The San Francisco call., 1895-12-13
Grand Jury and Four Supervis-
ors Talked of SuppresSlng
Vice.
ONE WITNESS WAS OBSTINATE.
Supervisor Hughes Declined to Say
How He Would Vote on the
Pool Ordinance.

Supervisors King, Benjamin, bunker and
Hughes went before the Grand Jury yes
terday afternoon. Supervisors Scully and
Hirsch became weary of waiting and went
downtown. Supervisor Wagner was not
in the City yesterday.
Through some inadvertence in the Dis
trict Attorneys office Supervisor Dimond,
who was heard some time ago and whose
presence was not the second time re-
ouested, was served with subpoena yes
terday and he obeyed the summons. He
broke away from the ompanionship OF
agreeable company at Ingleside, and so
lost the pleasure of an engagement which
promised to lead to a superb dinner IN
order to present himself as witness.
The first OF the four Supervisors called
was Joseph King. He announced himself
in the anteroom and in the room where
the members of the jury assemble as op-
posed to gambling IN all Its phases,
whether in town or out on the racetrack.
Supervisor Benjamin, speaking for him.
self after his testimony had been given,
said the members of the jury asked him
several questions as to his views on the
ing of the poolrooms in particular. He
said they did not ask him about Doodle or
anything of that kind.
Supervisor bunker was the third wit
ness called in. When he came out he said
in reply to inquiries that no questions
were asked him concerning the Langdon
permit and the payment OF S125 IN the pro-
ceedings. He was asked the general ques-
ton if he knew of any money having been
raised TO influence or corrupt the Board OF
Supervisors, and to all inquiries of this
character he replied in the negative.
The Grand Jury recognized IN Mr.. Dun
ker's manner and appearance that he was
distressed by the gravity of the accusa-
tions against him and therefore did not
PROFOUND direct and pointed questions
concerning the reports and testimony
which connected him with the Langdon-
Gallagher transaction.
Supervisor Hughes was the fourth and
last witness called. He told the Grand
Jury that he did not know of any mouey
having been used to corruptly influence
the Board of Supervisors. According to
Mr.. Hughes statement the members OF
the Grand Jury did not ask him any ques-
tions concerning the sum of $500 a month
contributed by booksellers to retain the
services of J. H. Dickinson.
Mr.. Hughes said: They asked me how
/ intended to vote when the ordinance rec
commended by the Grand Jury came up for
passage in the Board of Supervisors, and l
was right in refusing to answer that ques-
ton ?"
Supervisor Hughes testimony was the
tonic OF considerable comment in the
Grand Jury-room, and members discussed
it with some animation as they lett the hall.
1--WE may call him again" said one Of the
jurors.
1t is ascertained that Hughes, on being
asked how he intended to vote on the ordi-
RI
replied: Il decline to answer that ques-
ton under oath, as l may change my mind
before the subject comes up for final ac-
tion in the board.'
OF the four Supervisors called yesterday,
Hughes was surely regarded by the jury
as the ob6urate witness. He paid suf-
ficient regard to the summons, however,
to remain until after O'Clock to give his
testimony, which was more consideration
than Supervisors Scully and Hirsch paid
to the Grand Jury.
The members of the Grand jury were
not at all surprised that the Supervisors
who were called es witnesses yesterday Ge-
MED knowledge of Doodle having been
used to defeat the ordinance against down
town pool-selling. Supervisors who are
standing in with the poolroom managers
and have so far held the prohibitive order
In check are not likely to tell the Grand
Jury their methods or secrets. If they
can hoodwlnk the jury by general state
ments that they are opposed to open poker
games and favor the suppression of all
kinds of vice they cannot mislead the
people who read the proceedings in the
Board OF Supervisors and reflect that the
poolrooms and open poker games are still
running in full blast.
If agents of the Solid Eight are col
lecting toll from the gam bling houses the
Supervisors in the com binc are not going
t o make the Grand Jury acquainted with
the facts.
The charges against the management of
the Fire Department, which were pre-
sented a few days ago, are in the hands of
o. F. Wiley, chairman of the Fire De-
partment committee.
1t is asserted in the communication
that more men than the law authorizes
find employment in the department, and
that money appropriated to MAINTAIN the
service is not properly expended. The re-
port of the committees expert, Joseph
Gordon, has also Been prepared.
The Grand Jury adjourned TO meet next
Monday afternoon. AT that time Thomas
r. Ashworth, Superintendent of Streets,
will be heard. He has expressed desire
to explain some of the transactions in his
department to the members of the Grand
Jury, and they have decided to give him
fair opportunity.