The San Francisco call., 1906-12-27
CAP TA|NS At WAR
OVER "TRUSTY'


of the O'Farrell-street police station,
which permitted Edward Summerfield,
a vagrant serving ninety-day SEN
tence, to go and come from his cell
as he desired, has come to the atten-
tion of the Board of Police Commits
sioners. Captain Gleeson, in charge of
the district, and Sergeants of Police
Harper and Brady, who alternate in
charge of the station, are to be brought
before the Commissioners.
While Summerfield was away from
the prison on December he went to
the room of James Fitzgerald in Mar
ket street after the latter had been
arrested for burglary, including the
robbery of the Hoef1er House on
stroyed evidence wanted by the police
to convict Fitzgerald
Summerfeld returned to mis- cell and
gave Fitzgerald IS out Of the sum Of
$40 found in the room, kept $25 for
himself and held $40 in keeping for the
burglar.
SUMMERFIELD WAS OUT
When Captain of Detectives Duke
learned yesterday of the peculiar con-
ditions existing at the O'Farrell-s
station Detectives Gibson and Dow
were sent there to arrest Summerfield
for completely in Fitzgerald's crimes
his accustomed walks about town.
This surprising state of affairs has
caused much feeling between Captain
of Detectives Duke, who is fnvestigat-
ing the matter, and Captain of Police
Gleeson. Gleeson said that the men
under him had not been guilty of GRIM
inal negligence
Oficial Police Photographer Bloom
was told yesterday by Sergeant Of Po-
lice Perrine that he would not be al
lowed to photograph the knave who
had made away with evidence that
mignt have been invaluable in furnish
ing clews to numerous crimes. Later
Detectives Gibson and Dow appeared
to make the arrest Of Summerfield.
GLEASON HIS FRIEND
In October SummerfieId was arrested
by Detectives Bell and Bailey on a
charge of vagrancy. He was deemed
vicious character. He was sentenced
to serve ninety days in the county Jail,
but at the request of Captain Gleason
he was instead made 'trusty" at the
O'Farrell street prison. From that time
on he enjoyed the unusual privileges
now complained Of
On the day that Fitzgerald was ar
rested for the robbery Of the Hoeff1er
residence, 130 Haight street, where he
beat Miss Edith Hoeffler into insensi-
bility, Summerfield made his acquaint-
ance. Despite the fact that the Hoeffler
burglary and four others were admit
ted by Fitzgerald, Summerfield was al
lowed to converse with him. Policeman
George Williams once saw Fitzgerald
pass note to Summerheld. The two
plotters saw they were discovered and
the note was passed backsto FITZGERALD
and destroyed. When Williams back
was turned second note telling Sum-
merfieId where Fitzgerald resided and
where the loot could be found was
passed out.
PLAYS INNOCENCE
Summerfe1d denies that he had any
part in the alleged plot to help Fitz-
gerald and Captain of Police Gleeson
professed to believe that no such thing
was possible. To Offset this Is the con-
fession of Fitzgerald to Detective Glib
son and the positive Identification of
Summerfield by bell boy who works
at the market street lodging house
where Fitzgerald roomed. The boys
name is being withheld at present to
protect him from any attack or inf1u-
ence Summerfield's friends might con-
template.
Captain of Detectives Duke says:
There is no question that Sum-
merfield was permitted to commit a
felony while he was a trusty' at the
O'Farrell street jail. The case will be
thoroughly investigated. Fitzgerald
has confessed to his part in the affair
and we are now looking for the loot so
that it may be returned to owners or
used in fastening graver crimes on
Fitzgerald
Captain G1eeson and Duke met on
the street block from headquarters in
the afternoon after the case had been
given to the papers and heated argu-
ment occurred, which ended with Cap
tain Duke telling Gleeson that he was
in charge of the detective department
and would conduct 1t without Gleeson's
aid. Gleeson replied that Captain Duke
would not run him." and that he
would do as he pleased.