The San Francisco call., 1908-12-03
MANY ASPIRE TO
BE POLICE CHIEF
Horde OF Chronic Office Seekers
VoIley in Applications to
Succeed Biggy
Richard |. Whelan Candidate
Believed to Have Strongest
Backing in Race

Police Commissioner Hugo D. Keil is
in favor of the immediate selection OF
new chief of police to succeed Will
liam J. Biggy. Commissioners Cutler,
Leggett and Sweigert, with Mayor
Taylor, are opposed TO such course,
declaring it would be indelicate, i'm
proper and "unchristian." All, how
ever. are allowing no grass to grow
beneath their feet in the consideration
of possibilities. and none intends to be
last with the presentation of the name
of his favorite candidate.
Among outsiders no reticence at all
has been shown. A horde of chronic
office seekers have volleyed in their
applications for the vacancy and other
persons who thought they had a claim
on the administration have set their
friends to work.
Those who stand the best chance of
serious consideration are the ones who
have been proposed by members of the
board. General Woodruff was pro-
posed by Commissioner Kei1, but he
has been disqualified by reason of his
residence in Berkeley. Former Chief
of Police George C. Whitman has been
suggested to the mayor. Former Cap
tains John Seymour and John Martin
are also frequently mentioned.
wHELAN STRONGEST CANDIDATE
ITO CduNludtG Will JHG StEOH6cSt
backing, however, is Richard I. Whe-
Ian. Whelan was Commissioner Leg
gett's choice before Biggy was select
ed, and Leggett is again strongly in
his favor. Whelan is also indorsed by
Judge James G. Mcguire, James H
Barry. editor of the Star, and Walter
Macarthur, editor of the Coast Sea-
mems Journal. Whelan formerly was
sheriff of San Francisco county and is
n nnl n hty hi tA
made one of the best records ever
achieved in that office.
| A. ID. Cutler, acting chief of police
and president of the board of police
commissioners, is an active aspirant
for the place permanently. To in
quirers Cutler is shy. but .'Barkis is
willin'." He likes the job, he likes
the post would bring him. Possibly
with his own candidacy in mind he
has not yet thought of the probable
choice of the commission.
HASN'T CONSIDERED 1T
Il haven't even considered it," he de-
clared emphatically yesterday. I'll
would be unchristian, indelicate. i'm
proper and premature to speak of such
a thing at this time. AS TO the pre-
sentation OF my own name, l have not
even considered it-and so with all the
others. There is a possibility that
Chief Biggy was picked up by an out
bound vessel and carried out to sea. as
was the hero of one of Frank Norris
stories. By reason of the uncertainty
of what has happened to him / was
hesitant at the meeting of the COM
missioners as to whether we should
drape the headquarters"
Harry McKannay, secretary to
Mayor Taylor, has been mentioned for
| a. tx,,t -. a..
yesterday that he would not take the
place.
Il don't want to lose my reputation "
said MCKINNEY. MY ambition is to
take up my profession of the law and
l am not an office seeker. Every chief
of police has lost his good name in
the place and l have no hankering for
such an honor
In the gossip of the street Detective
Sergeant Robert Hogan has been men
toned. He was candidate for the
position of chief at the time that
Colonel w. p. Sullivan was appointed
/ shortly after the charter came into
effect He is the oldest member OF
the department in point of service, but
as he is only 64 years of age he has
several years of activity before him
! yet. If he were appointed the detective
branch of the department would re.
| ceive much needed overhauling anc
the same can be said of Seymour ane
Martin, who both have acted as cap
\ tain of detectives.
/ Captain Anderson's name has also
been mentioned, but he would not ac-
cept the position. Another name men.
toned was that of Charles r. Skellv
secretary to the police commission. Ht
was in close touch with Chief Bigg,
and is also highly thought of By the
! members of the commission.