The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-20

The Grand Jury will to-day turn it's
spotlight on Abe Ruef. In the investi-
cation Of the present municipal admin
istration that has been conducted with
vigor on the part Of number Of the
jurors, the attorney and political ad
wiser of the Mayor has not escaped
His connection with the Baldwin The
alter, a ten-cent showhouse that open
ed at 926 Market street about three
months ago, must now be explained
clear up things at once and be a re-
Duke to his enemies.
Ruef is a stockholder in the corpor
alton which owns the theater and ac-
cording to the reports that actuate the
Grand Jury in probing the matter he
exerted his administration influence to
make a very satisfactory deal in the
purchase of shares
Those who have laid the matter be-
fore Foreman Lilienfeld promise sensa-
tionaI revelations. They allege that
Ruef will be placed in the light of
welding municipal authority to profit
his pocket. The theater must comply
with regulations that boards of the
city's administration enforce. and 1t is
charged against the attorney that he
used his influence with these boards to
compel the corporation TO allow him an
interest in the business.
The informants against Ruef are
strenuously after his scalp. They say
that when the agitation was on as a
result Of the Iroquois Theater disaster
in Chicago, to force showhouses to give
ample protection to their patrons from
fire, he took advantage OF the oppor-
tunity to get hold OF a block of stock
in the Baldwin Theater. 1t was given
him. A clerk in his office, II is further
alleged, has attended the meetings OF
the directors as his representative!
From the Ruef side comes the
statement that he paid the regular
price for his shares, merely venturing
into what looked to him to be good
business proposition. He was ap-
pointed attorney for the corporation,
and the assurance is made that there
is nothing in his connection with the
theater that will not bear the light of
day.
1t is charged. on the other hand,
that his services as attorney were
merely for subterfuge. the stock being
actually given to him.
so long as the theater complied
with all' the municipal regulations no
official In the city could modest our
business" said one of the stockhold-
ers last night. II cannot see for the
life of me what ground there is for
an investigation by the Grand Jury.
Ruef never had us in his power.
When the witnesses shall have told
their stories 1t will be plain that
there is nothing irregular. The men
who are so energetically In pursuit of
Abe Ruef's political scalp will find
that they have slipped cog. The in
quiry will come to naught. In fact, it
will result TO the advantage of Ruef
and the city's administration. because
II will set these ugly rumors at rest
A number Of the stockholders of
the Baldwin Theater were served with
subpenas yesterday to come before
the Grand Jury this afternoon
Among them are Charles Leonhardt
Jr.. who conducts saloon and cafe
at 1900 Market street, and W. E. Tiff
fanny. who manages the theater.
Grand Jurors who have been in
quiring into the affairs of the Schmitz
administration have been making in
dividual investigation Of the reports
concerning Ruef and the Baldwin
Theater. In behalf OF the Schmitz
administration II is alleged that the
chief aim OF the investigators Is to do
politics.
At eny rate. Ruef is to have a go
with the Grand Jury. or rather a ma
jority Of its membership. for there is
serious discord among the nineteen
citizens good and true over the politi-
cal aspect OF many OF the investiga-
tons.