The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-31

: The evidence that now has become pub
lie property in the course OF the cighseen
Doodle trials pieces together the history Of
all the chief corrupt deals upon which the
statute of limitation allows prosecution.
A review of the boodling investigation
shows that eighteen defendants have faced
a jury. including Hannigsn and Hartmann,
the most recent. Many have told practical
ly the same story, but each has let in new
sidelights upon the system by which law
making was reduced to a kind of auction
Ing process. The gentle argument used by
the Assembly until within the last year or
SO has been in effect: Put up or, shut up"
Now a fairly comprehensive idea can be
obtained of how much was put up and
in what manner was the putting up done.
As to the amounts per individual Dele
gate. George F. Robertson gave the most
concise statement the other day at the Han
nigan trial.
The following is an abstract from the tes-
timony:
How much did you receive for the Cen
trail traction bill?''
Three thousand dollars"
For the Lindeil Railroad bill?"
Two thousand dollars ~.e=---a
For the Missouri Pacific switch bill?"
Three hundred dollars"
For the Burlington switch bill?'
Either $500 or $500"
For the lighting biil?'
twenty-five hundred dollars"
For the Union Market bill?"
Either $500 or $780,
For the asphalt paving bills"
Il got money for one asphalt bill, but /
Go not remember which one and the amount
was small"
William NJ. Tamblyn corroborated his
friend Robertson at the same trial.
{ How much did YOU receive all told for
bribes?" the Circuit Attorney asked.
Il do not remember exactly; probably Sl0,-
900 or more. 1 got s., 500 for the Lindell
Railroad and s., 500 for the Central traction
bill"
DOODLE FUND PAID
NEARLY $500. 0oo.
In totals the cost OF leg~islation-that is.
money which evidence has shown was paid
to msmbers of the House ard Council
mounts into an imposing sum of 1896. 200.
This was distributed as follows: Central
Traction bill. s250.00: lighting bill, s47, 500;
Suburban bill, $4,000; Union Market bill.
1 ,0oo: Missouri Pacific switch. 81, 900; Bur-
lington switch, 500; Lindell Railway,
5000.
The Suburban deal was. Of course. the
first exposed. The $4,000 is made UP of
$4,000 for the House. $780, 600 for the Council
and 5000 paid for shares of stock to Emil
In this latter Instance. the method of
putting. up" was unique. It consisted in
the purchase of stock from Meysenburg. it
being understood that the stock was worth
less. Philip Stock, upon the witness stand,
graphically described the transfer.
II telephoned Meysenburg on February
between 10 and IL o'clock. and the answer
came back that he would be in. kratz and
/ went over to Meysenburg's. and kratz
"tMr. Stock is here to settle for those
shares
II then stated that / understood re had
show that we would BY paying the amount
asked, although the shares were of no
value. He then turned to Kratz and said:
Charlie. you know very well l do not
want anything that Is not fair and square.
! merely want to get the money which l
laid out
these shares. stating that he had spent so
much money. / did not look at the state,
ment. and handed him over the check. and
tween the statement and the check. which
was about $50. q. I believe. He gave me that
in currency. i.think I was about leaving
Now Stock. I want yon TO strictly un,,
derstand this is a business transaction. and
that 1t Will not influence my vote on the
Suburban BILL Then 1 left with Kraft
HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS
CAUSED THE TROUBLE.
Enscting n settlement with the House Of
Delegates in this matter was difficult. John
K. Murrell. acting for the House, wanted
part Of the money before the bill was
Passed. Philip Stock, for the Suburban
Company, would not listen to this PROPOSE
ton. The outcome of their negotiation end
cd IN the dramatic safe deposit plan. The
inception of this was told by Stock at the
:iiai OF Julius h m
''Johu X. Murrell." said Stock. called at
my once october IL, 1901. to talk to me
= about the Suburban bill, which had just
been introduced in the City Council. He
wanted to knew what I would do. I told
lin ] had no proposition to make, but that
1 would listen to him.
He Sid he could pass the bill through
=. the House of Delegates for $4,000. l believe
he said the boys wanted that much to pass
il. He told me he wanted one-haf the
money down and the other half when the
was his proposition. l could lay 1t before
my people. I said that if he could wait
/, Init: after the bill became a law for his
money. I might talk TO him.. but not other
visa.
refused, but as he left the office he
|: left his card on my desk, saying that II I
! wanted to See him again I could call him