The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-28
Circuit Attorney Folk Begins In
eestigation of New Boodling
Charges.
PRESENT HOUSE is INVOLVED.
Delay of the Pneumatic Tube Bill
by the Alleged Use of Money
Is Brought to Attention of
Authorities.

Speaker John r. Fontana. Edward e.
MurreIl c. A. Windmueller. Charles +. kel-
ly and J. T. Brennan members Of the
House of Delegates. were witnesses before
the Grand Jury yesterday afternoon. and it
is believed were asked what they knew of
the report that a bribe of $500 had been de-
manded for the passage OF the pneumatic
tube bill
From reports current at the Four Courts
It is believed that but little information on
the alleged deal was given by these wit
nesses. Circuit Attorney Folk was reticent
about the matter. but from source deemed
entirely reliable t was ascertained that he
is on another .'boodle'' trail.
The alleged pneumatic tube deal, 1t IS be-
lieved is not the only one that came up
for investigation yesterday by the Grand
Jury. Report has ii that still another
measure is being prohed. and that in this
the sum of money involved is greater tnan
the $3.50 mentioned as the price alleged to
have been demanded for the passage of the
pneumatic tube bill.
LARGE SUM Is INVOLVED.
While the deal does not reach the magni
tude Of the Suburban or lighting deals it is
stated that larger sum Is involved, and
torney, who took the matter before the
Grand Jury. is found TO be correct another
scandal in the lower branch of the Munich
Mr.. Folk. Kelly Fontana. Murrell. Bren-
nan and Windn1ueller would not discuss the
reason for their being called as witnesses.
Each of the House members remained in
the Grand Jury room about fifteen minutes.
Fontana was before the jurors twice. When
he was allowed TO go TO the witnesS-room
the first time he was instructed by Circuit
Attorney Folk to wait haIf an hour.
This procedure recalled TO those who We're
around the Grand Jury rooms when the
first big Doodle scandals were being IN
earthed how certain other members Of the
House Of Delegates and former me mbers
were asked to wait a few minutes and
then served with bench warrants charging
them with bribery and perjury.
F'ONTANA COMES OUT SMILING.
Later developments, however, showed
that this was not the intention: so far as
Speaker Fontana was concerned. He was
called back into the Grand Jury room. spent
another ten minutes and came out smiling.
Kelly followed Fontana into the room.
Kelly kept aloof from other House MEM
bers, occupying a chair in one of the outer
rooms. while the others sat in the inner
witness-room-
been through the mill too often before ana
was prepared for anything the Grand Jury
might spring on him.
E. E. Murrell was Speaker OF the House
when the sl35,eC0 Suburban deal was on and
presided at the meetings of the nineteen
combine members. who demanded $4,000 for
their votes on the franchise bill
KELLY AWAITS COURTS DECISION.
Kelly likewise has had taste of the
power behind the Grand Jury's iuvestiga-
tions OF Doodle. He IS now charged with
perjury and bribery in several indictments.
On one he has been found guilty. and a
jury has declared that he must serve five
years I'm the Penitentiary.
Judge Ryan has not yet passed upon the
motion for a new trial in this case. but II
is settled that 1t will be carried to the Su-
preme Court In the case of John H;
Sehnettler. Judge Douglas has decided
against the defense on the contention that
the defendants, who were Jointly charged,
believed, will be the decision of Jadge Ryan
| in the case of Kelly and five others.
Kelly ran away when the Grand Jury in
dicted his fellow-members of the House for
perjury and bribery In connection with the
Suburban and lighting deals. He spent sew
eral months in Europe. and was arrested
| In Philadelphia on his return.