The San Francisco call., 1910-05-01
Mayor Declines to Appoint Com
missioner Until He Returns
From the East
SECRETARY TO WATCH
McCARTHY'S INTERESTS
W. E. 0'COnneII to Act as Presi-
dent of Police Board for
Time Being
ABBOTT IS RELEASED
FROM MARIN PRISON

Following lengthy conference with
the three remaining members of the
board OF police commissioners yester-
day sfterRoon, Mayor P. H. Mccarthy
determined to postpone the matter Of
an appointment Of a successor TO Harry
P. FlsnHery until after his return to
the CITY from washington.
IN lfeu OF an appointment TO com
pIete the membership of the board it
was determined that in the absence of
the chief executive his private secre-
tary. Elmore - Leflingwell, would at
tend the meetings Of the commission
and sit with the body as the personal
representative Of the mayor although
the duties Of the presidency would de-
olive. upon ". Z. OrConnell
The Submission Of his resignation by
Fiannery as president of the commits
son at O'Clock yesterday morning, as
. published exclusively in The Call. gave
rise 10 a situation which IT was thought
would require an immediate appoint
-rnent of a successor. The question was
tskeli- up at conference to which the
ma vor. had summoned Commissioners
Percy Henderson, Isaac Spire and ".
p r. O'connem The meeting was held in
the ma yorss- Office in the Croeker build
ing yesterday afternoon and lasted for
more than. three hours.
Mayor to Consider
after a consultation OF the cfarter.
'ir mas found that there was no neces-
sity for an immediate appointment, and
the. mayor. at once determined to hold
the matter Of hIling such an important
once in abeyanee until he should have
had more time to consider the quail
hcations Of possible appointees.
DuriRg' the conference the mayor
went Into the different questions which
have arisen recently in connection with
the police commission and clearly stat
ed his views, which he insisted should
be adhered 10 during his absence from
the city. II was then that the deter
unination 10 have BefingwelI attend the
meetings Of the commission although.
not a member Of the body was an
nounced. It was also understood that
O'Connell would temporarily assume
the duties performed by the president.
The mayor yesterday refused to give
The slightest hint Of the identity OF the
man whom he has in mind to iii the
position in the municipal government
made vacant by the resignation of
Flannery. To All questions regarding
the matter he replied that he had not
had adequate time TO consider such an
- important matter and that he did not
intend to make an appointment until
after ? thorough review Of the quail
hcations Of the appointtee.
Causes Surprise
The news Of Flannery's determination
voluntarily to resign his off1ce because
OF his Indictment by the Marin county
grand jury on a charge of completely
with the Ssusalito swindlers caused the
greatest surprise, as it was the general
impression that the commissioner would
bitterly contest any action to remove
him His letter Of resignation to the
mayor. however, expressed an unwil-
ingness TO embarrass the municipal ad-
H1inistration and contempt of his
sccusers-
Although the mayor accepted F'lan-
nery,s resignation informally at 2
o'clock yesterday morning his action
did not become matter Of record
until yesterday afternoon, when the
city's chief executive addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the commissioner:
April 80. 1910
Mr.. H p. Flannery; 2I21 Devfsa-
dero Street, City-Dear Sir: am
in receipt Of your resignation as a
member Of the board of police com
missioners. OF the city and county of
san Francisco and have the honor
TO inform you that the same is
herewith accepted
In thus accepting your resigna-
tiOn / wish to express my apPrecia-
tion sof the spirit in which YOU
withdraw at this time from a po-
sition 70 which 1 appointed you be-
cause Of your high standing in
this community, your unquestoned
integrity and your pronounced abil-
ity in the mercantile world.
II Is with profound regret that
note the attack that has been
made upon you by your accusers,
and ] entertain the hope that in
the very near future you Will be
able TO vindicste your good name
and convince the public mind that
you are wrongfulIy accused.
Thanking you for the sentiment
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