The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-23

Through Foreman p. A. Barrett, the
grand jury yesterday made request of
Judge Edwards for blank forms OF in
dictments. Their number or nature
could not be learned. 1t Is a certainty,
though. that the Judge was asked to
draw up certain indictments and that
he agreed to do so.
There was a story afloat to the erect
that twenty indictments all told were
asked for and that fourteen Of them
will bear the names of councilmen.
The others will be against public off,
cials and employees who are alleged to
have profited from the protection af-
forded the slot machine proprietors.
This, however, ia mere rumor.
The one certain and positive devel-
opment Of yesterday was that the Judge
was asked to draw up indictments.
The rumor concerning the council
men Is lacking in some essential ele-
ments of authenticity, chief among
those being that the exact number OF
those to be indicted is given. for 1t ia
--nown positively that the jury has not
as yet finished taking evidence regard
ing the alleged bribery.
If the story had 1t that at least four.
teen were to be indicted it would savpr
more of truth.
MAYOR MOIR ON STAND.
Mayor Moir was the principal wit.
ness yesterday. He was on the stand
for half an nour in the morning and
two hours of the afternoon. He was
examined on many of the matters the
councilmen were questioned about, anG
besides was called upon to explain
away the charges that his department
played an important part in the slot
machine scandal. The mayor, 1t !.
said. convinced the jury that he. al
least, did not directly profit from the
alleged deal.
Some one who evidently has beer
keeping a scrap book furnished the
jury with a lot of interviews the may
or had given to different newspaper.
on different subjects, in which he hat
made confiictinp statements.
His honor, 1t is said. explained away
these discrepancies by saying goot
humoredly that he was not wont tt
tell the reporters the truth. II onl,
jolly them" the mayor is said to have
said.
hV S"o NIthCSSCS ia thC SlO
machine matter, Martin Clark and H
c. Pease, can't be found and County
Detective Leyshon. who has the sub
poenas for them. believes they hav,
left town.
ABOUT SLOT MACHINES.
One of yesterdays witnesses wa
Constable John Lance, of the Fifteenth
ward, who routed some slot machine.
from saloons in his bailiwick a few
months ago. One of the Jurors wa:
mean enough to raise a question as t.
Mr.. Lance's veracity, because thi.
same official reported to court thi.
month that there We're no unlicenset
places in that ward and the court rec
ords show that no licenses were take,
out there last year.
Any number of saloon-keepers hav,
testified that they were called upon t,
contribute to a fund which the slo
machine proprietors alleged was t,
buy off the public officials, and som,
Of them admitted that they contribute,
to this fund, 1t is said. 1t is furthe
said the jury has discovered wher,
this money was paid.
Other witnesses examined yesterda,
were Select Councilman T. G.. Melvin
Common Councilman Fred Phillips, ex
Common Councilman Joseph Oliver, ]
j. Padden, p. F.. Taylor, T. Hun
Brock, Charles Kaestner and E. ]
Fish. hotel-keepers.
1t Is likely the jury will take a re
| cess today, to meet again next Monday