down and out, and in
anticipation of the meeting of the
Commission tonight the Mayor yes
terday named O'Grady.
OMAN IN LEAD FOR CHIEF.
Now comes the selection of a new
Chief for the Police Department.. The
commission may make their decision
-, ind ~,
Jerry Dinan detective sergeant and
personal friend of the Mayer, as the
man. 1t is not certain that the ap-
pointment will be made tonight, for
there may be more administration ma
neuverings to be done, but action is
to be expected as soon as the new Com
missioner is sworn in.
Mayer Schmitz declared yesterday
that the matter of choosing a new
Chief would be allowed to rest a while
probably, but the Mayor is glib in con-
cealment of his deep plannings, and
his denial is not to be taken into ac-
count. He also gave out the impress
sion that Dinan had not been fully de-
cided upon, but it can be stated au-
thoritatively that the detective had
been fully agreed upon in the council
that is already laying plans for the
coming campaign.
stands between Dinan and the proud
station in which Jerry must wear a
long coat that flaps at the knees and
a front bedecked with big gilt buttons.
Only the uncertainties that make po-
htical life miserable now face the hail
detective. and then, if there are no bad
turnings, he will have over 600 police
men at beck and nod, and attain the
heights of power for political enter
prise.
Public Works Commissioner Frank
A. Maestretti at one time seriously en-
dangered Dinan's chances for the place
No man is more valuable to the adj
ministration in political campaigning
than is Maestretti, and when he wants
anything from the administration he
Mayor Schmitz to have the commission
make him Chief Of Police the Mayor
gave a listening ear and the bright
skies for Dinan clouded.
MAESTRETTI HAD AMBITION.
But The Grand Jury by its indict-
ment of the Public Works Commits
sioner for subornation of perjury cut
short his further scaling the pinnacles
of fame and political endeavor. Not
that Mayor Schmitz or the Police Com
missioners, who must obey his orders
had deserted Maestretti or believed for
a moment that their compatriot was
guilty of despicable crime, but it
would be unwise for obvious reasons to
place a man at the head of the city's
Police Department who was at that
time under accusation of felony.
So the Grand Jury aided the cause
of Dinan. 1t may be said that the
Grand Jury gave first aid to Dinan,