The San Francisco call., 1905-04-03
READY To WAR
ON POOLROOMS
Grand Jury and Its Allies
Prepare for the Crusade
That Is to Close Them
ALL SEEM QUITE EAGER
Condition of Affairs Deepens
Puzzle Regarding Disposal
of the Corruption Fund

The Grand Jury will honor the pool
rooms with the largest part OF it's at
tentiOnS this week, ii Indications are
not misleading. The sellers OF the
I slips that investors tOndly believe viii
be the foundation of their fortunes are
not unmindful of the honor to be con-
ferred upon them. and a great lull IN
the placing of bets is noticeable Men
commissioned to gather evidence have
been hard at work for some days
though, and the members OF the in
quisirorial body expect to have sOnIe
important material to work with when
they get down TO the real labor OF in
vestigating the booksellers
One, Of the most important questions
before the Grand Jury Is who received
the money it is declared was con-
tributed by the booksellers and others
TO put bandage over the eyes or the
law? While no names are given. II is
apparent into whose hands money so
raised would be placed to purchase
that for which 1t was intended. and
therefore 1t Is pretty apparent toward
whom the Grand Jury is reaching II
its strivings TO land those who gave
the protection.
AS in the case of Chung. the China
man accused of passing out the brtbe
money to Sergeant Ellis, indictments
over this alleged corruption fund Will
be difficult. as there is no corroborative
evidence. all those who know the facts
being parties to the collections and re-
ceipts.
The disclosures on this subject as
far as they go. however. have made
some people nervous, and they ara
wondering just how much the Grand
Jury knows about the collection and
payment of the money and how much
information will be carried to that
body, now that the matter has been
opened up. There are many citizens
who remember things when a cru
sade is commenced, and their con-
science troubles them until they unload
what they know where IL Will do the
most purifying Facts from sources OF
this sort are likely to get into the
some who have felt themselves safe
In fact, IL looks like more voluntary
testimony was coming forward each
day. some Of it valuable. some of it
weak. for new tales of corruption seem
10 come into possession of the Grand
Jury constantly. How many citizens
who know things are lying around
with their consciences troubling them
is question quite interesting Just now
to a number of office holders. who have
not let any alfalfa go unmOwed while
they have been serving the public.
Another thing that is bothersome TO
officials and others who have been on
easy street is that the present Grand
Jury doesn't seem to lose enthusiasm.
The ennui that is usually expected to
develop in such bodies right after the
first burst OF glory seems to be de-
layed in this case. The Jurors ap-
parently get more interested the fur
ther they go. and then they have
started on so many propositions that
nave hung more or less prominently
before the public eye that they cannot
well stop until they have accomplished
something to show that what has zona
before Is not all smoke.
IL Is admitted by members OF tha
jury that the hope OF proving that
Works Commissioner Maestretti was
behind the offer OF $500 to Merrill to
leave town and not testify against hirr.
IS dim, but there has been no cessa-
ton or efforts to establish the fact
With the Police Judges. the Polio.
Department and the Grand Jury work.
Ing as allies II looks as II there was
a hot time In store for the poolroorna
during the week An attempt on the
part or any OF its allies to fall dowrs
viii probably be noted by the Grand
Jury and receive attention. The eaear.
ness OF all who have authority In such
matters to get into the crusade rnakeI
the problem OF where the alleged corr
rupt1on money went all the NOR
puzzling.