The San Francisco call., 1905-06-08
MAESTRETTI JURY UNDER
GUARD BY COURTS ORDER
Alleged Attempt to Fix Members
Causes Drastic Measure.

Under questioning by Attorney Dib-
bic, Countryman declared that the only
conversation held in his Office on the
Wyman case took place in January, of
this year. IF Mr.. Maestretti or any
body else had attempted to induce a
witness to swear falsely I would have
stopped him." declared Countryman.
Under cross examination Attorney
Ferral drew from Countryman the ad-
mission that he and Maestretti had
been closely associated in politics. He
had been president of the United Re-
publican League, of which Maestretti
was the leading light.
Was not Maestretti managing the
defense of Wyman?" asked Ferral.
No." replied Countryman. He was.
of course. interested in it. though"
The cross-examination was inter-
rupted frequently by exchanges Of rep
artee between Ferral and Budd Budd
called Ferral his '1urid friend and
Ferral retorted with, Yes, my verbose
friend" These skirmishes continued
throughout the day.
AS Countryman was leaving the
stand Ferral asked. "Are you Dem
ocrat ~
NO." replied Countryman, 81 have
something to be thankful for
Attorney Ferral being Democratic
office holder, this. of course. caused a
litter, and Judge Lawlor warned the
audience that any further levity would
be punished. But Ferral continued to
provoke smiles.
FOSTERS RASH DECLARATION.
w. A. Foster. inspector at the pri-
mary election booth where Wyfnan
voted fraudulently. gave the same ver-
sion as Countryman of the conference
Under cross-examination by District
Attorney ByingtOn Foster became an
CRY. ''If had known what was doing
a man caught he snapped suddenly.
Immediately afterward he seemed to
regret this rash assertion and tried to
qualify it. They didn't do anything
while I was in the BOOTH"
Byington endeavored to trip Foster.
which drew some caustic remarks from
Budd. The Ex-Governor accused the
District Attorney of attempting to dis
tort the witness answers.
made use of the expression stand
pat" Are you standing pat?" asked
Byington suddenly.
II don't know what you mean" de-
c1ared Foster.
Innumerable witnesses were called
during the afternoon to testify to Macs
trettis character. Among them was
Treasurer John Il. McDougald. He was
at first 10th to appear as witness. but
finally consented.
Nearly all the others on cross-exami-
nation admitted that they had business
dealings with Maestretti personally or
with the Board of Public Works.
Maestretti was ordered into custody
after the District Attorney had rested the
case for the people When informed by
Deputy Sheriff Martin Welsh that he
was in custody he was at first enraged.
but finally decided to make the best
of 1t.
But the accused Commissioner of the
Board of Public Works turned shade
paler when he learned that he must
spend the night in the County Jail and
would have to remain there until the
trial was over His attorneys made an
effort to save him from this, but Judge
Lawlor pursued the same policy with
the accused Commissioner as he had
with Wyman, Steffens and Rebstock
The jury was taken to the Palace
Hotel in charge of Deputy Sheriff Mar
tin Welsh. The twelve men will be
closely guarded until the trial is over
No one will be allowed to talk to them
and communications they desire to
make must be made through Sheriffs
deputies.
The case will be resumed at 10
o'clock to-day.