The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-24
JUDGE DOUGLAS WILL HEAR PETITION TO REDUCE BONDS TO-DAY

Frederick G. Cthoff former member Of
the City Council. was closeted with Circuit
Attorney Folk for more than two hours
yesterday, and II is said the informs: Ion
he gave about certain Doodle deals in the
Municipal Assembly is second only in i'm
portance to that obtained from John K.
| Murrell
Uthon was a member OF the City Council
when the Central Traction bill was passed
| His name was last on the roll call. and 1t
has been openly stated that $4,000 was
given him for his vote on that measure;
| that afterwards Robert NJ Snyder, whose
| trial on the charge of bribery in connec-
ton with the deal is TO begin next Monday,
| borrowed the money back from Uthoff and
| never returned but S. 900 OF II.
CthofI will be the States chief witness
| against Snyder. and from the information
| he gave Mr.. Folk ii is said that other in
| dictments may follow. Through 1t the Cir
| cunt Attorney may be-able to reach certain
alleged bribe gtvers. Uthoff Will have an
this morning. His statement yesterday
was taken down by a stenographer. and he
will complete II TO-DAY.
WILL REPEAT STORY
BEFORE GRAND JURY.
The Grand Jury will convene Friday and
Cthoff will be a witness. He testified be-
fore the Grand Jury last winter. when the
bribery Investigations began. but at that
time his testimony was not regarded as OF
unusual Importance. Since that time he
has been IN Colorado. where he has mining
interests.
From 1895 to 1899 Uthoff served as a MEM
Der Of the CITY Council In this time the
lighting bill came up for consideration OF
the Municipal Assembly. 1t was believed
tnat Charles +. Kelly. member of the House
OF Delegates for whom the State offered a
reward OF $500 wns the only person who
had knowledge OF this deal which would
lead TO the arrest Of the bribe givers.
While persons connected with the Cir
cult Attorneys office remain silent when
questioned along this line. II is possible that
Uthoff can throw enough light on this mat
ter TO assist the City Attorney very ma
teriaIly In his efforts to get at the bribe
gfvers. who are said to be millionaires-
TESTIMONY BY KELLY
MAY NOT BE NECESSARY.
Whether Uthofr knows who gave the
money that Influenced the lighting bills
passage in the City Council will be known
when the Grand Jury finishes its investisa-
ton, and not before. II he does. and has told
II
lieved to be the case by persons who have
followed the trend Of matters carefully. the
bribe-givers can be gotten at without the
evidence Of Charles F. Kelly.
Uthofrs appearance II is believed. may
have the effect Of bringing Kelly in before
the statute Of limitation Will apply IN the
cases of the bribe-givers. While II has never
been definitely stated that such thing
would be DONE II has been the belief that
Kelly would be given immunity should he
come In and tell what he knows. and help
the State TO get to the bribe-givers. Now
it. is pointed out that, in the event Uthon
gives the information 30 much wanted m
the Circuit Attorneys office. Kelly may
decide that he cannot help his friends by re-
naming away. and viii give himself up.
Robert NJ. Snyder. II is alleged. was the
promoter of the Central Traction deal His
homo originally was in Kansas City. but
the State will contend that he has lived In
New York and for this reason the statute
OF limitations does not apply to him. as Il
does to others. who would have been in
dicted had this not been the case.
It is common talk that Snyder gave Ut
hon $4,000 cash for his vote on the Central
Traction bill. and before the adjournment
of the meeting went to Uthon and bor-
rowed the money back from him, saying he
needed 1t to square other persons that
night, and would return Il the next day.
When Uthoff went after the money. accord
Ing to information IN the hands OF Circuit
Attorney Folk. Snyder had departed for
New York. Uthoff. It Is said. followed sny-
der to New York, and. after being wined
and dined at the promoters expense sew
eral days. compromised for IS 600. and signed
a statement that he never had received q
cent for his vote on the measure.