The San Francisco call., 1905-03-26

had wide experience and had demon
strated their fitness. Commissioner
Reagan from that time on was a bitter
enemy of mine"
WHY MARTIN WAS SCALPED.
Another interesting phase of the ad-
ministration's policy in regard to the
Police Department has come out since
Wittman's dismissal. Captain John
Martin was not removed from the sta
tion of captain of detectives and dis
rated to the command of the Harbor
station on Wittman's own volition, but
as a result of the persistent demands
of Mayor Schmitz.
Captain Martin, it appears, could not
refrain from participating in politics
and his quiet activities were found out
to be directed against the administra-
ton. For over a year Mayor Schmitz
had insisted that the captain should be
punished and Whitman felt himself
driven to comply.
been close friends for many years and
Whitman signified his confidence in the
captain by appointing him head of the
detective force as soon as command Of
the department was given him. There
was much mystery therefore when
Captain Martin was put out of his
higher post some months ago.
The revelations that are now made
are that the demoraliZing whip Is be-
ing welded over the department, the
lash of which Whitman has been made
to feel more keenly than did Martin,
to whom he had himself been a party
in applying it.
Mayor Schmitz it is understood, did
not undertake to name Martins sue
cessor as captain Of detectives, prob
ably because he realized that the bluff
Chief Of Pnlipa would NOT submit
such interference. In any event the
appointment of Captain Burnett was
Wittman's own selection.
JERRY DINAN TO BE CHIEF.
1t seems certain that Jerry Dinan,
now a detective sergeant, will be the
new. Chief of Police. His close personal
relations with Mayor Schmitz will lift
him into the high station. When ad-
dressed banteringly as Cher Dinan
becomes indignant and declares its
all hop smoke" but it is believed on
every hand that he is the man in view
to ride the horse and wear the epaulet
with the single star.
1t is not expected that Dinan will dis
turb Captain Burnett. They have been
good friends for many years, and the
captain appears to be a satisfactory
man all around. 1t is likely, however,
that Dinan would make some changes
in the detective force, Of which he is
now a member. 1t would appear that
he would at least have to make pro-
vision for young Reagan.
The Commissioners son is not far out
of his teens and has already been be-
fore the board on a charge of unofflcer-
like conduct. He was found not guilty,
however. His fellow -patrolmen curry
his favor. OF course, the authority in
vested in him has turned his head, it is
said, and there has been complaint
against him because of his overbearing
manner
But Chief Wittman's refusal to ele-
vate him to the post of detective SER
geant was based on q rule that is law
in the department from immemorial
custom. The promotions to the upper
office" have been made for meritorious
work and an exhibition Of ability to
run criminals to earth.
Whitman has not decided whether he
will contest the action of he Commits
sioners in the courts. THE matter is
In the hands of Julius Kahn, my at
torney," explained the former Chief.
The Congressman said he would come
to conclusion on Monday. 1t Is the
impression that the former Chief will
institute no suit, because such a step
would probably not be advisable from
a practical standpoint.
WHITMAN ID NIL WEALTHY.
1T is not true that / leave the de-
partment a wealthy man. said Witt
man yesterday. "On the contrary
must find something to do at once
have many friends and / hope to get a
position within short time. At the
present time, however, have abso-
lutely nothing in view. Many messages
have come to me offering sympathy be-
cause of the outrage to which I was
subjected by the Police Commissioners
after twenty-five years of faithful serv-
ice in the department
But there's no Ill wind that does
not blow some good. My wife is might
lily pleased. She hopes that my career
as a police official is over Not for
twenty-five years have I been able to
spend my evenings at home, and the
prospect now assures the qualification
Of her wishes that I might have my
evenings to myself"
Congressman Kahn also voices a de-
NAL of the reports that Whitman owns
property worth 100000 or more, as has
been reported. Il know whereof T
speak" asserted the attorney, land
will say authoritatively that the only
property Whitman has is a small piece
located on Devisadero street, and alto
gether he is not worth more than $4,000
in worldly goods