The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-14
'CI1Y'S COIN
MERCY Of
BOLD GANG
Defaulter Is Taken
From Train by
Andrews.
Grand Jury Foreman Obtains
Startling CleW While
in Los Angeles.
Official Hopes to Obtain Names of
ConspiratOrs From the Dishonest
Ex-Tax Collector.

BAKERSFIELD, May 13.-Edward J.
Smith, the defaulting Tax Collector,
was taken from the Santa Fe train at
Needles, where he was questioned by
Foreman Andrews of the Grand Jury
and Ralph Smith, vice president of the
National Surety Company. Andrews
believes that Smith is only one OF, a
gang of conspirato tors that has been
Systematically robbing the city of San
Francisco for years. He hopes that
Smith. who is broken-spirited and
nervous, may tell who the conspirators
are. The National Surety official is
certain that the defaulting Tax Col
lector has cached some of his loot. and
will make strong endeavor to sweat
the information of it's whereabouts out
OF him. The prisoner is upon the verge
of collapse, and it is reported that he
had to be assisted from the train. The
efforts of Andrews and the surety COM
pany man may result in a startling
confession.
Andrews and Ralph Smith intended
to meet the train conveying the de-
faulter at Barstow and to have him
taken off at Bakersfield, but the train
was eight hours late and they decided
TO meet him at Needles. While in Los
Angeles Foreman Andrews obtained
what he thinks a valuable clew to what
became of the thousands Smith stole
After he had consulted Detective Ed
Wren, who has charge of the prisoner,
ho 70
extraordinary proceeding of permitting
the prisoner to be interviewed.
When he first started from St. Louis
Smith declared that he wanted to face
the music, and he assumed a CHASTITY
attitude of bravado. But as he was
hurried toward the city he disgraced
his questionable courage oozed away.
He was unable to sleep. Above the
rattle of the rails he must have heard
the sobbing of broken hearted wife,
the voice of his child, the complaints
of the friends he had betrayed and the
gibes of those who used to call him a
good fellow. He realized in those sleep
less nights that the entire city that
once honored him was turned against
him and that he was criminal.
The assertion that he once uttered,
MY brothers will get me out of this"
seemed to be forgotten. He never ut
tered that hope after he left st. Louis.
He seems to realize that he is return
ing home to disgrace and prison stripes.
One of the questions that Foreman
Andrews will ask him Is a complete ex-
PLANTATION of the alleged shortage of
$165, 900. The foreman has often ex-
pressed skepticism regarding this story
and will press Smith hard on that
point. Smith will be brought home on
the California express, which will ar
rive in San Francisco about midnight |
tomorrow night. Detective Wren of |
San Francisco and Detective Carter of |
the Pinkertons will accompany him
The pair have been watching |
him carefully all the way. 1t was
thought that he might make an at
tempt on his life. But the shrinking
criminal has made no effort in this di-
rection so far. Smith and his inquisi-
tors are closoeted in q room in the |
Railroad Hotel at Needles No mercy
will be shown the prisoner in the ques-
tioning.
LOS ANGELES. May BE. j.
Smith. the defaulting San Francisco
Tax Collector. is due here at 1925
o'clock tomorrow. the Santa Fe Of
ficials says.