The San Francisco call., 1909-11-16
GOSSIP MAKES
WHFLAN NEXT
POLICE CHIEF
To Be Appointed, With Leggett
Remaining as One of Me-
Carthy's Commissioners
Hagerty for Supervisors Clerk
and Wolfe for Congress
Other Political RumOrS
Bv GEORGE A. VAN SMITH

That Richard /. Whelan is to be
p. II. McCarthy's chief of police and
that Police Commissioner Leggett,
whelan's friend and advocate, is TO
remain as member of Mayor Nc
Carthy's official family are two Of the
bits of police department gossip given
something more than mere credence by
the political prophets and seers.
Around the alleged appointment Of
Whelan to the head of the police de-
partment the political wiseacres weave
an excellent bit of tAe logical prob
ability cloth which goes with almost
every political forecast. no matter how
far 1t may be from the truth.
Whelan. say the political graybeards,
is the friend of Jim Barry, proprietor,
editor and genius Of the only demo-
cratic publication in San Francisco
In that statement they can and DO
successfully defy contradiction. Again
they say Jim Barry supported Nc
Carthy. and not even whisper is
raised in denial But they also say
that Barry supported Mccarthy be-
cause and with the hope that Whelan
would be chief of police as soon as
Mayor Mccarthy could get around TO
That might have been Barrys incen-
tive and again it might have been
something altogether different. Barry
as publisher has had what may rea-
sonably be presumed TO be pleasant
business relations with Mccarthy and
organized labor for years Getting out
OF harmony with the powers and would
be powers in democracy is one of the
easiest things Barry does. His sup
not necessarily imply any bargaining
or promises Of preferment for his
friends.
Whelan was a candidate for appoint
ment TO the head of the police depart
ment when Cook was chosen from the
score or more possibilities presented
with petitions for the commissions ia
vorable consideration. Leggett sup
ported Whelan vigorously. but ineffec-
lively then. and is supposed to be
equally enthusiastic in his behalf now.
HAGERTY TO GET JOB
Another bit Of underground straight
information that has gone its way
through .he ranks Of the politicians
concerns Chairman BILLY" Hagerty of
the union labor county committee and
the new board OF supervisors. Accord
ing TO the latest dope Hagerty is TO be
clerk of the new board. From the
standpoint of applied politics it is the
most desirable salaried berth in San
Francisco's government It can be
made and has been made the clearing
house for limitless patronage. The
eagle eye Of guardianship was not the
only reason for the transfer Of Senator
George Keane from the berth of secre-
tsry 10 Mayor Schmitz TO the Office Of
clerk OF the board OF supervisors. It
is a good place for the right hand OF
the administration and Hagerty has
more than passing claim upon that dis
tinction in the case of the administra-
tion to be.
Recently Hagerty was touted as in
line for q place on the board OF works.
Hagerty himself did rather more than
fail to discourage the report. The
board of works is nice place. 1t car
Ties nice salary and ii holds the lid
TO one of the largest Of the municipal
pork barrels. II is whispered among
Hsgertys friends now that he has CIV
en- over the board of works idea and
is actively a candidate for the place
with the board of supervisors.
WOLFE FOR CONGRESS
Another bit of gossip going the
rounds and with some of the earnark
Of inspiration has TO do with the union
labor party capturing two congress
sional seats next year. Senator Eddie
Wolfe is supposed to be the fortunate
man chosen by the masters of the
union labor and republican machines
TO wear the honors which have been
Red Hayes for several years. So far
as Dame Rumor is concerned, the re-
publican nomination and the union
labor party Endorsement and nomina-
tion for congress from the fifth dis
trict have been signed, sealed and pre-
sunlably deposited with the local post
Office department for delivery to Wolfe.
And the end is not yet. When Nine.
Rumor gets busy in political circles,
she usually hits all the high places.
Yesterday she dropped Frank Jordan
out Of the race for the republican NOM
ination for secretary of state and Char
lie Curry out Of the hunt for the re-
publication nomination for governor.
According 10 the story current, Jordan
had received the tip that Curry was
going to get out of Gilletts way and
seek denomination for secretary Of
state. Apparently a tip was all that
was necessary, for the story concluded
with glowing descriptions of the ear
nest efforts Jordan was supposed to be
making for Curry. If Jordan was to
get anything more than the tip in re-
turn for his services for Curry, rumor
had it not, or in any event was silent
on that score.