The San Francisco call., 1908-09-04
BOARD REFUSES TO
ISSUE A LICENSE
Father Caraher Succeeds in
Blocking Permit for Pacific
Street Dive
Policeman Edward 7. Davey
Loses Star and Is Repri-
manded by Commissioners


Father Terence Caraher's fight
against vice in San francisco was pro-
ductive of results last night, when the
board of police commissioners refused
to grant Michael Rafael permit to
erect a six foot partition in his Pacific
street dive in order to provide a drink
ing place for the female habitues Of the
Barbary coast.
The meeting of the commissioners was
productive of other results. Father
Caraher and the group Of fighters in
the cause OF decency witnessed one of
those inexplicable changes in mans
opinion. The change was agreeable for
Chief of Police Biggy did not appear as
the defender of the dive keepers. In
stead, his position was taken by Com
missioner Kyle. Biggy was gentle,
meek and subsefvient-so different from
the Chief Biggy ofglast week Biggy
was suave and polite to Father Caraher
and Father Caraher brought about re-
suits, notwithstanding the deep interest
displayed by Kyle for,the dive keepers.
Father Caraher has always been
consistent about questionable saloons"
Biggy assured the commissioners just
before RafaeFs permit was denied. HE
has objected before to such saloons"
concluded the former protector of the
Barbary coast dives. Father Caraher
only smiled and then went on to ex-
plain how one Of the women of the
coast insulted him in a streetcar the
other day. I'VE should stop these In
famies,' demanded the priest and then
came the denial of the permit
BIGGY BROKE PROMISE
Perhaps IL was the exhuming of un-
pleasant memories-of a promise that
was not needed, that changed Buggy
attitude Father Caraher forcibly re-
called to- the commissions attention
BiggX's old and broken promise, when
| the well known priest declared these
gentlemen with me- tonight object
strongly and vehemently to this per-
nit 1t was the understanding that Pa
cific street should be- kept clean. Two
permits allowing female. patrons have
been granted on this street-mind YOU
you. gentlemen, contrary to this under
standing. No decent person can pass
these places and I maintain that such
places are infamies. They ruin and un-
dermine the decency of the community
and poison our childrens minds 1t is
a fearful danger for our boys. Boys
have cut holes through the roofs Of
these places to witness the bestiality
and vice.
why didn't you appear before and
report these cases?" inquired Kyle
Because 1 have my time taken up
with many duties and I never thought
in the first place that the permits would
be granted after that understanding"
BOYS SUFFER EVIL INFLUENCES
At this juncture A. S. Astrado, a pro-
baton officer, jumped into the discus
sion He entered a vigorous protest
and then related that three boys under
his surveillance are now suffering from
the evil influence of the dives.
Rev. Z. L. Walz, pastor of the Green
street congregational church, addressed
the commissioners and protested against
the issuance of permit in behalf of
the Congregational churches of the
city, and his protest was followed by
that of J. l.. Kennedy, representing the
San Francisco federation of churches
Kyle interposed another question,
asking Kennedy IL it was not a fact
that the federation objected to any sa-
loon that permits female patrons you
object to them on general principles,
don't you? You want to drive the sa-
looms out Of every city, don't your" con-
cluded Kyle, and the reply from Ken
decency" But the denial came and the
group of churchmen left the room.
DAvEY LOSES HIS STAR
Late in the evening the case of Ed
ward T. Davey was called. After
y.
Davey defending her spouse, Davey,
betrayer of trusting girls. lost his star.
Within view of crowded room and be-
fore his young wife, the former Ellen
Yonge and her parents Davey tasted
of disgrace
The statements of Mrs. Davey and
her parents and relatives and that of
Harry Winkleman, the Mission hotel
clerk, conflicted and wide difference
was apparent in the testimony of
Davey and other witnesses, but evi-
dence of his guilt was Overwhelming.
Guilty" announced the clerk of the
board as he recorded the verdict.
Dismissed from the force" an
nounced the chairman as he made Off
cial and lasting note of the final step
in Davey's degradation. And Davey on
the arm of his girl wife staggered from
the room.
After lengthy hearing, the charges
Of grating preferred against Police
men Nicholas Reilly and Michael Burke
were dismissed.
James Mckinley. who charged Police
man Matthew Collins with unofflcer-
like conduct, failed to appear before
Il