The San Francisco call., 1896-04-25
MRS, MARTIN INDICTED
Grand Jury Holds That the
Killing of Her Husband
Was Murder.
DR.. Stable of the Hospital and Con.
tractor Greenebaum Visit
the Jury.

The Grand Jury met yesterday after
noon and indicted Susan B. Martin for the
murder of her husband, John F. Martin,
on March 80 last. L he witnesses examined
by the jury were DIR. ]. j. Fitzgibbon,
Minnie Lee, Fred Frey and Eta Nc
Dermott
number OF witnesses, directed by Law
yer e. Z. Cole. told the Grand Jury about
the killing of Mars, who was beaten so
badly during the recent strike of lathers,
that he died from the effects of the in
juries inflicted upon him. The witnesses
in this case held that the Police Courts
and the newspapers stood in so much awe
of the power of trades unions that strikers
might kill a man and beat others almost
to death without fear of punishment or
public protest.
Another case, growing out of the strike
was heard by the jury. No indictment in
either investigation was found yesterday.
1t was ascertained that the jury cannot
get direct testimony regarding the assault
on Mars. From the stories told it ap-
peared that the victim was veteran
soldier worthy workman and a nom
union man. 1t was demanded of him
that he should quit his job, which he re-
fused to do as he had family to support.
When he so refused he was assaulted by
ruffians and beaten so badly that he died.
The witnesses did not testify that he was
assaulted by union men. In fact the tes-
timony did not clearly state who the as
sailants were. In Judge Lows court one
of the gang was held for manslaughter.
AT the time OF the assault the facts were
published. The Grand Jury will thoroughly
Investigate the matter.
DR.. Stable, superintendent of the CITY
and County Hospital does not like the
unceremonious manner in which the
Grand Jury visited his institution some
days ago, and he is not at all pleased with
the style and freedom with which THE
CALL has commented on the visit. He
courteously sought to enlighten the men,
bers of the Grand Jury Yesterday in regard
to supplies, prices and incidents connected
with the management of the hospital but
the jury manifesting indifference to the
degree discourtesy, kept him waiting until
4 o'clock. DR.. Stable could not remain
longer, and so had 20 go without the op-
portunity of presenting his own side of the
case.
DIR. Stable explained to CALL reporter
that the average attendance OF patients at
the hospital was $50 and the per capita for
their maintenance about the lowest in the
United States. The allowance of money
for the support OF the institution was not
sufficient. Many articles on the schedule
supplied by contractors cost more this
year than last. For example, last year
beef cost 81 81; this year it is $6 IS. Last
year soft coal was supplied at S. 40 per
ton; now the charge is 81 "a per ton for
hard coal.
Another thing that riles the superin-
tendent is the refusal of Supervisor King
to sign requisitions for butter and eggs.
Klrshman Il Co have contract to supply
eggs at 2016 cents dozen, and Mau, Sadler
| & Co. have the contract to furnish butter
at 151a cents a pound. King, it is said,
gives no reason for refusing to sign the
reuuisition, but is always ready to send to
the hospital full delegation from the
First Ward.
About the training school for nurses DR..
Stable says it was established four years
ago. Some ten or twelve are on the pay
roll as attendants at $40 month. while
ten are in the probation class without pay.
Complaint is made that knowledge of
the Grand Jury's visit was conveyed in
advance TO Weaver of the Alnfshouse and
concealed from Superintendent Stable of
the hospital. Again, it is said of Comnlo-
dore O'Connor OF the jury that he refused
to do more than look in at the door of the
engine-room and utterly refused to inspect
the laundry.
The Pacific Marine Supply Company has
the contract for supplying the hospital
and Almshous with sugar. Mr.. Greene
baum. representing that company, visited
the Grand Jury yesterday and brought
forth from his overcoat pocket a sample of
the sugar supplied. 1t was explained that
the allowance for sugar is light, and that
the steward of the hospital, Mr.. Robert
son, wanted grade con tanning the great
est strength in sweetness. The grade is
known as ar-house." 1t is an unre-
fined sugar, said to contain marvellous
amount of saccharine matter, wholly free
from rice, starch and other foreign sub.
stances. Mr.. Robertson, an old caterer of
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Sc
| lected this particular grade of brown sugar
on account of it's far-reaching capacity to
| impart sweetness to coffee and tea.
DR.. Stable explained that sugar darkens
in contact with moisture, and that the
| liquid from spoons made the sugar in the
bowls black. When the Grand Jury saw
| the sugar it was black.
Commodore O'Connor AYERS that it is no
secret-not even Grand Jury secret-that
| the sugar was black and unfit for human
use. Moreover, he resents the imputation
| that he refused to inspect the laundry at
the hospital.
Mr.. Greenebaum AYERS that he is willing
to supply the same sugar to the hospital