CRIME IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8296, 27 November 1906, Page 5

CRIME IN SAN FRANCISCO.

A COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

A cablegram, published yesterday morning, stated that Sau was full of desperadoes engaged in robbery and murder, and that during the night time tbe hotels have to provide armed guards for their customers. That crime has boen rampant will be soen from the following headings taken at random from a San Francisco paper:— "Young girl hold uo by two high* wayrnen. Two man seize Miss Helen Salzig and tear purse from her boldly. She is left fainting on the* street. Bandits after trying to wrest tbe rings from her ringers become frightened. "Over G.OOU revolvers bought in San Francisco in one day—so says P. B. Bekoar, leading jobber—He sold 6,000 on Ootobar 9tn—He has sold 19,000 revolvers sinoe last April. "Aufcomobilist beaten and robbed by masked footpads—Desperate encounter with Thugs in Guidon Gate Park—Highwaymen beat citizen until senseless and rob him of 250 dollars." "Reign of protected crime oompels citizens to organise for publio safety—Merohants begin a campaign against outlawry." "Safe deposit vaults of this city beoomo congested—Men and women hastening with valuables to places of safety—This said to be due to the general lawlessness and inefficiency of the police force." "Outlawry o)ust cease, declare property owners Arrangements completed for the organisation of a committee of publio safety." "Three bandits stop fin express wagon —With pistols demand money,, compelling driver to •;hrow up his hands." "Increased reward for the Gas-Pipe Thugs." "San Franoisjjo women aroused by crimes—Sooiety leaders demand that the street robberies.be ended —Mothers of San Francisco declare the police force is inefficient.

TBE FORCES AT WORK. "For nearly five years," says the Argonaut, "San Frauoisco übb been almost entirely ruled by a G vernment of organised Labanr. For the ilret few years a certain number of the municipal officers were either Republican or Detuocrafco. But in November, 1905, the candidates of tbe organised labour ticket succeeded in defeating <;he fusion Republican and Democratic ticke*. As a result tbe entire Labour Union ticket was elected from top ro toe. Thereafter there could bo do doubt as to where lay the responsibility for San Francisco's government. It lay at the door of labour. From Mayer dowa to poundkeeper there is not a municipal official -in San Francisco who is not either an elective or appointive representative of Government by Organised Labour. The Mayor, the Board ». f Supervisors, the Board of Publio Works, the Police Commissioners, the Fire Commissoners, tbe Election OommJssouers tbe Board of Education—infshort, every one of the city and county officials are representative of the Labour Union ticket. :,'« "At the bead of this ticket was Mayor Sohmitz,. whom we believe to be the best of the bunch, a wellmeaning man, but one wiio has been unable to cope with the foulness and pileoesa of such a Government. So phenomenally corrupt and inefficient ha 9 proved to be this Government, particularly when confronted with the problems presanted by earthquake and fires—that Mayor Sohmitz has gone off on a vacation. He has fled in dismay before the situation. And in our opinion he was wise. We do not think that any honest and well-meaning man—and such wo believe Mayoi Suhoiltz t» be—can cope with the problems presented to the Government of Sao Franciso by the present situation, when there stand behind him such a set of men as have been elected," A CALL TO THE CITIZENS, As the result of recent revelations it was decided to organise a Reform Committee, and the following call was issued to the oitizens:— "San Franciso, October 9tb, 1906: —To the citizens of San Frauoisoo: Every one at present is extremely busy and has his own problems to work out. Tbe time for action its the best interests of our oifcy has ooine. Are you wilhug to consider that th»Be interests require that you devote enough of- your' time to attend the meeting at Assembly Hall of the California Promotion Committee, Union Square, Saturday, at 3 p.m., and there participate and •consider what is the beat for the general good of the community? If you have the future welfaca. of this city at heart you will attend. "San Franoisoo Das many organisations devoted to the general good of the community, its oommeroe, trade development and improvements generally. The time hae T now come for united action by wbioh all such organisations will participate in the formation of a oomraHtee of public safety wbioh shall deal with matters concerning the publio good from the standpoint of intelligence, wisdom and determination to do right. All elements that do not stand for the best, in-, terests of our oity and Siate must be eradicated and destroyed by th& united aotion of our people. Protection must be vouchsafed to the oitizens of this oity, and as an army of employees will be necessary for the future rehabilitaUon'of our oity, if said employees come here from other sections, their interests must be safeguarded and protected. Common sense will diotate to all citizens, whether members of labour organisations business or - civic organisations, that they must uni'o for the common good. "All citizens that have the good and welfare nf this city and State at hand are invited to attend this meeting to formulate plans to carry into effeot the said oommitteo of safety." The outcome of tbe meeting was the formation of a strong committee. ,