davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-11-30

ooqxeFuatlon with any member about
uoqooi matters, 20 far ~ ! remember,
except that upon one occasion when Mr..
Fra4cis was sick DR.. Mathis spoke to
me about his vacation during his illness,
andIupon one occasion had q casual
conversation with Mr.. Webb in the ro-.
tundA Of the city hall concerning the
likelihood OF bonds being issued to fur
dnlt more school buildings, and the need
| further school facilities. Upon an
|,thtr occasion, also, I saw Mr.. Bartlett
lbout an old soldier by the name Of Will
I collins. who was. very needy. and asked
% have him given some work as q labor
II about the school grounds. Mr.. Bart
iettsiaid he could do nothing; and saw
Mr.. Davis about the same matter, and
| he haid he would do what he could. /
thsn saw Adams. and he promised to
employ Collins, and Collins was given
! = ffw more days work and then dis
rhh}ged.
\ with the absve exceptions have
|ln}ver had any conversation with any
|lnember Of the present board Of educa-
tbn, about any school matters, since
tho time Of their going into office.
Ifhave had no connection, either d.
4cejy or indirectly. with the above mat
shrs, except as have stated.
| No questions were asked the reverend
Ecx-school director. His statement was
lall that either Side wanted. and he re-
tired. If there had been any questions.
the one most likely to have been asked
would have been why he, as minister
Of the gospel. did not publicly denounce
the extortion and expose the matter
when 1t took place. That was not asked.
and. therefore, not answered.
The herald., 1897-11-30
PROF. KEPPEL.
PROF. KUNOU.

MISS FIDELIA A. ANDERSON.
This ID the infamous blacklist. All the
Epersons mentioned are principals In the
public schools.
II was requested to see them and see
| II they could be made to pay for their
positions" continued Axtell.
What amount was mentionedw
There was no particular amount. One
months salary was what was decided
upon," was the reply. II was not told
what was to say to them. The list
was given to me in Prof Foshay's pri-
vate Office by Director Webb. No one
else was present.
"The idea was that unless they came
up with the cash their chances Of re-
election were slim. Adams mentioned no
names to me about that time except
Keppel's. He would often ask:
How are you getting along collect
ing?'
Il would tell him of the persons had
seen. I did not agree to see all the per-
sons on the list, but scratched out the
names Of Stein, Hunt. Miliard, Ander-
son and Kunou. I had no interest in
them, and the others were my particu-
lar friends. only wanted to do them
a friendly turn. made them acquainted
with the demand and gave them an op-
portunity Of saving their places.
ADAMS AFTER THE JANITORS
adams mentioned Cooper to me, say
ing there were several applicants for the
place and he thought Cooper should be
made to pay months salary"
Then Axtell described his having "ap-
preached" the several principals, telling
the story as they had told 1t. Asked
what he would have done with the
money had any of them paid. he replied
that he would have taken it to Webb.
He then described getting Cooper's
money through Pitman. It was paid
to him in front of the Spring street
school building and he at once took 1t
to the Office Of the board.
webb was there said he. "He was
The herald., 1897-11-30
Another Hearing on the
Hitching Ordinance
MAIN STREET REsURFAcINc
vITAsCoPE ORDINANCE TO BE
AMENDED
Laborers on City Work Complain.
Assistant City Attorney to Go
to Washington

