Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-03
BOUGHT UP AS SHEEP
STARTLING EVIDENCE IN ST.
LOUIS BRIBERY CASE.
Councilmen Sold Out to Robert N,
Snyder in the Most Re
voting Way.

A dispatch from St. Louis last night says:
Former City Councilman Uthoff, testifying
in the Snyder bribery trial today. told how
he was bought and sold three times while
member of the city assembly.
In answer to questions put by Circuit
Attorney Folk. Uthoft testified that while
member of the city council in 1898. when
the north and south traction bills were
pending. Robert NJ. Snyder called on him
at his residence, having been taken there
by Louis Dieckmann by appoin tment. Ut
hoff continued:
After talking socially about half an hour,
Snyder said he lived in New York; that he
was millionaire, and that he was connect
ed with a bank in Kansas City. He was
talking about how much money he had.
He said he made part of 1t in the real
estate boom in Kansas City.
Then he again spoke of the Central
Traction bill l told him l did not want to
talk about the matter. He said We were
both Masons and we could discuss it the
same as lodge matters. He said ! ought to
favor him with his bill.
Il told him l had been approached and
offered $4,000 for my vote. will get that
amount and send 1t by Dieckmann,' said
Snyder to me.
Now, 1 never said then nor have I ever
said that l would vote for the measure"
Witness then told of package brought
to his house the following day by DECK
At that meeting Snyder said:
'Uthoff, if you don't vote for that bill
am a ruined man"
Il told Snyder continued the witness an
swerins Mr.. Folk. that he should come to
my house and get that package back; that
l did not want it
Did he do you requested?
Yes; he came the next day" said the
witness and opened the package which
contained currency, twenty-five checks OF
$1,000 denomination and the balance in Sc
curities and papers Snyder took the con-
tents and departed"
Uthoff testified under cross-eXamination
that last week he and Scully were before
the grand jury together. and that he told
the grand jury that Sculy gave him $4,000
to vote against the Central Traction bill.
Attorney Priest questioned the witness
about Butler and the amounts Uthoff said
he (Butler) paid the witnesses Cast. Gaus.
Thinner, Brinkmeyer and Kratz for several
months.
Witness said Butler paid them S433 per
month while the Central Traction bill was
pending. This was to insure the promoters
of the Traction bill that the six councilmen
in question would not vote for any rival
street railway bill.
Louis c. Dieckmann was the next wit
ness. He speaker Of the house of del
egates from 1898 to 1900, and from 1897 to
1899, while the Central Traction bill was
pending.
Dieckmann testified that Snyder asked
him to assist in getting the Central Trac-
see that any promise made by George J.
Kobusch. president of the st. Louis Car
Company, would be kept The witness said
he agreed to assist Snyder. He told of ar
ranging the first interview between Uthotf
and Snyder. and said he remained In the
room with the men five minutes and then
withdrew, and after that he took the pack
age of money in the house and left 1t.
Later. when Uthoff returned the money and
refused to vote for the bill, he arranged
another meeting with Snyder IN saloon at
10th and Market streets. Judge Priest be-
gan the cross-examination of Dieckmann,
but nothing developed. and George J.
Kobusch took the stand. Witness testified
that Snyder had told him he paid $4,000 to
Uthoff to pass the Central Traction bill.
Mr.. kobusch was asked by Circuit Attor-
ney Folk:
Did Snyder ever say anything to you
with reference to procuring the vote Of
Frederick G. Uthoff on the measure IN the
council?'
Yes
what did he say to you and where?"
that Uthoff wanted $JO,CDu for his vote"
Did he say he had paid $50,000?'
Yes"
You are clear on the point that Snyder
said he'd pay $4,000 for the vote?'
Yes
what members of assembly did Snyder
tell you he had paid?"
Snyder said he had paid Chas. E. Carroll
ST. 500
The witness further testified he received
between $4,000 and S4o.cG0 from Snyder of
which Mephan was to get $4,000 for his
services as legislative agent.