The San Francisco call., 1906-10-25
Gallagher Is Pondering Over Move to
Dust Langdon From Office.
Continued From Page 1, Column 8.


day evening with the administration
boss was likewise made known to the
prosecuting officials and complete list
Of those present furnished.
stick close" is the order Burns has
given the men under his charge, and
no man can escape from the merciless
net only the ferry to San Quentin"
is the phrase Of the relentless sleuths.
In contravention of the vigorous
campaign Heney and Burns are wag-
ing the administration men announce
they are preparing. under the leader
ship Of Abraham Ruef, to open up
some lively batteries. They viii not
only be on.the defensive but will them
selves engage in aggressive prosecu-
tion. What their plans are they will
not tell The most important move in
contemplation is the removal of Dis
trict Attorney Langdon on the ground
that he is neglecting his duties in go
ing abroad in the State to make his
campaign for Governor.
Heney is endowed with powers of a
prosecuting official through his ap-
pointment by Langdon as an assistant.
The removal of the District Attorney
accomplished Heney would be shorn of
his authority. An administration ap-
pointee could seriously hinder any
prosecution Of it's adherents.
81 have not decided yet whether I
shall remove Langdon, said Acting
Mayor Gallagher last night Wen wait
q day or so to see what we viii do"
added the acting Mayor. His manner
indicated that il was very probable that
he would take the STEP
The administration is very bitter to-
ward Langdon and will certainly re-
move him if it can see its way clear to
do so. The matter of policy in the
present eEigency alone stands in the
way. Public opinion is the factor that
IS feared
Ruef is doing no more talking for
public print, but ii is known that he
has declared that 'Iangdon ought to
be removed" He insists that he is not
directing the course of the acting
Mayor, but Gallagher in his brief in
terview spoke significantly IN TIC plu-
raj
The charter provides that the Mayor
may suspend any elective officer for
cause. He must give notice to the
Board Of Supervisors and custer lies
with that body. The members of that
body are the sole judges Of the fact.
and with the majority Of the board still
faithful to the administration Langdon
WOulQ UDl u6SllOudDA. DC LONuu AlAls
of any charges Gallagher might make.
Under this condition Of affairs the
administration seems to have control
OF the situation But such action might
be Interpreted by the public as a con-
fession Of guilt or otherwise make
matters worse. So Gallagher is wait
ing "a day or So to decide what he
viii do.
Heney refused to discuss this start
,r, al nT
hdence that no trouble is TO be looked
for.
Appeal could be taken to the courts
10 review the action of the Board Of
Supervisors in such an event. but this
interference would be a serious obsta-
Gle TO the prosecution. The delays
that would be entailed might be disaS-
trous to the work of Heney and Burns.
The suggestion of my removal is too
absurd for me to talk about It. said
District Attorney Langdon. The fact
is that he has no defined idea as 10
what could be done to thwart such a
purpose of Gallagher The prosecut-
ing officials are exhibiting no alarm,
however. for they think il will be time
enough to concern themselves about 1t
when the acting Mayor ventures the
step, if he has the hardihood to do it.
Heney and Burns have sealed their
mouths absolutely and will not even
discuss the remotest phase Of the case.
The only new feature learned yester-
day Of the confessions Of members OF
the Board Of Supervisors as to the
boodling in connection with the United
Railroads trolley deal was that Agent
Burns made his beginning in the work
in encountering a Supervisor who hap
pened to be in his cups. The saloon
bar led to the loosing of the mans
tongue and he told all Of the sensation
al story With this confession in his
possession Burns way was cleared ma
terially for a complete unearthing OF
the corruption
No word has come from Mayor
Schmitz. who is enjoying his tour of
Great Britain ignorant of the ugly
storm at home. Ruef is here alone TO
bear the brunt Of il, and IT must be
said for him that he bears an air OF
rare nonchalance. The dogging sleuths
have caused no nervousness that he be-
trays.
He was very angry for while yes
terday and was moved to swear to a
complaint charging r. A Crothers, pro-
prietor Of the Bulletin, with criminal
libel The case will come up In the
Police Court this morning. The ac-
cUsation is based on publication to
the effect that Ruef was scheming to
graft millions out Of the project to
provide a municipal water supply