The San Francisco call., 1905-03-24

supervisor Finn said:
/ take the same stand as Bent in this mat
the time and l know that all worked hard
to secure the low gas rate. But this matter
Is simply rot. 1t is the hue and cry OF some
sorehead who wants to get even. do not
see how any intelligent could possibly
take any stock In such story. for 1t is too
ridiculous on the face of it.
Supervisor Rea is indignant about
the whole matter, and he may seek re-
dress i'll the courts. He was not a mem
Der of the committee on lighting at the
time and his name was mentioned
through ignorance or malice. Rea said:
I do not see how they got my name mixed
UP in this affair. was not member Of that
committee at the time of the alleged scandal.
and know absolutely nothing about the affair.
! feel that l have, been wronged. though the
charge is absolutely without foundation. The
mention of my name the rankeSt kind or
a blunder.
Eggers is also sore over the affair.
and believes he is the victim of some
sort of conspiracy. He says the
whole thing is an outrage and a plot,
and absolutely devoid of truth. AL
pers and Lunstedt voice the senti-
ments of the others whose names are
mentioned in connection with the af-
fair, and both feel they have been
wronged by some unscrupulous per-
son who has a grievance against the
| board.
COURTS INVESTIGATION.
Supervisor Boxton has addressed
the following letter to the foreman of
the Grand Jury:
SAN FRANCISCO, March 49, 1905.
Hon. Thomas P. Andrews, Foreman of the
County Grand Jury-Dear Sir: Presuming that
you are cognizant of this mornings newspaper
publication relating to alleged bribery in the
Beard OF Supervisors in connection with the
regulation of gas rates, 1 wish to inform you
that it is my earnest desire and respectful de-
mand that you and your fellow grand jurors
Immediately take up such newspaper allega-
tions for searching investigation
To the public official whose course has been
guided only by the dictates of honest con-
science accusations of this character must
weigh heavily on his peace of mind and you
Will perhaps appreciate my motive in asking
Tor, nay, insisting, that my connection with
the recent gas rate ordinance be given as
early an inquiry as it is possible for your hon.
orable body to give.
At best the life of a public official who is
placed between the contentious of a burdened
people and a grasping corporation is not
pleasant one, but when malicious influences
seek to cast cdium on the man who has solely
done his duty think l justified in urging
a speedy investigation.
You will recall, perhaps, that corporation
punishment is ever ready for inhction on those
who run counter to corporate wealth and that
many an honest mans honest action has been
so distorted and twisted until it is falsely
made to resemble public crime.
My entire private life and my
public official for the past six years will bear
the strictest scrutiny, and to those who con-
strue my vote for 9O-cent gas as retaliation
for failure TO receive a bribe make emphat-
ic denial. of the charge and will offer every
facility for rigid examination.
THINKS RATE is JUST.
Statistics have shown that illuminating gas
be manufactured and proftably delivered
at 70 cents per 1000 feet, and after a reason
able valuation of the property of the San
Francisco Gas and Electric Company, l con-
sidered that the 90-cent vate not only fair
to the company. but just to the consumers.
Now as to vital point. 1t is stated that
the entire knowledge of this so-called conspir
acy is in the possession of ]. f. Lawless. for
merly manager of the company, who is now
at some unknown place abroad and that his
presence is necessary in order to secure indict-
ments of the officials alleged to be under sus
picion.
If you will permit me- Mr.. Foreman,
would suggest that you at once take steps to
secure the attendance of Mr.. Lawless before
your honorably body. l do not presume that
there are legal means of bringing him to San
Francisco should he be reluctant to come, but
unquestionably there moral reasons why
he should return, either to clear the cloud of
suspicion from wronGfully accused men to
bring punishment to the guilty.
We will concede that ". B. Bourn is law
abiding citizen, whose sole desire. apart from
increasing the income of his company. Is to
maintain the purity and holiness of public Of
ficials. He is quoted as declaring that Mr..
Lawless would be the most important witness
in this alleged conspiracy to secure bribes.
Now, Mr.. Andrews / ask that you summon
Mr. Bourn before the Grand Jury and endeavor
sary concerning the location of Mr.. Lawless.
and that Mr.. Bourn be pledged to urge the re-
turn Of Mr.. Lawless
Mr.. Bourn, public citizen, owes this to
the community.
BY Implication he has made charges against
FIVE Supervisors and it devolves upon him to
sustain them. To sustain them he needs Mr..
Lawless, 1t is declared, and no means should