Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-24
CHICAGO'S BOODLERs.
The Outlook NOW seems Disappointing to
Those Who Hoped for Good Results.


CHICAGO, March 23.-Cullerton, the
acknowledged leader of Chicago's Board
of Aldermen, was to have been eXamin-
ed by the grand jury in the Doodle in
vestigation to-day. He was kept on the
waiting bench two hours and then told
to come tomorrow. No further indict-
ments were returned to-day. The con-
tinued and accountable absence OF Sec
retary Soule, of the Jefferson Electric
Road, and President Billings, OF the
Gas trust, seems to be serving as a de-
cided hamper to the prosecution.
The political aspect of the matter is
also attracting attention and operating
apparently more or less as drawback.
The nearness OF the aldermanic cleo
tion, and the fact that all of the indict-
ed men are of one party Is harped upon.
Speculation is also INDUCED as to the
effect the sensation is having upon
States Attorney Longenecker's chances
in the gubernatorial canvass now at its
height. Altogether the outlook to-
night seemed disappointing. There are
indications that Alderman Roth, the
chief witness for the prosecution, thus
far, is not the staunch reformer that
his statement for the press would cause
it to appear.
A painful impression has been caused
in addition by the admission on the
part OF the States Attorney, that the
woman witness and two others, whose
names were appended to the indictments
are myths, though this Is Offset more or
less by his knowledge that the ruse re-
suited in several false moves by the
suspects, thus affording promising clues
TO the prosecution.
The reason for dismissing Cullerton is
not known but it was stated in eXplana-
tion that slime was not yet ripe" for
his appearance. Six witnesses were be-
fore the grand jury during the day and
by the admission OF the States Attorney,
nothing OF Importance was CLEANED.
Adolph Loeb, President Of the Chi
cago Illuminating Company, was the
first witness, and said so far as his
knowledge went there was no truth in
the rumor that $4,000 had been de-
manded of the company for the passage
OF their ordinance. Mr.. Loeb was cor
roborated by Gustav Greenbaum, secre-
tary OF the company. Both gentlemen
further stated that the company had
not used money in an illegitimate way,
and that no member of the company
had been approached by an Alderman.
Mr.. Thompson, one of the original di-
rectors of the Jefferson and Urban Co.,
who wrote the States Attorney, stating
| that L. C. Soule could give valuable in
formation, was next put upon the stand,
k.,e kn ha uvif
Hearsay evidence only was adduced.
Alexander II. Peters, right-of-way
man for the Northern Pacific railroad,
denied all knowledge of money being
used TO secure the passage OF their or
dinance. All expenditures he knew of
were for legitimate purposes.
Ex-Alderman Kowalski explained AL
derman Kunz's connection with the real
estate firm of ]. Kowalski & Co. Al
derman Conway was the last witness Of
the day. He gave his evidence as to
Council transactions and denied all
knowledge OF Doodle.
At the close OF the days proceedings
| the States A .torney volunteered to say:
"After Kunz gave his testimony" said
he. AZ was in doubt of being able TO convict
/ of bribery. kunz maintained that he was
not bribed, and if so, where did the bribery
| come in. The conspiracy to commit bribery,
however, was plainly shown, hence the con-
spiracy Indictment
"Will any indictments be retured for
| briberyl'
"Oh. yes. We will indict some Of them
| for bribery, and then possibly have them
both ways. 1t is likely that before many
DAYS testimony will be given TO the jury
which will tend to implicate some we'll
known attorney in the doodle transactions"