Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-12-02
BIGGY
tCo-tinued From Page IL


his own handwriting. It set forth
the reasons for his quitting the de-
partment and contained a denial of
any charges of neglect Of duty.
The chief told Kell that he feared
both the police commission and May
or Edward 2. Taylor were being em-
barra1sed by the frequency and bit
terness of the attacks upon his ad-
ministration of the police depart
ment, and that, to save his friends.
he was willing to sacrifice himself.
keil assured Biggy that the police
commission was satisfied with his I'D
ministration, and advised him not to
withdraw under fire. Keil argued
with B'ggy for en- hour and a hals.
and refused to allow him to depart
for San Francisco in his jesponden'
condition. After awhile Biggy ap-
peared to regain his usual cheerful
mood, end departed on the journey
which ended so tragically.
In the face Of indications of the
conflict raging in the chiefs mind,
and in spite of his interview with
Biggy, Keil will not as yet say that
he believed the chief was accidental
ly drowned, but intimated the plausi-
bility Of suicide.
The resignation of the chief was
given to Mayor Taylor by Keil. Il
sets forth in detail the motives that
inspired him in the administration
OF his office, defends the probity of
his acts, and scores his critics for
their injustice.
The attacks upon his character
and criticism of his administration
OF the police department preyed upoE
the mind of Chief Blggy on the oc-
casion preceding his disappearance
according TO Congressman Julius
Kahn, who leaves for Washington
today.
! Kahn said that he met Biggy on
Monday afternoon near police head
quarters and had a few minutei
convc, setion with the chief. The
first remark OF Biggy was question
as to whether Kahn had seen the
newspaper "Ioasts" about him.
He then spoke OF being persecut-
ed by Newspaper in this city," con-
tinued Kahn, "and said that he was
subjected TO the annoyancts because
he refused to do politics with their
favorites.
/ "Biggy said IL will como out ell
right, however, finally. This busi-
ness can't last forever and will
eventually be vindicated They put
M In Office and then thought that l
would do just as they dictated
'Thic Is long story and Il
would take some time to explain tho
matter in its entirety" he continued,
bat come 60 see me when you re
turn from Washington and | will be
ready to tell you everything
I'VE parted az the corner and that
is the last ! saw OF the chief"
Driven Wild.
San Francisco, Dec. 2.-Following
an exposition OF the insufficient rea-
sons given boy the police commission
for the strange disappearance and
probable suicide of Chief OF Police
william j. Biggy, who was lost from
the patrol boat on the bay Monday
night. the Daily News this afternoon
says:
There has been big effort on the
part OF Biggy's friends and the
members of the police commission to
deny the stories OF the chiefs esca'
pades PRIOR 10 his disappearance The
public is entitled 10 know the truth
"Biggy had been drinking heavily
for several weaks prior to his death
on numerous occasions he bscamo
mixed in night orgies, which became
known all over town. lie imagined
that every man he saw on the streets
after dark was hOld-up man. and
on numerous occasions, on Soina
home In his automobile. after 4 aighI
OF drinking in downtown saloons, ne
would halt his machine, roughly atop
innocent pedestrians. and inreaten
them with arrest on the suspicion
that were footpads.
He was given 10 making spectaeu-
lar raids single-handed, and at times
the peculiar things thai he did could
be attributed only 10 drink. Com
missioner Leggitt was compelled on
many occasions 10 go Ia the chief 3
once and remain there with him on
these occasions Biggy would promise
10 mend his Ways and quit doing
/ foolish things, bHt as soon as he be-
gan drinking again he would break