The San Francisco call., 1905-08-20

At the time this Grand Jury was
impaneled the fact that the whole Po-
lice Department was involved in an
elaborate system Of bribery and corrup-
tion had obtained such notoriety that
q rigid investigation Of its operation
was deemed imperative. and unusual
activity has marked the work of the
comrittee assigned 70 that duty
Though the unabating energy Of its
members has been eXerted for months
and its efforts have been materially
augmented by she active assistance Of
the whole Grand Jury-its task is still
far from completed
The results. however. may be sum
married in the finding that wholesale
and widespread violation OF law is open,
notorious and nagrant: that ii meets
with the acquiescence Of the Mayor; that
ii receives the approval of the Police
Commissioners; that IL is aided. abet-
ted and protected by police officials; and
we are convinced that if this condition
be the result Of incompetency it is Of
such a conspicuous and distinguished
quality that il must have been studious
ly cultivated, patiently acquired and
amply compensated. We find that vice
and crime have been organized so sys-
,tematically and fostered with such Wig
n Mt attention to detail that nothing
Khfch business acumen or political eX-
neglected or omitted: and the operation
or the system is so perfect that speedy
detection and Swift punishment over
take the vicious and criminal who can
not pay the price.
The first matter called to our at
tention was the open and notorious
gambling in Chinatown. long continued
under the protection of the Police De-
partment and with the knowledge of the
Mayor: and though our investigation
there produced more tangible results
than other lines of inquiry pursued. it
fairly illustrates the general conditions
revealed in other fields of criminal
activity.
PooLRoOMS ARE OPEN.
AS it is not the function Of this
Grand jury TO police the city and coun-
ty OF San Francisco. and nineteen men
would hardly be an adequate force for
that purpose In any event, that work
was left 70 the 200 police. under the di-
rection Of the Mayor. the Board of Po-
lice Commissioners and the Chief of Po-
lice As q result, nearly all Of the pool
rooms in the city are again operating
without interference.
We believe that immunity from
arrest and prosecution is purchased. and
we are convinced that the Mayor. the
Police Commissioners and the Chief of
Police could absolutely eradicate this
evil If they were so disposed The Po-
lice Commissioners have threatened to
revoke the licenses Of salocn-keepers
because poker playing was permitted In
cigar stores connected with their places
Of business, and as the majority OF pool
selling is done from cigar stores the
same method OF procedure could be ap-
Yied with success. even though they
were unable to obtain honest and efn-
cient service from patrolmen-
1t has been impossible for this Grand
Jury 10 make q thorough investigation
o. each department Of the Board OF
Public Works or an audit of accounts
in the departments that receive money
for public services performed From
such inquiry as we have been able 10
make into the affairs of this depart
ment, and upon the facts developed, we
report:
That the organization of the Board
Of Public Works the Mayor is in
1ss violation of the charter
That the board has violated the char
ter in letting contracts and in approv-
ing bonds Of contractors.
That the board has consistently op-
posed the operations of the civil SER
vice law.
That the board has fixed salaries of
employees without regard to service
rendered and solely for political ex-
pediency.
That the board has permitted and
countenanced frequent violations of
law by subordinates.
That Secretary Morris Levy has col
lected. retained and failed to account
1pr public moneys and has been guilty \
OF general misconduct and neglect of
duty
That Architect W. d. Shea has been
guilty OF neglect OF duty and gross vio-
lation OF law In approving the con-