The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-10

Several of the gentlemen who signed the
agreement apportioning the proposed fran
chise among themselves and others adj
mitted that they had seen the name OF Fee
han in the agreement, others stated that
they had heard Mr.. Feehan spoken of,
but only by Mr. Williams and some had
not noticed the name of Feehan in the
agreement nor even heard of him. But
not one of the men who were interested
in securing the franchise would acknowl-
edge that he knew who Mr. Feehan was,
where he could be found. or had met him.
In fact the investigation thus far made
goes to show that Feehan is purely
chimerical parsonage, created only in
name and to serve special purpose.
A. E. Williams is the only man who will
acknowledge that Feehan is in reality
myth, and in this connection has made
some most astounding assertions, which
are scarcely credible.
His extraordinary tale was told in detail
exclusively in last Sundays CALL. He
alleged that he has endeavored to secure
a franchise for the establishment and
maintenance of a garbage crematory in
this City; that in order to induce
the Board of Supervisors to advertise
the franchise, as required by law, he
had sought the aid of General John
H. Dickinson; that General Dickinson had
promised to use his influence with the
Solid Eight in the matter; that he had
agreed to give General Dickinson a one
tenth interest in the franchise in return
for his services; that this one-tenth interest
was duly assigned to General Dickinson in
the apportionment agreement entered into
by the gentlemen interested in the pro-
ject; that the assignment of General Dick
insons interest was made to James d. Fee
han, dummy and imaginary person,
utilized simply for this purpose, and that
the attorney had failed to carry out his
part of the understanding, but had en-
deavored to secure the franchise for other
persons.
An endeavor had been made to see
General Dickinson on Saturday, but he
had left town to go on a duck-hunting ex-
petition. He returned yesterday and
when asked what he had to say In refer
ence to Williams incredible story made
the following statement:
met Williams once in connection with that
franchise matter. He came here 10 my office
with Theodore Reichert to talk about the
proposition. Reichert is a great friend of
mine and was present during the talk. Reich
ert had talked to me about Williams and his
scheme previously. We talked generally about
the garbage crematory business and they
wanted me TO take some interest in it or get
some of my friends to do so. This subject 1
don't know anything about and, besides, l
have my own business to attend TO, and there
fore took little interest in the matter.
This was a long time ago-about year ago.
The Minnie WlllldmS case star teQ IN Aprll ana
this was long time before that; it was before
l had any knowledge about the Board OF Su-
perviSors.
So far as my promising to use my influence
with the board is concerned that is simply
ridiculous.
don't know anything about any 10 pc: cent
proposition, such as is mentioned by Williams.
l don't know anything about Feehan. l
never heard of him nor saw such person.
In the matter of the bid made by those who
competed for the franchise with Williams, 1
only drafted the bid for the other side. This
was done for client of mine. If l had been
engaged in any sucn scheme rs suggested by
Williams, would certainly not have done this.
This client of mine asked me about that and
remember looking at the law in order to draft
correctly the letter constituting the bid.
do not know who the people are who were
interested with my client The capitalists in
these transactions never come to the front
themselves in making the application for a
franchise.
I can ascribe no motive for Mr.. Williams
action, except that he is dspleased at the
action of the board. l may add that my client
has since drawn down his check and aban-
doned the scheme.
From General Dickinson's remarks at this
iuncture regarding the franchise matter
the impression was gained that Williams
other bid had been Withdrawn, leaving
Williams the sole bidder. Continuing, he
said:
l had nothing whatever to do with this
franchise, either in trying to get it for either
Williams or Lang or in preventing Williams to
get 1t. In fact, 1t was matter in which no
influence could have availed, as the law re-
quires the board to award it to the highest
bidder. Two bids Were put in, and II his was
the higher it was the duty of the board to give
it to him or throw it out for legal reasons
"Did you ever have any talk with F. A.
Hyde on the subject?" was asked.
''Never. so far as can remember"
"Did you ever remark to him that you had
been accused Of being interested in the Lang
az don't think it was ever the subject of
conversation with Hyde" He then reverted
to the alleged proposition made to him by
Williams, saying: Williams never made a
proposition to me with reference to his
franchise. If he had made such a proposition
and had accepted it 1 would certainly have
used my influence with the board, providing,
of course, had any. l know am credited
with it, but that comes from the unfortunate
fact that happen to know some of them and
have been On intimate terms with them.
With Supervisor Hughes 1 have been init
mate for wears in connection with militia af-
fairs. and have done his legal business for
years, and our families maintain the most in
innate relations.
have also known Mr.. Benjamin for a long
time, and have attended TO legal matters for
him from time to time.
bunker too, is an old friend. His brother
was a member of one of the military COM
panies OF which / had command, and so was
he himself, 1 believe.
Adolph Spreckels have known for years.
When / was president OF the Pacific Yacht
Club he was the commodore, and John D.
Spreckels also served a term as commodore in
the club while was president.
Colonel Taylor was a membe OF the veterans
of the National Guard, and have known him
for fifteen years, and either preceded or sue
ceeded him as commander of that body, don't
know which.
The other Supervisors ] have known cas-
ually, but with those have mentioned have
been more intimate. In fact, l may say am
well known in this City, having been con-
nected with the militia, politics and public
affairs generally for many years, and also have
wide circle of friends ana acquaintance in
consequence. 1 don't think il is any offense to
know people.
do you care to say anything with refer
ence to the poolroom investigation now
going on before the Grand Jury, and in
which connection your name has been
mentioned?"
THAT is simply matter of attorney and
client; that is all there is to it. | have
known both Schwartz and Kingsley for
many years and have attended to other
legal matters for them"
F. A. Hyde, ex-president of the Board of
Education, gave the following brief history
of his connection with Williams garbage
crematory franchise:
A few days before bids were presented for
the garbage franchise Mr.. Williams asked me
if 10 m, tak a I'M in