The San Francisco call., 1896-07-31
THE SOLID SEVEN ON THE VERGE OF DESPAIR

| harm can come of letting his name be
known2
''This harm," said Mr.. PAYNE. at is
possible that some business has called him
out of town. Should it appear in the news
papers that he had disappeared and the
Grand Jury be credited with the announce
ment that he had run away to avoid
service, he might feel Justly indignant
and consider that the Grand Jury had
acted imprudently. He has nothing to
fear himself. What he has agreed to tell
under oath is in the interest of justice"
sAre there many witnesses called for
the meeting tomorrow
"I have heard of only two, but there
may be Others"
"Is this expected important witness con-
nected with the Spring Valley Water Com
pany, or with the transportation or light
companies" ?"
well, you might guess if l should des-
ignate the corporation. but l can say that
he is not identified with the water COM
pany. If he does not respond tomorrow
think there will be some good explana-
ton OF his absence and notice given wien
he expects to return.
The jury is not going to adjourn right
away. Should he be absent tomorrow
we can wait reasonable time for his re-
turn to the City"
Frank Z. McLennan, secretary of the
Grand Jury, was seen last evening. He
said he understood that important testi-
mony regarding the action of certain
Supervisors would be submitted to the
Grand Jury to-day. "The little seed that
We planted the other day has been watered
and now promises to bear fruit" con-
tinued Mr.. McLenDan.
II do not know what this testimony
will be and would not tell if did, but /
do not mind saying that we understand
that Mr.. Payne, who was detailed to inter-
view well-known citizen, has been in
communication with an important wit
ness. l do not know the name of this
witness. No, do not know that this wit
ness lefs the City yesterday. have not seen
Mr.. Payne to-day, but talked with him
over the telephone a few minutes ago."
a member of the Grand jury whose
name is at present withheld expressed the
opinion that direct bribery was not re-
sorted to by the corporation in the matter
OF lowering the assessments. He said !:
1.-The action of the seven Supervisors in
the assessment reduction was part OF the
general agreement formed shortly after
the board was organized, by which seven
if not eight, of the members consented to
take care of the gas. water and street rail-
way corporations in all municipal Iegisla-
ton.
1T is proposition, plain on its face,
that some agent or attorney of the inter
ested corporations gives out hint occa-
sionally to enlighten the ring Supervisors.
Some one Supervisor in the compact may
be trusted to signal or inform his asso-
ciates as to what course should be pur-
sued"
Supervisor Taylor was very much molli-
fed yesterday when he heard that the
board had rescinded its action in taking
the matter of municipal depa rtment ap-
propriations ont of the hands of the
Finance Committee, of which he is the
head, and was in consultation with Super
visor Hughes, the author of the resembling
motion, for several hours. In fact, he has
arranged for a vacation trip to Supervisor
Hughes mines in Butte County when the
board taxes its annual rest.
II am not at all sorry that the Grand
Jury has taken up this matter of the
bribery of Supervisors" he said, ''but I
fear that their efforts to probe the matter
will prove futile.
"Fhe man who spoke to me of the cor
ruption among certain clique in the
board has been subpenaed to appear before
the Grand Jury, but there is a serious
question in my mind whether he will
make his appearance at the time set,
owing to the publicity that has been given
this affair through the columns of THE
CALL.
There is not the slightest doubt in my
mind that certain Supervisors have been
receiving money from the outside, that
they had no right to receive, to protect
the interests of certain corporations.
How many of these officials have bene-
MED by the deal l am not prepared to
say, but it will probably all come out now
ho h If.1,t sc Al.