Yesterdays session of the council was
not marked by anything Of a startling
nature, nor was the oratory indulged
in by the members of such a character
as to leave it's impress upon the mind of
the lobby for any length Of time, except
ing, however, the impassioned address
of Councilman Toll. who adjured his
fellow to defeat the petition
asking for repeal Of the vitascope
view ordinance.
There were tears in Mr.. Tolls voice
while he pointed out the evils Of publicly
permitting such vicious exhibitions as
vitascopic views, but five Of his fellow
members laughed outright while Mr..
Toll was imploring them. and refused to
side with him when it came to vote.
There is a provision in the amended
ordinance, If drawn according to the
petition, which will prevent boys under
fifteen from viewing the show. The pc
tition, however, says nothing about girls
under that age, who, presumably, will
cheerfully avail themselves of this omis-
sion to look upon the vitascope when
it sputters, while their brothers In
knickerbockers stand out on the side
walk.
The petition for resurfacing Main
street came up, but was referred to the
city engineer and city attorney. The
board of public works will labor over
new hitching ordinance that is to allow
vehicles to remain hitched in one spot
for twenty minutes within the district
now covered by the last ordinance, as
the council referred to 1t a petition SO
framed. To the same body has been
entrusted the business of altering the
ordinance which prohibits the main
tenance of signs and posts in front of
business places. In the meanwhile the
ordinance is ordered suspended by coun-
Gil.
One hundred and fifty dollars has been
ordered appropriated for the expenses
of representative of the city attorney
to Washington, there to appear in behalf
of the city in the water suit appeal.
Street commissioners were also appoint
ed for Sixteenth and Washington streets
and Stanley avenue.
A protest filed by the laborers en-
ployed by the Alcatraz Paving company,
who claim that they receive only $1.5O
instead of 50 per day, and have to work
ten hours day instead of eight, would
Indicate that the law is not observed by
that company. The council took no ac-
|tion, but it is probable that the matter
will be looked into.
The herald., 1897-11-30
WILL LAY THE TRACK
Olivera Street Is to Be Used by an
Electric Railway

Permission was granted the Pasadena
and Los Angeles Electric Railroad COM
pany to lay single track along Olivera
street by the city council. The matter
came up as part of the report of the
board of public works in which the rec
ommendation was made that the petit
tion be granted. The report was adopt
ed, as was the ordinance accompany
ing it.
The property owners along the street
have withdrawn their objection to the
use of the street by the company. A
special depot for the handling of mail
and express matter between Los Angeles
and Pasadena is to be established by the
company on Olivera street and an effort
will be made to secure as much Of the
freight business between the two cities
as possible. The special franchise for
the use of the street is only for twenty
three months.
The herald., 1897-11-30

4 he been 30 disposed. He declared that he
had saved the department hundreds Of
dollars by carefully scrutinising de-
mands.
In the midst Of his speech Webb turn
ed upon Mr.. Gibbon and began most
bitter personal attack He charged
that Mr.. Gibbon had endeavor-
cd to muse his place on the police
commission as a means of securing q
school for q young lady whose cause he
had espoused, and who had been marked
poor" by the school authorities. Tho
young lady referred to is Miss Mae
Owen, for whom Mr.. Gibbon had en-
deavored to secure position. The at
tack was very bitter, and in no way had
reference to the school board scandal.
Webb was angry, and showed 1t plainly.
Replying to him Mr.. Gibbon said:
II am sorry that an attempt has been
made to draw me into this matter, but I
shall not consent to be made party to
this investigation and thereby prevent
this board from giving attention to his
party own shortcomings in the be-
trayal Of his trust as member of the
board of education. The only thing /
ever heard about the Jews being inter-
ested In this matter was told to me by
the gentleman himself. When went to
him and asked his assistance in getting
Miss Owen a place he stated, in very
tenderly sympathetic tones, that he
would do what he could for her, but that
he was afraid there was no hope fore her,
because he believed the Jews were after
her."
Il never said It," interposed Webb.
Your word against mine; with this
crowd I'm willing to leave 1t that way"
was Mr.. Gibbons quick reply, and. the
crowd cheered him.
Il believe that Mr.. Webb's statement
was slander against our Jewish fellow
citizens which he had originated as a
thin excuse for his own actions. I in
formed Miss Owen and she proved my
opinion to be correct by securing the
signatures Of the parents Of every Jew
ish child in her department
The principal of her school also signed
her application and urged 1t. The dep
uty superintendent, who had made the
only report against her, stated to the
board that he had made a mistake and
withdrew it.
Previous to this matter had promised
Councilman Blanchard. Webb and others
the appointment on the police force of
man whom they favored and whom /
have since learned is worthy man.
did say to Mr.. Webb one time after
that that inasmuch as had taken his
word as to the qualifications of his man
thought he might have taken my word
as to an applicant for a teachers posi-
tion. That was all there was of it, and If
that be wrong. he can make the most of
it. The reference which he makes to the
courts may and doubtless will come to
pass in a manner which will bring out
all the facts, and I have no desire to
state them here.
The trial Of Director Adams will be
begun at 7:3O o'clock this evening.
The herald., 1897-11-30

