The San Francisco call., 1908-12-04
KFIL-, ON GRID,
REMAINS MUM
TO COLLEAGUES
Refuses Point Blank to Give
Commissioners Details of
Buggy Interview
Statement Demanded From Him
in Secret Session, but He
Says It's Sacred
Mayor Taylor Takes on His
Own Shoulders Selection
of New Chief

Police Commissioner hugo D. Keil
refused last night, during the executive
session Of the police commission, to
communicate to his fellow members the
details Of his last conversation with
Chief Biggx
Urged repeatedly to tell all that had
happened during the two hours which
he spent with Biggy at Belvedere,
Commissioner Keil stubbornly refused
10 divulge more than he has already
made public.
Pressed for his reason for concealing
this information. Ken declared that he
had told all he had to tell. even to the
commission sitting in secret. and that
what remained locked up in his breast
was sacred and could not be revealed
70 anybody.
The catachizing Of Keil was an un-
expected incident of the secret session
which preceded the open meeting of
the board last night and developed con-
siderable heat and bad feeling. At it's
conclusion the other commissioners
were still in the dark as to the subject
matter Of the unrevealed conversation
MAY CLASH WITH MAYOR
other clouds of approaching trouble
loom dark on the horizon of the police
commission. To the conflict among the
commissioners is added the decided
probability OF disagreement between
the commissioners and the mayor. The
whole situation is fraught with possi-
biiiues OF serious discord.
Mayor Taylor assumed yesterday the
entire responsibility for the appoint
!ment of chief Of police. In discussing
the matter he did not once refer to any
part which the police commissioners
might have in the matter. He declared
that he had not yet made up his mind
who the new chief would be, but that
when he had once decided this knotty
problem. the appointment would quick
y follow.
That the board Of police commits
sioners might desire some voice in the
matter Of the appointment did not seem
10 enter the mind of the mayor for a
moment. That this attitude Of the
mayor has been communicated to the
board is most likely, for acting Chief
Of Police Cutler had a conference with
his honor yesterday. When Cutler de-
parted IN his automobile after a flying
visit 10 the city hall the name of Cutler
was mentioned 10 the mayor as that of
& possible head for the department
Mayor Taylor was visibly vexed at the
suggestion.
While the search of the bay con-
tinued all day without revealing the
Whereabouts OF Biggy's body and while
rumors having 10 do with his probable
successor few about town. strange
stories TO the effect that Biggy vas
still alive and had been seen since the
night Of his disappearance in midday
came from several sources with curious
eircumstantisl details.
SEEN IN RENO
The first OF these stories came from
Reno and ran 10 the effect that John
s. Russell. formerly q private detective
IN this city. had seen Biggy in the
smoking compartment Of a train al
Sparks Search of the train yielded nc
clew as TO Biggy's presence or as to
the basis OF the strange tale credited
10 Russell.
From Denver came another story oil
the same kind Chief of Police Arm.
strong Of that city received word yes
tercay that Biggy was in Denver. hav.
ing taken refuge in the home of Z
friend. who had been sworn to secrec,
as TO his hiding place.
Chief Armstrong considered the stor,
of sufficient Importance to warrant
rigid investigation. but the efforts O.
his Office TO locate Biggy in the Rock,
mountain metropolis have so far beer
without success.
A third story referred to Biggy',
presence much nearer home. Jimm,
LsWlor. a former prize fighter. states
yesterday that he had seen Chief o.
Police Biggy riding through san Ra
fael IN an automobile, subsequent Il
Biggys disappearance. Biggy. accord
ing 10 Lawlor, was sitting beside Z
fieshy. smooth shaven man.
The theory that Biggy is still aliv,
persists curiously in the minds of many
OF his friends. That he was no
drowned al all, but found some means
Of disappearing from the launch il
safety has been stated in all serious
ness By many who have discussed tn,
case. The Denver story attracts at
tention particularly on this account
Acting Chief Cutler is one of those
who has offered the theory that Bigg,
did not down, but was carried out Of
the bay after the fashion of the hero
Of Frank Norris Moran of the Lads
Lefty. While the chief propoundeC
this theory as plausible, he declared
that he believed that Biggy had beer
accidentally drowned.
Within and without the police de-
partment yesterday the absorbing toni,
was the new chief OF police The da,
brought its quota of new candidate,
and developments which pointed TO tn.
elimination Of two names previousI,
mentioned
WHELAS OFT OF RACE
u is said that Mayor Taylor does no
wish TO consider the name of forme
Sheriff Richard I. Whelan because Whe
Ian is represented in a legal capacit,
By Campbell. Metson & Drew, the at
torneys who defended Mayor Schmitz
The chances Of former Chief Whitman
were also "beared." the reason give,
being his previous bad record in thl
department.
None Of the police captains is activel-
working for the place. Despite thei
abundant ambitions the captains ar
canny men and they have studied con
ditions too well 10 Sc eager to ris,
..Fs ,l.s