The San Francisco call., 1904-10-28
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at the meeting of the jury next Thurs
day, and he hopes then to have ma
jority of the members with him. 1t
looks however, as If it will devolve
upon the Merchants Association to
prosecute the Commissioners If they are
to be prosecuted. The association has
announced that it would do so if the
efforts of the jurors were not success
full.
w. S. LEAKE TESTIFTES.
1t was in no harmonious mood that
the investigation was resumed or the
charges that Abe Ruef Shock down"
the corporation owning the BALDWIN
vaudeville showhouse for 798 shares of
its stock W. S. Leake, who was one
of the promoters of the place of amuse-
ment had been relied on as the most
important witness, but 1T developed
that he had had no dealings with the
intimate friend of the Mayor. Leake
could tell nothing of the alleged use OF
influence by Ruef with the Board of
Public Works that had not been told
him by a third person.
The witness explained that he went
to Los Angeles to negotiate with
Baldwin for the lease of the theater, 1t
having been agreed that he should have
a third interest in the business for per-
forming this service. His partners were
w. u. Tiffany and Charles Leonhardt
Jr. The place was being fitted up when
work was stopped by order or the
Board of Public Works. Tiffany, who
was manager, complained that he could
make no headway toward getting fav-
orable consideration from the Works
Department, the building of the audi
torium and stage being stepped three
times, and finally the witness advised
him to see Ruef about it. The ques-
ton of obtaining permit for the place
also presented difficulties.
Tiffany went to see the lawyer and
returned with the statement that Ruef
wanted a half interest in the show
house to take hold of the matter. Tiff
fany saw the attorney second time to
ascertain If he would not accept a cash
consideration. But the manager came
back to Leake with the explanation
that Ruef said he preferred to have the
stock and, Furthermore, demanded that
Leake be forced out of the company.
TIFFANY MADE THE DEAL.
The result was that Tiffany gave
Ruef 45 per cent of the stock. The
manager had said he was compelled
to yield this up, when he explained
that he could let Leake and Leonhardt
have only small interests. Realizing
that the enterprise would be defeated
because of Ruef's personal hostility to
the witness, Leake sold his shares and
severed his connection with the COM
pany In the light Of recent develop
ments, he told jury. he was glad
to be out of the corporation.
One of the jurors asked Leake if he
had any charges to make against Ruef
and the witness answered that he had
none. He Furthermore denied having
instigated the investigation by the
Grand Jury.
Manager Tiffany was called but he
only reiterated his former statements.
to the effect that he sought out Ruef
to sell the stock to him, for the reason
that he thought the attorney would
make good business partner Leon
hardt was also recalled He admitted
that when he did not receive the 666
shares that he expected and got only
146, he made complaint to Tiffany. The
managers explanation was that that
was the best he could do for the wit
ness.
Robert y. Duke. who was formerly
Tiffany's attorney, was subpenaed, but
he refused to divulge professional con-
fidences. Tiffany was called before
the jury and asked to allow the lawyer
to give testimony concerning all mat
ters connected with the theater The
manager consented and Duke was
again placed on the stand. He said
that Tiffany told him that Ruef had
stood him up" for so per cent of the
stock in the theater, and that As per
cent was a compromise. The witness
advised him strongly not to submit to
the exaction, but Tiffany's reply was:
"Oh, l am satisfied l will have to do
something for them. and l may as
we'll do it now" The manager had
further explained that the Board of
Public Works was interrupting the