The San Francisco call., 1896-07-24
KUNG CHOW'S STATEMENT
Denies That He Is Responsible
for the Murder of Lee
Tt.
Ex.Consul.General Lee Yung Yer
Ignorant as to the Cause of
the Troub e.

Lee tt, Chinese chandelier, was muir
dered while standing in the doorway of So
Waverly place few days ago. The fol-
lowing morning Ock Wah, highbinder
whose hands are crimson with the gore of
many victims, was arrested on suspicion
of being the assassin and charged with the
crime. That Lee tt is dead and 0ck Wah
is behind prison bars are undisputed facts.
but the causes which led up to the cowardly
murder remain un known.
Various theories regarding the causes of
the assassination have been advanced by
the police, but it is evident that all have
been erroneous. There is without doubt a
woman IN the case, but how or why a re-
ward of 500 has been offered for the lives
of Joe Gar and Lee Nee Toy remains un-
explained.
As was first presumed, the trouble over
the appointment of Wooey Leong man,
by the twelve directors of the Kung Chow
Association, has no connection whatever
with the murder. That appointm ent was
a trivial affair.
The directors of the Kung Chow Associa-
ton emphatically deny that the trouble in
their association was in any way response
bic for the murder of Lee Ii.
The trouble in the ranks of the Kung
Chow Association originated in the death
OF Chin Look, Wooey Loeng man.
Yung Hing, the Chinese Consul, notified
the Kung Chow Association that the
vacancy must be filled.
The twelve directors of that company
intended to select a man and then notify
the Consul as to the man appointed, that
he might approve of their selection. At
this period, however, the directors of the
Kung Chow aver Lee Nee Toy and Joe
Gar, then mem bers of the association, q b.
iaNfo0 n no fxy'c aoloafinn nd
named Leong Sam as capablel man to
I'LL the vacant position.
They wanted the directors to appoint
Leong Sam without conferring with the
Consul, but the directors needed not their
wishes. About ten days ago during an ar
gument over the appointment Lee Gong
made verbal assault on Lee Lun Yuen,
president of the Kung Chow Association.
Lee Zip Dock Immediately defended the
president and hot wordy war followed.
A few days later Lee Gong met Lee Zip
Dock on the street and assaulted him, the
former being arrested on charge of as
sault. Lee Nee Toy and Joe Gar then
signed bonds for the release of Lee Gong
and retained counsel to defend him. This
angered the directors of the Kung Chow
Association, and tine two agitators were
expelled from its ranks. A few days later
the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent As
sociation took action on the matter, and
diSO e1pel6Q Joe GdT 6uu Lee NEE 10y
The two dereliet merchants then con-
cluded TO fasten the various troubles which
have been exciting Chinatown during the
last few months at the door of the Kung
Chow Association, but without success.
The Kung CHOW has been in existence
over forty years, and has been active in
snppressing all llawlessness. and has never
once been suspected of instigating feuds
or dissatisfaction among the various tongs.
Consequently it is evident that it was in
no way connected with the crime now
only few davs old.
Lee Yung Yen. ex-Consul- General was
greatly surprised to hear that his name
had been mentioned in connection with
the present trouble. mot since turned
the office over to my successor. which is
now over eight months ago." said the ex-
ConsuI-General last evening, have l in
terested myself in Chinese affairs.
Il am acquainted with Lee Zip Dock, but
1 am at loss TO understand how my
name came to be mentioned in the affairs
OF the kung Chow Association. under
stand that there is some little trouble
going on in that association, but as to the
nature OF it | am entirely ignorant"