The San Francisco call., 1905-05-27
Grand Jury Has Proof That
City Was Robbed by Two
Rings of Grafters and
May Spring a Sensation
SMITH COULD PUT
MANY BEHIND BARS
Foreman Andrews Declares
That if Convicted EmbeZ-
zler Would Talk Earth
quake Would Shake Town

The evidence collected by Foreman
Andrews of the Grand jury as to the
conspiracy behind ex-Tax Collector
smith was laid before District Attorney
BytnEtOn yesterday. So startling are
some of the "pecuIfaritfes," as Andrews
terms them, tn the Treasurer's Office
and the tax ONCE that the District At
torney has advised the foreman 10 keep
the details quiet until the evidence is
complete.
There is proof, according to the fore
man Of the Grand Jury. that the city
has been robbed by two rings OF graft
ers, one working in the City Hall, the
other outside. The names Of most of
the members Of both gangs are known
10 the Grand Jury and the entire plot
will be laid bare in a few days. More
than one office-holder will be indicted.
Foreman Andrews is not convinced
that Devote cashed the S15,590 check
for Smith. Just after his return to San
Francisco the defaulter admitted hav-
ing received the money, but he denied
il TO Detective Wren while on the way
here.
.If Smith would talk said Foreman
Andrews, .'fhere would be an earth
quake in this town. He could drag
many more 10 prison.
There is a chance that when the de-
faulter has been few months in Fol-
som he may talk. 1t is thought that
when he has worn the convict garb for
a while and realizes that he, who was
only one OF a gang, is the only one pun
ished he may want TO have his fellow
crooks made to share his fate.
Foreman Andrews laid his evidence
before the District Attorney in the
presence Of Expert Douglas Young.
Byington said the evidence clearly
showed that two rings Of grafters had
been working the tax Office and the
Treasurer's Office. but he advised ST
lence until the evidence against each
Individual member of the gangs is
complete enough TO warrant convic-
tions
Although Smith, in the face OF convic-
tion for embezzling the city's taxes. pre-
tended that he was suffering the bitter
est repentance and was deeply grieved
for his sorrowing family, It has become
known that on the very eve Of preparing
for his long separation from his home
that is the night before he appeared be-
fore Judge LaElor to plead guilty to his
thefts-he kept an appointment with the
notorious Leona Brooks in an O'Farre1
street restaurant. To Leona Brooks, the
former denizen Of an Ellis street house,
Smiths downfall was partly ascribed,
and yet after begging forgiveness from
his family for the offenses he had com
mitted against his wife and their chill
dren Smith secretly went to the OFar-
rel street restaurant and there met
Leona Brooks, who had preceded him 10
The place.
This fact is known 10 the Grand Jury,
whose members had the ex-Tax Collector
under surveillance until the hour Of his
conviction. and TO members of the Pink
erton Detective agency, who were also
closely trailing the oisgraced official
Smith and the Brooks woman remained
81 the restaurant several hours, during
which they drank wine and partook of
the choicest viands and delicacies, as they
had done often before. when Smith, un-
discovered in his peculations, was lavish
ing the taxpayers coin upon Leona
Brooks and her predecessor in his affec-
ton, Lillian Leslie.
IT was the last sumptuous meal that
Smith had-the last he will have until
he is liberated from the State prison,
20 which he is expected to go to-mor-
row. and seemingly he made merry
over the fact. While in the company
OF Leona Brooks Smith forgot his wor-
ries and laughed and joked as if the
morrow was TO bring him freedom in
stead Of carrying him closer 10 a fell
on's cell The walters recognized him
and he returned their greetings with a
smile. It was well along in the morn
ing hours when Smith and his COM
panion parted, bidding each other fare
well. AS he made his exit from the
place Smith little suspected that the
detectives were awaiting him and
that they followed him TO his home.
Leona Brooks later left the restaurant
and returned to her abode. apparently
more deeply affected by the fate that
awaited the man that had lavished his
money upon her than was the closely
watched embezzler.
detective employed by the Grand
Jury is keeping close tab on Smiths
visitors at the County Jail