The San Francisco call., 1908-09-08
POLICEMAN SAYS
BRACHMANN LIES
Officer Frank M. Cummings
Files Serious Complaint
Against Biggy's Friend
Barbary Coast Saloon Keeper
Threatens to Break" Patrol-
man Who Followed Orders

Joseph Brachmann, Barbary coast
saloon keeper and particular friend of
Chief of Police Biggy and Police Com
missioner Keil, is scheduled to face the
police commission again in the imme-
diate future, with indications that he
will not be received with quite the
same friendly warmth that character
lied his last appearance. Biggy and
Keil are to be given another opportu-
nifty of judging his case, and this time
on a serious charge brought by a po-
liceman and coupled with Brachmann's
own admission of acting as middleman
in an alleged bribery deal.
Policeman Frank n. Cummings yes
terday prepared and signed charges
against Brachmann. together with re-
quest for the revocation of the license
Of the saloon at 645 Pacific street. con-
Quoted by Brachmann as manager for
Isaac Is. Janofsky. The charges will
be filed with the secretary of the police
commission today.
Brachmann himself precipitated this
latest investigation of his business
methods by telling Captain Duke few
days ago that he had paid Cummings
$40 to have a charge of vagrancy
against Norris Landau dismissed in the
police court; that he had paid Cum
mings another S5 to refrain from mo-
testing B. Landsman, cigar dealer at
Washington and Kearny streets, and
that he had received $40 from Davis
Cohen to secure Cummings influence in
having a vagrancy charge against Co.
hen dismissed.
Captain Dukes Investigations not
only failed to bring to light any evil
dence against Cummings, but raised
a strong suspicion in the minds of po-
lice officials that Brachmann was at
tempting TO Job Cummings because
the latter's fulfillment of his duty had
not resulted to the best advancement of
Brachmann's business interests, Even
Chief Biggy was forced to see 1t this
way, and advised Cummings to file
counter charges against Brachmann.
Two weeks ago Biggy was on the
other side of the fence with Commits
sioner Keil, battling valiLntly before
the commission to save Brachmann
from having his license revoked for al
lowing women patrons in his Pacific
street resort.
Father Caraher of ST. Francis parish
was largely responsible for the change
of front that has occurred. He ap-
peared in person at the following meet
ing of the police commissioners and
reminded Biggy and the police COM
mission of promise made to him
self and several other ministers and
priests that the Barbary coast dis
trict should not be extended west of
kearny street. Brachmann evidently
relied too implicitly upon the friendship
of Biggy and KeiI and carried his
brazen disregard for decency step too
far by attempting to break" Policeman
Cummings.
In his written charges Cummings
says: That all of said Brachmann's
statements so far as giving any money
whatsoever to this complainant are ma
licious and false, and prompted by a
desire for revenge because of the in
jury done to the said Brachmann's
business by this complainant while in
the performance of his duty, and by
reason of his admission that he has re-
ceived money for the alleged purpose
of bribing a police officer he is an un-
fit person to be engaged in the saloon
business; that by reason of the fact
that he is employed as manager by the
said Isaac B. Janofsky the house is con-
Quoted in an improper manner"
Cummings bears an excellent reputa-
tion as policeman and prior to join
ing the force about year ago he bore
an equally good reputation in the fire
department.