The San Francisco call., 1906-10-11
M0GAN L|BERATEs
FIVE BAD MEN.
Criminals Caught in Tent
by Patrolman Goff Not
Even jailed as Migrants
POLICE PLEAD -VAINI1Y


While at least part of the police
force and all decent citizens are striv-
ing to end the present reign OF lawless-
ness in this city, Police Judge Mogan
is winning the appreciation OF the un-
der world as the friend or the rootpad,
the protector of the sgaspipe wielder
and the promoter of the hold-up inous-
try. Judge Mogan is candioate 1or
the Superior bench, and in ms eHorts
to secure election has qualified as
candidate for early attention at the
hands of the public safety committee
When the public read few days ago
of the capture by Policeman sCharles
Goff of FIVE men said to have partici-
pated In the carniva. of highway rob-
berry, there was general rejoicing at
this encouraging sign OF police activ-
ity. When the public learns that Police
Judge Mogan, in possession OF full
knowledge of the mems crimina!
records, of the circumstances which led
to their arrest, and of the prevailing
unsafe conditions on the pubic nigh
ways, lent deaf ear to the pieaoing
of the police and turned this quintet
loose. there will come the knoWieose
that one cause of the present iawless-
ness is Judge Mogan
FIVE TOUGH CITIZENS.
The FIVE men were arrested Septem-
Der 27, in a tent at First and harrison
streets Policeman Gons attention
had been called to the men by resi-
dent in the vicinity of the scene or the
capture This resident declared to the
policeman that he had seen the men
in the act of holding up citizens. he
refused to appear against them Tor the
reason that he feared violence at tneir
hands, If unconvicted. or at the hanos
of their friends. Goh found others VINO
had seen the men carrying loot INTO
their tent. A thorough investigation
satisfied him that the men were asso-
ciated together for no good purpose.
and on the afternoon Of September II
he decided to make the arrest
Alone he entered the tent, where ne
found the FIVE men sprawling on the
floor around a bucket OF Deer Inc
story of how he chained them together
with handcuffs, led them outside and,
gun in hand, waited until ne louno
somebody to telephone for the patrol
wagon, has been told.
When the records of the men were
Investigated the police realized the cap
ture was of great Importance. The men
were:
Nick Stafford, who was convicted OF
count Of his youth the charge was re-
duced to petty larceny and he got on
with six months imprisonment He
was sent to jail again Fenruary "a fbe O. same usv,
year. For another theft ne was put
behind the bars for six months oegin-
was sentenced to another six months
Imprisonment, also for theit
John STAFFORD. brother of Nick. Re-
leased August 90. 1905, from state
prison after serving three years Tor
.'Mush,' Greenway. recently complet-
ed a five years sentence for burglary.
Con" Condor, who. although q known known
has no conviction recorded against him
that the police have been able to md.
w J. Rogers. not KNOWN 70 tne ponce
IGNORES REQUEST OF POLICE.
Dread OF under world vengeance
proved more potent than police per-
suasion. and the people whose testi-
mony might have sent the quintet to
State prison stood firm in their refusal
to appear against the prisoners.
For the purpose of holding the men
in custody while they sought other evil
dence against them the police charged
the quintet with vas-uncy. Only one
of them "Mush" Greenway. had any
visible means of support. and all were
known associates of thieves and disso-
lutte persons.
I'VE made a special plea to Judge
Mogan to hold the men,, said Captain
Martin of the harbor police. The
Judge was placed in possession Of all
the facts in the hands of the police
and was asked to SEND them up for six
months the limit, under the vagrancy
charge This would nave given us
chance to dig up evidence; 1T would
have kept FIVE bad men where they
could do no harm for half year. and it
would have had a salutary effect on
others of their kind. The Judge had 1t
in his power also to strengthen the
hands of the police in way that moth
ing else would"
And what did Judge Mogan do? When
the case came up for trial the police
presented what they thought was
strong evidence to support the va
grancy charge. irrespective of their
previous conference with the magis-
trate.
Judge Mogan gave Condor and
Rogers their liberty at the first hear
ing. He released ex-convict 'Mush"
Greenway on his own recognizance, and
continued the hearing of his case and
the Staffords' until October 3. when he
discharged all three.
Last night Judge Mogan stated that
the reason he released the notorious
characters was that they promised him
they would Immediately leave town. He
added that he believed the men, The
police, however, say that they are still
in the city and around their usual
haunts.
CAR RUNS AWAY DOWN HILL