The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-27

as mot sustained for lack OF evidence. y
The defendants appeared-with Attorney
Treadwel, who was not permitted to adj
dress the commission, because the rules
prohibited such procedure. Tre caldwell
advised his clients, however, in their
cross-examination of witnesses. Com
missioners Bohen, Boyd, Edwards and
Marshall were present.
Buchanan asked for a separate trial,
which was accorded him. He pleaded not
guilty ana seemed righteously indignant
over the whole thing, which he claimed
was the result of his action in reporting
the engineer for neglect of duty.
Julius Cain, driver of engine, testified
that he was at his post during the fire,
when Holmes came to him with a pair of
pantaloons and vest and asked TO be allowed
to leave them on the seat. Cain did not
object and soon after, SO he said, Holmes
appeared again with more clothing, and
they were put in a cellar entrance close by.
When the company returned to the en-
CINE house the clothes were left there.
In reply to q question from Chief Sulli-
van Cain said II refused to take the last
lot Of clothes on the engine from Cronan,
and ne replied, Mr. Buchanan told me to
take them to saloon on First street,"
In cross-examination Buchanan asked !:
'Dlu you see NE dt Ille wagon With the
clothes were there ?'
"No."
Ibid you see me at any time in an argu-
ment about the clothes?
eyes, sir; when the men were talking
at the engine-house."
"Did put anything aboard the wagon"
mo, sir"
District Engineer John McClusky, who
examined the witnesses, asked if Cain had
p !, FL, lotL,
II saw Mr.. Buchanan with pair of
pants in his hands at the engine-house.
William Kennedy, engineer of engine,
testified that during the progress of the
fire he saw the extramen, Holmes and
Cronan, coming to the wagon with clothes.
Buchanan went to the wagon later and
said to Holmes: why didn't you take
them to where l told you-the saloon on
First street?' Continuing, Kennedy
stated that Cronan got an emf PITY coal-sack
and put the clothes into it in cellarway
on Market street. near Front.
Buchanan brought out the fact that the
charges against him had not been made
until after he had reported Kennedy for
neglect OF duty, but the witness added he
had intended to make the charges.
''Do you know that any clothes were
stolen from Hoffman d Alexander?n Blu
chanan asked.
Yes" replied Kennedy. II don't know
that you took any, but saw pair OF pants
from the fire in your hands in the engine
house."
Stoker Bryan of engine swore that he
saw sack of clothes in the engine-house
after the Battery-street fire, but he did not
see them taken In there or carried away by
anybody.
Richard Driscoll, hoseman, testified that
he saw the pantaloons in question in Bu-
chanan's saloon after the firemen had re-
turned. Driscoll had lost his trousers and
Buchanan asked if the stolen pair were
his. Other witnesses, members of the
company, were called for the defense, and
they testified that they had not seen Blu
chanan take any clothing.
Buchanan himself explained under oath
that he saw one of the men with bag
containing clothes, and that it contained a
coat belonging to the stoker He had
heard that Driscoll had lost pair of panta-
looms, and he inquired if the stolen gar
ment belonged to him. The charges were
not sustained.
The engineer was called to testify against
Holmes. He stated that Holmes had car
ried clothes from the burning building to
the engine under an overcoat, and wanted