The San Francisco call., 1898-11-15
FILING UP
 CHARGES OF
 SCHOOL JOBS Grand Jury Experts
 Take a Hand. SENSATION IN THE BOARD ATTEMPT TO INDUCE THE IN- INVESTIGATORS TO RESIGN. Additional Disclosures in the Matter
SENSATION IN THE BOARD
ATTEMPT TO INDUCE THE IN-
 VESTIGAToRS TO RESIGN.
Additional Disclosures in the Matter Of the Leasing of lincoln School Property-Uneasiness
 Among the Directors.

Jury to expert the books of the Board of Education. E. c. Fitzpatrick and John w. Atherton, who were once con- nected with the department, were the men selected. Their first appearance in the office of Secretary Welch of the board yesterday caused fluttering in the dove coteS where so much rascality has been charged during the past two years. l MT. Stanton, an ex-teacher now under 1 indictment, has intimated desire to re- turn here and bear witness to what he al- 1 leges he knows of the inner workings of the Board of Education. Altogether, as the term of office of the Directors draws to a close the indications are favorable for the laying bare Of their actions in many schemes. The pressing of the suit brought by John P. Reynolds will add its mite to the burden of woes resting upon the shoulders of the ring in the board.
 The sensation yesterday was the ap- pearance of the Grand Jury experts in the office of the board to go over the ac- counts.
 Recently MT. Fitzpatrick has been un- employed, owing to the action of the School Board in persistently refusing to recognize him as principal after the Su- perior Court had affirmed his right to the position, of which the board had at- tempted to deprive him, and had further more held that he was entitled to arrears of salary. In view of the fact that he
 
 was asked by the Grand Jury to expert the books of the School Board, thus ob- talning for the jury a long wanted and heretofore unobtainable report on the financial condition of the School Depart ment ana the many suspicious bills for suppliea which have been allowed and paid. The grand jurors believed that Kill patrick was we'll versed in school mat ters and would be able to detect dis crepancies which might easily escape the eye or an ordinary accountant.
 Principal Fitzpatrick was authorized to choose an assistant for the work of in- vestigation and selected MT. Atherton. samuel c. Irving, of the Grand Jury, Kill patrick, with his assistant, appeared at Ine onlce Of the clerk of the Board of Education and demanded access to the books.
 Secretary welch raised vigorous ob- addressing his remarks to Atherton. 'G and won't let you In behind the counter. I've no use for you here. Before I consent n2dfest 10 les my 94oks tS go into your hands will Grand Jury. If they say you are to come in I'll station clerk at your side to see books if can help 1t. As for Kilpatrick. you may come behind the counter, sup pose. What do you want to do?"
 Investigate the finances of the board" replied Fitzpatrick.
 After making a few preliminary in- quiries Fitzpatrick and Atherton left the Grand Jury. The latter gave Atherton credentials to Secretary Welch. stating that the assistant expert was employed by the Grand Jury.
 It Is known that Fitzpatrick has been quietly at work several days in a down town office preparing a schedule. of Board, on which he expects to gather cu- mulative evidence. That he is on a warm scent is shown by the fact that yesterday afternoon there was a hurried caucus held by three members of the School Board in the oftice of the clerk. As result Kill the School Board would immediately rec egnize him as principal of the Business Eyening. School and vote him his pack for the Grand Jury Fitzpatrick at once went to certain member of the jury and laid bare the proposal. You cannot af- emphafleaiy 9a at It is merey en afyep to buy you off. and the public would so re- gard it. You must continue the work that would proceed with the job
 The names of the Directors who made this proposal to Fitzpatrick are now in Grand Jury who gives out the informa- tion, but declines at this time to name the men, They are known. however, to be Reynolds of complicity In the s500O job bery in connection with @ the lease Of the streets he tells of in his suit.
 we are sure of putting several of those School Board men in San Quentin, T was significant remark of the juryman. We are accommodating evidence of the most convincing character. In addition to the jobs put through In connection with the leasing of property and the purchase of supplies, We have found that school teachers positions were offered for sale by certain members of the board. Stan ton, who was indicted at the instance of Dr. Ragan as the result of story which Stanton told that school teachers posi- tions were sold, is a fugitive. Word has been received from him that he is willing of the rascality of the School Board provided he is assured that the indict- ment secured by Dr. Ragan will be Quashed.
 'rhe latest thing that has come to my attention as member of the Grand Jury Is Job in connection with the purchase of the site for the Noe Valley school. Quite. recently the Board of Education, Knowing that it was already In debt more than enough to cover It's entire appropri- ation, deliberately proceeded to purchase Douglass streets, 165x134 feet, for the ex- cessive sum of SIP ,500, which was subse- quently scaled down. for some unknown Hoffman avenue was another lot, In every way more desirable. 250x133 feet, which Ed Marks. the owner, offered to large building upon 1t which could easily have been used for school pur- poses until the board was able to erect new building But the board would not take it. Now, Marks comes to me and states that he received notice on the quiet that his lot would be selected by the Board of Education, provided that there was s5OOO rake-of for certain directors Marks would not consider the proposal, and so the lot at Twenty-third and Doug lass was selected Marks is feeling sore and Is ready to tell all that transpired. There will be some sensational develop ments in this business"
 From the following story regarding the Lincoln School property lease, 1t will be seen that the present manipulators have had their scheme in preparation for sev- eral years. Edward McGrath was one of the original lessees of a portion of the property and traces the history of the lots . during the past twenty-three years.
 The story of the Lincoln School prop erty commenced some twenty-three years ago. said Mir. McGrath yesterday. At that time the property was vacant and unproductive The Board of Education could not lease 1t without legislative ac- ton, so the matter was taken to the State Legislature. A bill was prepared in wIfch was Incorporated the amount of rent per iot. This was fixed at $100 month for the first five years: s150 for the second period; $200 for the next, and $250 for the last period of time for which the lease