The San Francisco call., 1898-02-08
Hears Evidence ThatCOn- vinces the Inquisitorial
 Body of His Guilt.
A Letter Which Contained Almost Positive Proof of
 Malfeasance.
PAPERS TO BE PREPARED.
Board of Education Scandals Have Reached Boiling
 Pitch.

The current school scandal, imputing the custom of place-selling by the Di- rectors, has developed to such a de- gree that the courts are likely to be invoked to sift the matter to the bot tom. The charges have gone beyond the province of vague rumor. Names are freely mentioned, sums of money are exactly stated and surrounding circumstances are Ilainly related.
 The Grand Jury has taken up the matter in earnest, and last night de- termined upon action. Facts were brought before it in such a way that the majority of the members were con- vinced that at least one member of the School Board might be indicted and thereby convicted of betrayal of a public trust.
 It was stated that the director fall ing under the condemnation of the in vestigating body is Samuel l.. Waller letter, it is understood, was produced and read before the panel and the terms of the document apparently con- vinced the members that there was reasonable expectation for bringing home to the accused the charge of mal- feasance in office. A vote was taken and 1t was decided to have the neces- sary papers prepared and the indict- ment presented at the earliest possible opportunity.
 It is stated that this action is only the beginning. Since the ventilation of the scandal independent parties. relying upon the secrecy guaranteed by the Grand Jury, have been proffering evil dence against the Directors of the most circumstantial nature. It is expected that other indictments may follow.
 The Grand Jury evidently intends to follow the Hall of Justice matter closely and endeavor to see that the structure is pushed to completion at the earliest possible moment. In pursuance of this determination the following communica- tion has been prepared and sent to the Board of Supervisors:
 TO THE HONORABLE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE CITY AND COUN- TY OF SAN FRANCISCO-Gentlemen: Be- iieving that there is unwarranted delay in the construction of the Hall of Justice, we re- spectfully ask from you the reasons therefor. We discover:
 First-That the corner stone was laid on the 18th day of December 1896.
 Second-That the contract was executed in January, 1ss7 providing for completion by the 1st day of October, lss7
 Third-That only about one-tenth Of the
 Fourth-That no contracts for the pressed brick work, terra cotta work and freproof floors have been let, and that after the let ting of these contracts it will, with all pos sible dispatch, require at least six months to complete the building.
 architects, Messrs. Shea & Shea, called your attention to the fact that 1t was necessary that these contracts be let at once
 Sixth-That large body of respectable and influential citizens. firms and corporations rep resenting over S100, GOO 900 of the wealth of this city have earnestly requested your Honor ahla Board to summon before you the con- tractors for said building and deal with them according to law. etc.
 Seventh-That a delegation of earnest work CTS of the north end of this city,. represented by their attorney, George D. Shadburne. have, since the early part of the year lSy' persist, hs necessity of early completion of this build ing.
 That the contractors were not complying with the contract; that s375 per month was being expended for superintendent and brick inspector while but little or no work was being done; that property in that vicinity was greatly depreciated and business languished. which would be greatly relieved by the com pletion of this structure.
 Tn fact they have never lost an opportunity to present this matter to you in the most urgent manner, and have persistently shown yoI that fully O000 people are looking anx- iously to the speedy compietioh or tnis ouiio- '-iE EE,rhth-That these contractors have for a long time refused, and still refuse, to carry out the directions of your architect
 Ninth-That notwithstanding your Resolu- tion of July 19, 1Ss7 directing your architects to proceed according to the contract and giv- ing them full power to do. yet these con tractors persistently refuse to obey the direc- tions of the architects. and the work Ian guishes. - ~,.,, mittee on Public Buildings you charge these citizens above mentioned with desiring to induce your committee to interfere with the ar rangements provided in the contract and spe- cidcations and commit your committee to make some statement in reference to this work, so that the responsibility for delays may be credited to your committee fayor If bo,dins hae nosItion hostile to the faithful and energetic Performance of the work" That from this statement you deem these citizens are trying