The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-19

not been we'll coached as to what he should
tell if called by the Commissioners. 1t is
learned that those who know more of the
contract business than the majority have
taken to the brush, where they will remain
until the investigation here is over.
The warning of the Japanese coolies be-
gan last week, when one or two Japanese
clearinghouse keepers in San Francisco
came to Vavaville and told the local con-
tractors to be careful what they said if the
Commissioners came this way.
An interesting incident showing their
watchfulness occurred yesterday. In the
afternoon the town Japanese in some way
learned that Inspector Geffcney was going
to summon Nichiuchi, who brought
twenty coolies from Japan to the Vaca
Valley orchards a month ago. This fell
low works on Henry Drinks ranch, seven
miles from town. Takatsuka, a recent
arrival en- the steamer Belgic, Mendi, the
Japanese hotelkeeper, and Tamaka, a
contractor in the Sacramento Valley,
Immediately got teams and fastened up
the valley by different roads to warn
Nichiuchi. 1t was lively race, but In
spector Geffeney, who was accompanied
by John Gedge, got to the ranch first.
The foreman of the place stated that the
man who was wanted had gone to Sacra-
mento. Geffeney stated that if Nichiuchi
was not produced he would take the
whole Japanese crew to town to testify.
In few minutes the fellow was found in
an orchard. He was hardly seated i'll the
carriage before the town Japanese in carts
dashed up.
All the interest in to-day's proceedings
centered around this contractor Nichi-
uchi. To prevent the contractor from
escaping during the night he was locked
up in a room in the Vaca Valley Hotel.
On the stand Nichiuchi denied that he
had brought coolies from Japan under
contract on his recent trip, but he con-
tradicted himself in pitiful manner, for
he realized as well as the Commissioners
that he was keeping as far away from
the truth as he possibly could.
In order to prove the falsity OF Nichi-
uchi's story the Commissioners called in
X. Mendi, the boarding house keeper in
this place, where Nichiuchi stayed when
he returned from Japan. Mendi said that
Nichiuchi brought eleven Japs to his house.
Fifty Japanese arrived on the day that
Nichiuchi came in. On the following day
Nichiuchi went to Winters and found work
for three of the men. Eventually he
worked off all the others.
T. Nichida, the boss on Drinks ranch
where Nichiuchi works. testified that he
had known the other Jap since the latter s
childhood instead of only two years as the
contractor had testified. For half an hour
;nh 10 ha fria nf &c
youth to be perjurer, while the perspira-
ton poured in streams down the culprit s
face as Nichiuchi sat near by and heard all
the boss testimony. Several times he
tried to say something to the witness, but
was prevented by Inspector Geffeney.
The Commissioners and their deputies
held long debate as to what should be
done with Nichiuchi Commissioner Fitz-
gerald said that the case had reached that
stage when it was out of the control of a
State officer, except on the charge of per
jury. immigration Commissioner Strad-
ley defined his position by saying that,
while he was certain that the japanese had
been guilty of bringing coolies to this
State from Japan, it would be very diff
cult thing to prove and he would not like
to go before the courts with case that
was so faulty as to actual proofs. The de-
cision was that it is better to let the matter
stand for time and not run the risk OF
making an arrest that was not sure to be
| followed by a conviction.
Several other Japs were examined in
generalities, but as usual, each denied any
knowledge of breaking.
Then the Commissioners Adjourned and
returned to the bay.