The San Francisco call., 1906-09-25
Dlnan to Face
Investigation
Political Activity of the
Chief to Result in
an Inquiry.

CnleI or Police j. f. Dfnan TOT the
active part he has taken in opposition
70 the denomination of Superior Judge
William p. Lawlor The charter for
bids any member of the Police Depart
ment meddling in politics. In denance
OF that Injunction Dinan. at the request
or Ruef or some one equal In author
ity has been using the power or the
department to force saloonmen to enter
the fight against Lawlor
Friends of the jurist believe that
with an impartial Police Commission
they have evidence enough to prove a
fagrant< violation of the law Three
witnesses who have been approached
upon the subject are willing to tell
how they have been threatened II they
failed to line up with the Ruef dele
gates in the Democratic convention
AS the commission is non-partisan it
will not refuse to act upon the formal
charges which are being prepared. At
the trial full inquiry into the motives
of Dinan in using his office for political
purposes will be disclosed. The possf-
bilities of such an inquiry are unlimit-
ed and may lead to- startling develop
ments.
The orders to beat Judge Lawlor
were issued some weeks ago. Three
candidates have been put in the field
in the hope that one of them may mar
shal enough delegates to make the re-
nomination of Lawlor an impossibility.
AS Lawlor rs not seeking an tndorse-
ment from any other party, 1T will be
necessary to beat him in the Demo-
cratic convention IL his name Is to be
kept from the people.
In administering the affairs of his
court Lawlor has offended many polit-
ical leaders who have been in the
habit Of debating how justice should
be dispensed. Consequently there Is a
general clamor for the jurist's political
scalp. The strongest opposition comes
from that branch of the administration
forces that espoused the cause OF Stef-
fens, Rebstock and Wyman in the ball
lot-box stuffing prosecutions.
Public Works Commissioner Frank
Maestretti, as the sponsor of Wyman
and Rebstock, also became involved In
the tangle and was forced to face a
jury before he could clear himself
Lawlor's gravest offense In the eyes of
the politicians, however, was the lati-
tude which he allowed the Andrews
Grand Jury.
There was little rest for the office
holders while that body was delving
into the affairs of the municipality
Instead of curtailing its powers, Law
Tor allowed both time and money In the
expectation that some Of the abuses in
the administration of the city govern
menL might De corrected.
Although he had no part in directing
the movements OF the jury, he was
blamed for its activity and is now
reaping a whirlwind of opposition
from those who cry loudest for pure
judiciary
To cause his defeat the names of
James e. ODounell Police Judge E. p.
Mogan and Police Judge Charles T.
Conlan have been urged ODonnell is
"a
Cart faction of the Democratic party
two years ago. Conlan and Mogan have
been consistent Democrats, but they
are both holding judicial office. Con-
Ian has already attempted to reach the
Superior bench, but was beaten in the
Republican landslide of 1904. or the
three aspirants for Lawlor's place it is
believed that Mogan has the best
chance.
The opposition, however is taking
no chances. Not content with incrm-
bering the field with candidates, it is
proposed to offer a resolution, prefaced
with declaration that the judiciary
should be taken out OF politics. author
izing the appointment of a committee
to confer with the other parties The
chances OF Lawlor in Republican con-
vention controlled by Ruef are not diff
ficult to guess.
This scheme is to be carried out by
the election of John ]. Greeley, the
leader of the old Twenty-eighth Dis
trict, as the chairman of the conven-
ton. If Greeley can secure enough
votes to win that honor the scheme will
be put through in spite. of Lawlors
friends. The fight will center on the
Craftsmanship. Lawlor's friends believe
they can control the conventions
Every scheme known in practical pol
itics is being worked in the present
struggle. Chief Dinan's influences with
the saloon men is strong enough to
handle many OF them. They are com
ing before him daily in search of con-
cessions and he can dictate to them his
own terms.
Ruef has never had much use for
Lawlor since the ballot box stuffng
cases, although he was not personally
interested In their outcome. Many Of
his subordinates were, however, and
Ruef has naturally taken UP the cudgel
in their behalf
The extent of his influence in the
Democratic convention is doubtful.
Greeley was not originally a Ruef man,
but his personal dislike of Lawlor has
sent him over to the boss camp with
the understanding that he is to be the
chairman.
Judge Lawlor's friends laugh at
Greeley's confidence, They assert that
they have enough votes in the conven-
ton to organize it with little trouble
William Kelly they declare, will be
elected chairman and the nomination of
Lawlor follow.
Chief of Police Dinan said yesterday:
nave nothing in particular to say
except to state that the accusation that
l am doing politics has heen made
every political campaign. There is
nothing In the report that I am in pol
lticS in any way do not care TO dis
cuss that matter further than that"
Attorney Ruef refuses to discuss the
charges that Chief Dinan has been
ngnting the nomination of Judge Law
ior. he declares that he knows moth
ing OF the alleged improper conduct of
Tor.