The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-14
ROE4H'S CHARGES
we're NOT TRUE
Supervisors Hold a Session
of Proftless InVesti-
cation.
The Complainant Placed Them
in a Very Embarrassing
Position.
No Evidence That Plans We're Hidden
and That a Contract Was
Fixed.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
90S Broadway, Sept. Is.
The charges preferred against County
Clerk Jordan by Supervisor Roeth en-
gagged the attention of the board THIS
afternoon. There was no investigation,
because it was very apparent from the be-
ginning that there was nothing to investi-
gate and there was some truth in Mr..
Churoh's remark that the affair resembled
a section of q circus more than q serious
session.
Mr.. Roeth's charges came to him
through very dubious path. 81 was in
formed" said Mr.. Roetb, Chat certain
contractors of this city had been to the
County Clerks office and asked to see the
plans for building an annex to the Re-
ceiving Hospital. and that they had been
denied the use of such plans, and were
told by some one in the Clerks Office that
it would be useless for hem to bid, as the
lop had been already fixed in the inter-
ests of certain contractor.
II do not know these things OF my own
knowledge. but they were told me by my
wife, in whose integrity have the fullest
confidence. My wife was visiting the
daughter Of contractor named Mr..
Weeks. and in course of conversation
Miss Weeks stated that her father had
been refused the plans by the County
Clerk and ad also been told by some one
in the Clerks Office that it would be use
less Tor him TO tih. l do not know Mr..
Weeks, but know that these ladies told
the truth, and l believe everything they
said"
Mr.. Weeks. although he had been sub
penaed, was not in the room, but several
other contractors who were supposed TO
be mixed up in the affair were present and
they all testified that the Clerks office
always had everything for the convenience
OF contractors, and vigorously denied that
they had ever been put TO any incon-
yenlence or heard anything about con-
tracts being fixed.
Over half a dozen of them were sworn,
and all told the same story, until il e.
came monotonous. Frank Jordan, the
County Clerk, was also sworn, ana made
statement definitely denying everything
stated by Mr.. Roeth. He said that he
realized he was in 4 delicate position, as
Mr.. Roeth had so placed the matter that
he really found himsel + casting doubts on
the statements of worthy ladies with
whom he was not personally acquainted,
but he was convinced that at some stage
or other In the course through which the
inform alton came to Mr.. Roeth a misun-
derstanding had taken place and he was
anxious that MS office should not suffer
through it.
Mr.. Roeth inquired if Mr.. Weeks had
been duly subpenaed, and Mr.. Jordan re-
piled that he had, and so it was decided
to defer final action until to- night.
Supervisor Roeth brought his wife into
the board room, and she told her story,
tut it was different in some details TO
that OF her husband.
After the matter was thoroug ly dis
cussed the Supervisors passed resolution
declaring that there was no foun la ion
for the charges and exonerated Mr.. Jor-
dan.