The San Francisco call., 1909-01-02
Chief of Police Names New Cap
tain of Detectives as New
Years Gift
Change Places Popular Man
With Good Record at
Head of Bureau
Denoted Official Was Failure
and Was Rated as Over
bearing AutOcrat

sente6 10 the citizens a week
ago BY the police commission
as a Christmas gift, and yes
terdsy Chief Cook presented Captain
Nsrcellus o. Anderson to the citi-
zens as a New Years gift, TO take
charge OF the detective branch OF the
department.. in succession TO Captain
James Kelly. who was assigned to the
command Of Company T. park dis
trict
The appointment Of Captain Ander-
son as head OF the detective force was
entirely unexpected by him. and he ex-
pressed himself as not enamored Of the
sob. But" he said, 7 win obey or
ders and VIII do my duty to the best
% my ability. That is all I can say.
what the future may bring forth re-
mains TO be seen.p
when told that he had the entire
confidence of Chief Cook he said: 4
know that and that is all the more
reason why ] shall do everything in
sny power to merit the confidence he
hes reposed in me"
For Good of Department
chief Cook said that he had made
the change simply for the good Of the
department and he believed that in ap-
pointing Captain Anderson he had not
: made any mistake. as he had the full
est confidence in his ability and prob
ity. The change was to take place i'm
mediately; but, as Captain Anderson
lad asked leave Of absence for yester-
Gay 10 think over his new position,
Detective serg-at Thomas / Ryan
vas placed in charge OF the detective
r0rce for the day.
Captain Anderson received congratu-
iations with his usual modesty. He is
q native OF Virginia, and prior to join
ing the department. September 20, 1881,
he was ? miner. he was made a ser
Eeant December i, 1895, lieutenant
april 4. 1888, and captain June. ]. 1902
Fse was born March %, 1853. He has an
uublemished record in the department.
when he was transferred from the
Mission district. which he had COM
msnded from the time he was made
csptains 10 the park district, some
months ago. the Mission Improvement
association passed a series of resolu-
uons highly complimenting him on his
conduct while in command OF that dis
trict and expressing sincere regret at
his departure.
Did Splendid Service
He was acting chief during the Labor
day troubles in 1907 and following
days. and did splendid service-so much
80 that il was generally understood
thss he could have received the once
% chief II private reasons had not in
terfercd. His name was also promi-
nently mentioned as chief prior 10 the
appointment OF Chief Cook. He is the
senior captain in point Of service
\ Captain Kelly was constantly at war
,'rith attorneys and their clients and
Citizens generally who had occasion TO
consult him. He was autocrstic and
overbearing, and given to undue use
n the "detinue book.
AS a detective Kelly was a failure
No better instance on that score could
be found than in the case Of Morris
Haas. Tho shot Francis J. Heney. Kelly
evinced small interest in the case, and
after a few hours came to the conclu-
sion that Haas had fired the shot be-
cause had been driven crazy by Heney's
exposure OF him as an ex-convict and
that there was no other motive FOR the
shooting. lie so advised Chief Biggy.
and it was upon his advice that Buggy
next morning issued a statement TO
that effect for publication. Biggy al
ways accepted Kelly's advice.
Kelly had other weaknesses that un-
fitted him for the position. Biggy was
aware OF these weaknesses but con-
doned them. It was well known that
Biggv's dependence upon Kelly gave
rise 10 unjust suspicious and made enc
mics for the late chief when he might
have had friends