The San Francisco call., 1906-10-10
OMAN DENOUNCED
BY HARRISON.

Chief of Police Dinan was denounced
before the Police Commissioners last
night by Assistant District Attorney
r. c. Harrison for his unseemIy haste
in releasing from custody the four car
men arrested on Monday night for
brutally assaulting Charles r. Brennan.
newspaper man. Harrison did not
mince words in asking that the Chief
be censured for his conduct. He asked
that an immediate investigation be
held, but the Commissioners preferred
to let the matter rest until tonight,
when there Will be complete recital
of the circumstances that Influenced
the Chief in his actions.
Brennan was assaulted on an O'Far-
rell street car Sunday morning after
an alteration with W. NJ. Parchment.
a motorman. Parchment and three OF
his accomplices were arrested that
night by Detective e. L. Gibson. They
remained in the Park station until
Tuesday morning, when by order of
the Chief they were released from Gus
tody. The order was made after long
consultation with Attorney Sheehan,
the representative OF the United Rail-
roads,
sHEEHAN's RECORD.
Until a few years ago sheehan was
a member of the police force. An ac-
cident while on duty in the Mission
was supposed to have rendered him
Incompetent. He drew salary for sew
eral years on the pension list, but
when the commission undertook to re-
lieve that fund of the dead timber II
was carrying. Sheehan refused to
come back to work and sent in his
resignation. Since then he has been
doing effective work in "squaring" the
damage and criminal suits against the
company.
Chief Dinan explained his unusual
conduct by the statement that he was
forced to release the men by a threat
that habeas corpus proceedings would
be brought. AS 1t Is customary on the
part of Police Court lawyers to make
this threat whenever one of their
clients is in jail the Chiefs explanation
seems to be inadequate. Harrison at
least seemed to think so when he de-
nounced the action of the Chief as un-
PARALLEL In the history of the de-
partment.
Acting Mayor Gallagher also thinks
so. He sent a caustic letter to Presi-
dent Leahy Of the police commission
last night, asking that a full investiga-
tion of the circumstances be made. He
does not understand why men, who
may become within few hours under
charge of murder should be treated
with any more consideration than the
ordinary OuenOeTS. COmIulSS1OnSt
Cresswell also feels the same
way, although he was willing
to let the Chief have a chance
to redeem himself. At late
hour last night the Chief directed
Captain Gleeson to rearrest the four
men, although there seems to be little
chance to apprehend them before morn
! ing.
| GRILLS CHIEF DINAN.
Altogether 1t was an unpleasant
meeting for the Chief, who is blamed
/ for much of the 1awlessness that now
| exists In the city. President Leah5
began by asking how many OF the alb
sent patrolmen had reported for duty
The Chief replied that 145 men were
added to the local force, but that forty
six were still absent. He explained
however, that he expected the Others
to report for duty within the week
and that altogether he had $50 men
|. available for active duty.
Commissioners Creswell supplemented
| the report with motion that all vaca-
\ tions be annulled, and that every mem
Der of the department report for duty
at once Commissioner Cresswen alsc
startled the department by a motion
requiring that the patrolmen on duty
near Eighth and Harrison at the time
/ the saloon conducted by Carl Doell was
held up be cited to appear, and that
Captain Mooney ascertain the name OF
the patrolman who brutally assaulted
Lieutenant Brewster OF the Marine
- ,f-of tan