The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION
COMPLAINS 9E POLICE
F. w. Smithson Says Patrol-
man Tobin Refused to
Protect Him
ATTACKED IN STREET
Several Strike Synnpathizers
Beat Him for Riding
on Car

The following communication was
sent to Adjutant General Lauck yester-
day by Secretary King of the Mer-
chants association. together with a let
ter from one OF the members who was
abused by strike sympathizers:
Merchants Association. San Francisco. June 1.
- lsocMTo the Adjutant General National Gpara
the inclosed narrative Of an occurrence in the
streets of San Francisco yesterday afternoon, In
which F. W. Smithson. who is connected with the
office Of this association. was involved. This is
another clear case of neglect OF official duty
by one of the city's policemen. and we think
that 1t is matter concerning which you would
wish information. If you desire to interview
Mr.. Smithson further upon this subject. he vii!
d. De glad to call upon you at such time i1nd ana
this matter to the attention Of the district at
torney's office; Very respectfulIy, On s.n
THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF SAN
FRANCISCO. L. NJ. KING. Secretary.
Smithson's statment was as follows:
/ left the Market street car at the corner
tween 3 and 4 o. m. and walked down Third
street to Folsom AS passed the corner OF
center of the street / went along Third street
below Folsom the west side, possibly 100
rect, when some one jostled against me from the
right side. AS l turned TO see -who.tt was man
stepped back into a vacant lot three or -FOUR
feet At this moment some one struck me from
behind. AS l turned back the man who had
that he had held in his hand.
The man on my right then came back ana
and grabbed my arms. turned and got him
by the throat and held him. meanwhile looking
back to Folsom street for the policeman. he
one struck m me twice on the bach of the head
from behind, when L let go of him and turned
and another man came at me from, the front.
ran at him and kicked him in the face. He
turned and ran up Third street toward Folsom.
The. two other men then stood moment and
finally turned and after the first one
followed them back. They turned west In
Folsom street and into Riteh and started cir
cling around building ] stood on the cor.
ner Of Ritch and Folsom streets and watched
them and asked boy Of about 10 years to go
back to the corner of Third and tell the police
man 9hat be was wanted. The policeman In the
meantime had again appeared at the corner. The
boy ran down. spoke to the policeman. ran back
to me- and said. "The cop says If anybody wants
him they have to come for him themselves.
watched the men, then decided not to follow
them farther and went back to the corner OF
Third and Folsom streets. asking; the policeman
been ascertained to be Richard Tobin). II he had
been on that corner few minutes earlier. He
morning I then asked him II boy had told
him that he was wanted up the block
He said: yes. my beat is on this corner.
I'd give you worse dose myself. ] don't know
who You are.
said: Possibly you will know. But as 1T t.
proceeded to curse me roupdly and leff. -
General Lauck said yesterday that
similar complaints are pouring into his
Office daily. Most of the persons. he
said, were very bitter against members
of the police force, who, they claimed,
refused to give them protection when
they were attacked
I'VE are powerless to take any action
in regard to these complaints" said the
adjutant general. "A1l we can do Is to
place them on file and call the govern
or's attention to them. Until he gives
the word we are not in a position to
do anything"