The San Francisco call., 1913-07-22
Why Was Jones Transferred?

evolved another police department mystery.
After a service of three weeks Corporal Jones
has been relieved of command of the Chinatown
squad. The usual tour of service for the corporal
commanding in Chinatown is three months.
Corporal Jones entered upon the discharge of
his duties in Chinatown with energy akin to
that which marked the service of Corporal Golf,
whose relief from the detail after three months was
indeed grateful measure of relief for the Chinese
gamblers.
But Jones lasted only three weeks He was
relieved in time to prevent him from concluding
some exceedingly interesting, if unprecedented, in
vestgations designed TO embarrass the operations
of the wiley Chinese gamblers
Unhappy as most of his efforts have been, Chief
White has habitually offered something by way of
explanation for his acts and his failures to act No
explanation accompanied the chiefs order relieving
Corporal Jones from the Chinatown detail.
It may be assumed that Chief White had rea-
son for issuing his surprising and unprecedented
order. He has given the public no reason. Cor
poral Jones says he does not know why he was re-
lieved.
Both the public and Corporal Jones are entitled
to know what caused the removal of Corporal
Jones from Chinatown
w dS ne renewed 1OT any QereICtfOn or MS sworn
duty?
If SO, his transfer to another detail is not suf-
hcient punishment He should be broug&t to rial
before the commission on the formal complaint of
Chief White and dismissed from the service.
Was he summary relieved because the chief
found him indifferent to the Importance of his
work and the necessity of enforcing the law. in
Chinatown
If SO he should be brought to trial on the formal
complaint of the chief and punished by the com
mission
Was he relieved on the complaint of some fa-.
vored gambler or the owner of property enjoying
unusual profits from the illicit use of his property
and who had to fear the results of Corporal
Jones energy and originality?
If so the public is entitled to know how an out
law influence can be exercised to control the as
signnent of policemen to duty. If Corporal Jones
was taken out of Chinatown because he was aiding
In the commission of crime Chief White has no
right to keep him IN the department.
If he was taken out of Chinatown because he
had demonstrated his ability and his determination
to suppress crime then the stigma inevitably con
sequent upon his removal belongs the shoulders
of Chief White, not Corporal Jones
Chief White and Corporal Jones are both en-
poyes OF the people of San Francisco. They
wear the livery of the people. 1t is an honorable
livery. The people are entitled to the unswervins
Loyalty Of the who wear it. The wearers are
entitled toSthe protection and the support Of the
public just as long they wear it honorably
If Corporal Jones has dishonored his uniform.
if is Chief Whites duty to see that it is stripped
from him. If he has done no wrong it is the duty
of the police commission and of every honest citi-
zen TO protect him against the reproach involved
an the extraordinary order issued by Chief White
ss hespnbicSis entitled to an explanation 1t is
Ithe duty OF thespoce commission to get that expla-
nation. And the public expects the commission to
perform its duty