the matter to the board Of public works,
but Mr.. Nickel stated that the work
was Of sufficient Importance to have it
done as soon as possible. He therefore
moved that 1t be referred to the city en-
gineer with instructions to prepare the
necessary ordinance of intention. This
motion was opposed by several of the
members. who urged that under the
present specifications the haste that was
contemplated in the work was needless,
as there would be little work on the
street possible before spring. They ar
gued that the specifications were such
as to give one company a. monopoly in
the work and insisted upon a change.
The motion prevailed, however, and the
ordinance will be presented at the next
meeting of the council. 1t is certain to
be adopted.
The herald., 1897-11-30

sent for. and when he came in we went
into Prof. Foshay's Office and 1 offered
the money to Webb. He refused to take
1t. saying it was Adams money. told
him was tired Of the matter and would
leave it there if he did not take it. He
took it, saying he would give 1t to
Adams. I then left. I never got one
cent Of the money at any time"
OFFERED TO FIX" 1T
An effort on the part of Webb and
Adams to shield themselves was brought
out when Axtell told of his grand jury
experience. He said:
II saw Webb and Adams few min
utes before went before the grand jury.
and we talked the matter over. They
told me that the best place to fix that
money was in Pitman's pocket. They
wanted me to swear had never received
it from Pitman."
"Who mentioned that?"
II think 1t was Webb"
In response to a question as to why
he had confessed. Axtell said: "You
know the newspapers have been severe,
perhaps justly so. haven't complained
was made the target. My wife pleaded
with me one morning 4aSt'' Week to set
the matter right. and not bring Hfsgrace
upon her and the children. I jusl
couldn't stand it. and that's the reason
am here" Here Axtell could not con-
troll his tears, and 1t was several mo.
ments before he could talk. He said hi
had a son, two married daughters, and
grand d-children. He claimed that only
his friendship for those approached inn
PEELED him to do as he had done.
STICKS TO HIS STORY
Cross by Judge Murphy
failed to shake his story in the least. He
was made to admit that he had told
several falsehoods before coming on the
stand.
Murphy.
mo; I intend to hold the position al
long as I can," was the reply.
do you think yourself fit person tc
hold such position?" was the next
question. to which came the quick an
swer:
II think I'll compare favorably Will
some of the others
TAis was received by the crowd with
burst Of applause, which the president
could not check for several minutes.
Director Webb took hand in the ex.
animation and 1t was brought out that
five months ago Webb had secured AK.
tells resignation, but why. could mo-
be brought out.
"You had better keep of that subject
for your own good" said Axteli to Webb
Just what this matter Is will be brought
| out later
The herald., 1897-11-30
THE GARBAGE CREMAToRY
Report That the Stuff Was Not Burned
but Dumped Denied


but Dumped Denied
There were rumors floating around
the city hall yesterday that the garbage
contractors, Franklin & Alexander, were
to be Investigated because they were not
burning the offal and dirt according to
their agreement. 1t took some little
time to locate the source from which
these reports emanated, but they were
finally traced down to couple of labor
ers who had been discharged sometime
ago for incompetency and intoxication.
They had taken this method to get even
with their former employers.
Inquiries made at the several offices
that supervise the work of the garbage
contractors brought to light that there
was absolutely no cause of complaint
against them, and that the rumors in
dustriously circulated by the discharged
employees were merely malicious and
without foundation. Contractor Frank
lin stated yesterday evening in the
mayors office that all garbage Is
promptly and regularly collected by the
men in his employ and quickly hauled
and burned at the crematory. THE
statement by the men that were dis
charged that the garbage is dumped
instead of burned he added, sis en-
phatically untrue"
The herald., 1897-11-30
Long Hours, Small Pay

