The San Francisco call., 1895-11-15
MORE OLD F|ENDS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT.

of affairs can exist with children uncared
for. Then we want to lend moral support
to the courts and officers of the law, and
that counts for good deal in lighting rich
men. Surely, if there ever was time for
women to exert their moral influence 1t IS
now. Then we want to start work IN
that part of the City that will do some
thing to purify the morals not only of the
children, but also of the parents"
One of the most important features of
the case is that two of the men are rich.
At the very first there appeared the re-
port and belief that money would be used
in the case and that it might be hard to
secure a conviction of Lane and Meyers.
The evidence against them is the stories of
the eight little girls arrested on charges of
vagrancy, and who were yesterday taken
from the Receiving Hospital to the safer
seclusion of the Bows and Girls Aid
Society. These girls when arrested told
their stories innocently, readily and with
hardly any apparent sense OF shame.
Their stories were minutely clrcumstan-
tial and agreed to the mlnutest particulars
Then little girls from 10 to IA years of
age could not tell such stories from any
thing but personal experience. The girls
all told what they knew of the men and
of other girls, and each sought to shield
herself in childish fashion.
General McComb, secretary of the So
cl6lN IOT the 1T6NeIIlOH Ol SIuSlGS 10 Nnl1-
dren, Officers Holbrook and MCMurray OF
that society, Policeman Rourke who dis
covered the first definite evidence, and
Mrs. French all consider the testimony of
the girls as it has been given as reliable
and effective beyond all doubt and Ques-
ton.
But it is feared that the girls will not tell
the same stories on the stand. Money is
already closing the mouths of parents and
some of the children who are not under
arrest, and Lane and Meyers will make 8
hard fight.
Lane is out on bail and Meyers expected
to get out on bail last night, but didn't.
Ratz is impassive and expects to go to San
Quentin. Ratz has no money and so his
conviction will be easy. The community
may soon see what a difference money may
make, even in such case.
Captain Peter f. Lane and Leon K.
Meyer appeared again in Judge Camp
bells court yesterday and were arraigned
on the second charge preferred against
them. They pleaded not guilty and their
preliminary examination was fixed for
this morning, when Ratz will also appear.
1t is doubtful if the examination Will go
on to-day. Attorney Mack, who repre-
sents Meyers and Ratz will ask for a fur
ther continuance and says if necessary he
will file an affidavit with the court pro-
testing against the cases going on to-day
as he requires more time to prepare his
defense.
Captain Lane has, the police say, not
been idle since he was admitted to bail on
Wednesday evening. Policeman Rourke
and Officer McMurray, who are working
on the case, said last night that they saw
him enter several of the homes of the
girls who will testify against him yester-
day, and they have strong reasons for be-
lieving that it was not for the benefit of
the prosecution.
They arrested another girl II years Of
age last night and were searching for
Judge Campbell to get an order from HIM
for the arrest of two other girls who will
be important witnesses against Captain
Lane, but who are being kept out of the
way by their parents.
The officers did not care to run the risk
OF entering private houses without the
necessary warrant. They find that there
is disposition now on the part of other
girls who talked freely at first to be SILENT
and this is hampering them in their work.
They are satisfied that influence has been
brought TO bear upon their patrents.
The continued investigation of Policemen
Rourke and McMurray led to the arrest
last night of James Hinshaw of Hlnck-
ley place. He is supposed to be mem ber
of the same gang, and will be booked on
the same charge as that on which Lane
and the others are held. Hinshaw is 45
years of age, and a warehouseman by oc-
cupation.