The San Francisco call., 1905-06-13
STILL PROBING
SMITH SCANDAL
Grand Jury After Alleged
Conspiracy Behind the
Story of First Shortage
CALLS MANY WITNESSES
Andrews Runs Down Reports
That Municipal Employees
Are Being Held Up
CALLS MANY WITNESSES

The Grand Jury yesterday resumed
its efforts to trace the conspiracy be-
hind the alleged shortage of $165,000
reported to have been made by Edward
j. Smith. the defaulting Tax Collector,
who is now serving a term at Folsom
Prison.
H Rosenfeld, Louis Rosenfeld and J..
=. wilson, coal dealers and members
of the Western Fuel Company. and Ar
thur L. Black. cashier of the London
and San Francisco Bank, were called as
witnesses. They were closely ques-
toned by Foreman Andrews, Juror
Bundschu and Assistant District Attor-
ney Harris
The jury was busy the entire day on
variety of other matters. Reports
have reached Foreman Andrews that
many municipal employees have been
held up for portions of their weekly
salaries. Eight of those supposed to be
forced into contributing to a corruption
fund were called. but all denied the re-
ports. Those examined on this. point
were ]. F. Stuart, Joseph A. Fitzpat-
rick, D.. j. Gordon, "A. G. Knight, w.
Greenblatt. j. P. Roseman, w. H. Abra-
ham and ]. NJ. Copus.
Fitzpatrick, when called to testify
before the committee. said that he
would not talk unless the full Grand
Jury were present. and refused to be
sworn. Il stand on my rights as an
American Citizen" he declared. But at
the afternoon meeting Fitzpatrick told
all that he knew, which was very lit
tie.
One of the letters received by Fore
man Andrews alleged that ]. Homan,
a foreman at the Almshouse. was being
held up for $50 month -Homan was
formerly an elevator inspector in the
employ of the Board of Public Works.
George Keene, the Mayors secretary.
was called.
He declared that Homan had prom
ised teamster In the employ Of the
Board of Public Works a job for s110,
and had collected the money. This
matter, .Keene testified. had come to
the notice of the Mayor, who ordered
that Homan make restitution. The s25
month was collected for this purpose.
The Weber Music Hall. constructed
in the building where the Terrace
Gardens Restaurant was formerly con-
Quoted, was under investigation. In
formation in the possession of Fore
man. Andrews shows that the place is
being run in violation of the ordi-
nances
Inspector Fitzsimmons of the Board
of Public Works, declared that the
place should be condemned as being un-
safe. When City Architect Shea was
called to explain why the resort was
given a permit he declared that the
was that 1t was to be
run as a restaurant. The Grand Jury
will close the theater.
Tax Collector Scott and Cashier Cur
taz of the tax Office were examined in
regard to several theaters which are
being run without a license. These re-
sorts hold receipts from Edward j.
Smith, but there is no record of their
having obtained licenses. The Grand
Jury is as yet undecided as to what
action should be taken in their cases.
Treasurer John E. McDougald was
called in reference to the money col
lected on inheritance taxes. There is
in the treasury between $1,000 and
$4,000 of this money. Though the
State law sanctions It's collection
charter provision declares 1t illegal.
McDougald says the money will not be
touched until the matter is settled in
court.
Scott and Curtaz promised to give
the Grand Jury all the assistance in
their power in regard to the theaters.