The complaint by the workmen en-
ployed on the work of improving First
street from Main to the river by lower
ing the granite blocks three inches and
covering them with asphaltum, that
they are being imposed upon by the AL.
catraz company, is to be looked into by
the council. The workmen complain that
they are receiving but $1.50 per day in
stead Of $2 and that they are compelled
to work ten hours instead of eight. This,
they claim. is contrary to the ordinance
providing for the pay and length of
service of men engaged upon public
work. ,..
The herald., 1897-11-30

wanted to make a statement IN which
he would tell all the facts. There could
be no objection to this, and the superin-
tendent OF janitors and tool of those
higher In authority arose and went for
ward to where Secretary Johnson stood
ready to administer the oath. He was
sworn and took his seat.
The old man was evidently agitated.
and when he announced the preliminary
questions there was tremor In his
voice which bespoke emotion. When
he began there was hardly person in
the audience who did not think him one
Of the worst Of the conspirators.
When, in a manner that showed the
truth Of his statement, he told how Webb
and Adams had almost compelled him
to do their dirty work the sentiment Of
the crowd changed. When, with tears
coursing down his cheeks and his voice
choked by sobs, he told how his wife,
for the sake of their children and grand
children, had prevailed upon him to
make a clean breast of the matter, he
became an object of pity rather than Of
contempt.
SO hoarse was he that his answers to
questions could not be distinctly heard
1t first, but the spectators preserved
perfect silence and all that he said
found ready listeners. He stated his
name, age, residence, the title Of his po-
sition, how long he had occupied it, what
he had done before, ETC., etc. Then, in
response to questions, he told this story,
which is given without the quotation of
all the questions by Mr.. Gibbon which
brought 1t out:
THE PLOT EXPOSED
"Prof. Keppel and do not quite agree
as to our first meeting called to see
him concerning his removal. We had
had some slight misunderstanding. and
desired to assure him that was his
friend. told him of the petition to
have Yoder take his place. We talked
for long time. but no money was mem
! toned at that time. No such thing had
pbeen mentioned to me then. advised
him to see Adams because knew Adams
20 be Yoder's friend and thought seeing
< Adams would help Keppel. don't re-
member the date of this meeting Adams
afterward spoke to me about Keppel
and told me that Keppel ought to or
might be made to pay for his position.
Later on there was a list of principals
given to me-. and it was stated they
might be made to pay for their posi-
tions." ~
by whom was 1t given to you?''
\ asked Mr.. Gibbon.
by Mr.. Webb" was the reply, in a
I low tone. The question was repeated
4 and the same answer made.
WAS It written or did he read 1t to
your"
HE, read It from pocket memoran-
dunn book and wrote 1t down."
s~ THE BLACKLIST
Here Axtell produced the copy of the
list he had then made and read it, II
Is a. follows:
PROF. BONEBRAKE.
PROF. F. w. STEIN, JR.
MISS HELEN r. HUNT.
PROF. q. e. GATES.
PROF. MILLARD.
PROF. EMERY.
PROF. PHILLIP
The herald., 1897-11-30

could last two years or more with ii
present flooring. After that time new
bridge would have to be erected. To
place asphaltum on the floor now would
necessitate the placing of additional
supports under the bridge, the cost OF
which would be $500 more than the COM
mittee felt justified in expending. The
contractor was willing to cut out this
bridge from his contract, and it was rec.
commended that the work upon it be
abandoned. The report was adopted.
and the change in the contract was
made.
The herald., 1897-11-30
vITAsCoPE VIEWS
Attorney Instructed to Draft an Or
dinance Covering the Matter


M. III. Sherman, H. E. Wyatt, C. M.
Wood, Sam b. Dewey, ]. B. Lankershim,
]. e. Brink, J. S. Salkey, j. w. Young,
A. c. Bilicke, Paul H. Blades and l.. E.
Mosher petitioned the council to amend
ordinance 4437 so as to permit the ex-
hibition of the vitascope views of con-
tests mentioned therein (prize fights and
slugging matches), excluding from such
exhibitions boys under the age Of fifteen
years. The pictures exhibited, says the
petition, are of an artistic nature, and
have nothing in them which can be
criticised by the most fastidious person.
being entirely different In the impression
given from the actual contests. Not
withstanding a fervid speech by Council-
man Toll against the petition, it was re-
ferred to the city attorney with instruc-
tions to draft an ordinance in accordance
with the request by vote Of ayes to4
noes.
The herald., 1897-11-30
K1NNEY's PROTEST
Objects to the Resurfacing Of Spring
Street at Owners Expense

