The San Francisco call., 1905-08-12
BOARD To HEAR
POLICE CHIEF
Hodgkins Says He Will Make
Defense Against Mrs. Har-
rison's EXtortion Charge
IS BUSY ON HIS CASE
Bribing of Depart
ment Head Causes Stir of
Uneasiness at City Hall

OAKLAND, Aug. 1.-THE Board of
Police and Fire Commissioners will take
up the investigation of the charges MADE
by Mrs L. NJ Harrison, midwife at
1772 Goss street. that she paid $1,000 to
Chief of Police Hodgkins to square
case in which she had been arrested un-
der suspicion of having caused the death
of Mrs Jennie Broth. Hodgkins to-day
reiterated his denials that he had ever
received money from Mrs. Harrison, or
had ever been at her residence for any
purpose.
All Of the Police Commissioners agree
that there should be an investigation.
The publicity which has been given TO
Mrs. Harrison's statements, coming so
soon after the recently discussed prize
lottery ticket mutilations, which Hodg-
kins permitted, has created an uneasy at
mosphere at police headquarters. The
Chief of Police has declared that he VIII
be prepared in a day or two to disprove
the accusation of extortion. He has not
said what he will present in making his
defense before his superiors. He declares
his purpose to ask the Commissioners for
an early hearing.
In his explanations to-day, Chief Hodg-
kins insists that the only time he ever
conversed with Mrs Harrison was for
few minutes in the city prison, when, the
Chief says the woman declared she had
been told that he was responsible for her
Imprisonment.
On the other hand, Mrs. Harrison en-
phaticaIly declared Hodgkins visited her
house as she has related, and that there
are at least two witnesses TO prove the
truth Of her statements. So far as the
commission is concerned the official at
titude toward this latest scandalous out
break in the police department is set
forth by Mayor Mott, who as president
Of the board said to-day:
so far as Mrs. Harrison's charges are
concerned they will receive the attention
of the board. Until hearing can be had
shall not express any opinion. Chlef or
Police Hodgkins will be given ample op-
portunity of defense"
Commissioner McElroy has expressed
himself as in favor of an investigation.
The third member, Commissioner Turner,
also believed there should be an inquiry.
The board will probably wait until the
regular meeting next Wednesday morn
ing before taking official action on the
charges.
The matter of Chief Hodgkins' action
several weeks ago in allowing agents Oh
San Francisco lottery company to mutt
late a $500 prize winning lottery ticket
that was seized from John Perry, West
Oakland saloon-keeper. before the drawing
has not been disposed of by the Police
Commissioners.
Hodgkins confessed his part in the de-
struction of the coupon, the numbers on
which were torn off in his presence by
agents of the company while it was still
in the hands of the police as evidence
against Perry. The excuse made by
Hodgkins was that he was thoughtless IN
permitting the lottery people TO get hold
of the ticket He denied that any finan-
cial gain had resulted to himself from the
transaction.
The mutilation of the coupon made it
impossible for any one to cash the prize
that the number on the ticket had won
At the preliminary hearing before the
board. the Chief and the company $
agents were reinforced by State Senator
Eddie l. Wolfe of San Francisco and
State Senator @. R. Lukens of this city.
who appeared as attorneys to help in an
explanation of the circumstances. Ever
since that appearance the Commissioners
have held the matter in allegiance. The
understanding has been that Com
missioner Turner was unable to see
anything heinous in Hodghins ac-
ton, and that Mayor Mott was
not ready to submit the case for 4
final decision. The Mayor has said re-
peatedly that he did not like the aspect
of the affair, and that he had not dropped
II by any means.