Abbot Kinney yesterday afternoon
filed protest with the city clerk against
the repairing and resurfacinE Of Spring
street, between Temple and Ninth
streets. The grounds upon Which his
protest Is based are that Spring street
had been heretofore fully constructed to
the satisfaction Of the superintendent
of streets and the council, with sewer, gas
and water pipes laid therein, under the
proper regulations. He claims that there
Is no authority to now repair the street
and charge the expense to the property
owners, but that under the law it is the
duty Of the city to pay for all repairs and
improvements thereon out of the public
purse.
The herald., 1897-11-30
City Hall Repairs

The much-needed repairs in the city
hall and the improvement in the plumb
ing Of that building are to be looked
into Jointly by the building superin-
tendent and the plumbing inspector.
The former officer reported yesterday in
part and the matter was again referred
to him and the plumbing inspector, with
instructions to furnish an estimate OF
cost and specifications as to the work
that may be needed.
The herald., 1897-11-30
THE BOND ACT
Petition to Bring an Appeal to Su-
preme Court to Speedy Hearing

A petition signed by French & Reed.
Ramish & Marsh, and many other con-
tractors was read by the clerk and re-
ferred to the finance committee. It re-
quests the council to direct the city at
torney to take all necessary steps re-
quired to bring to a speedy hearing be-
fore the supreme court the appeal taken
from the judgment Of Superior Judge
Allen in the matter of the sale of piece
of property, under the bond act, to the
state, instead of to a private party.
Petitioners also pray that the council
will order the transcript on appeal
printed.
The herald., 1897-11-30
ATTACKED AN ATTORNEY
Webb Tries to Shield Himssif Behind
Personalities and Abuse

Mr.. Webb got no new facts out OF the
witness. and Axtell was finally excused.
That closed Axteli's case.
Webb then made speech, In which
he denied, in the most emphatic terms.
the charge against him. He declared
his name had been dragged into 1t
through spite. and reasoned that he had
had abundant opportunities to steal had
The herald., 1897-11-30
ENFORCEMENT DEFERRED
Transportation and Telegraph Com
panies Want to Maintain Signs

PaAlCS w d14t " 04d4Atd4A 01SA5
The numerous transportation and
telegraph companies doing business in
this city appealed to the council yester-
day to have the ordinance against street
signs so amended as to exclude them
from it's provisions. The ordinance for
bids the erection and maintenance OF
street office signs unless they are
equipped with lights Of 1000 candle power
Recently the board of police COM
missioners decided to enforce the ordi-
nance, and the chief of police was
instructed to notify the owners Of signs
which did not come within the ordinance
to remove them. Threats were made Of
arrest if this order was disregarded
The companies appealed to the council
for relief, and the matter was referred to
the board Of public works for investiga-
ton. In the meantime the chief of po-
lice was requested to take no action un-
less ordered to do SO by the council.
The herald., 1897-11-30
Taking Them Back

Sheriff G. G. Ruffner Of Yavapai coun-
ty, Ariz., leaves this morning with
George Leander and James Wilson, who
were arrested by Detectives Auble and
Hawley Thanksgiving day in possession
Of bucketful of jewelry stolen from a
store in Prescott, Ariz.
The herald., 1897-11-30
AxrELL's CONFESSION
4 Wife's Pleading and Newspaper
prodding the Cause

There had been so many surprises dur
ing the session that the crowd hardly
knew what to expect when, after
"Brother" Pitman had left the stand,
dr. Gibbon arose and said that Axtell
The herald., 1897-11-30
WILL BE PUSHED
Main Street to Be Resurfaced az Soon
as Possible

AS was expected. the petition for the
resurfacing Of Main street along the
same lines and within the same limits
as Spring street was presented before
the city council yesterday morning. 1t
contained the unqualified signatures Of
a majority Of the owners of the prop
erty frontage along that street, and this
renders successful protest impossible.
There was at first an inclination to refer
The herald., 1897-11-30
WILL NOT BE PAVED
Ninth Street Bridge Excluded From
the List Under Contract

The Ninth-street bridge will not be
coated on the wagon-way with asphalt.
When the matter of approving the con-
tract for the repairs of bridges came up
MIR. Baker stated that the committee had
decided to take that bridge from the list
Of those to be repaired. He said the
bridge was light structure, which
The herald., 1897-11-30
ANOTHER HEARING

To Be Given by the Board of Public
Works on the Hitching Measure
The herald., 1897-11-30

Contrary to expectations, the pres
ent anti-hitching ordinance was not