The Washington herald., 1906-11-24

tion-Nayor Is Not Arrested.
New York. Nov. 23.-When the steamer
Patricia. from Hamburg. anchored inside
the Narrows this morning, Eugene Z
Schmitz, mayor of San Francisco, saw
his likeness on the front page of a paper
which the quarantine doctor brought on
board. and learned for the first time that
he had been indicted by grand jury at
home on charges Of extortion in Office. The
indictments had been filed the day after
the boat left the German port, and there
was no wireless apparatus on board.
The reporter came out on a-revenue cut
ter an hour later. The mayors eyes were
brimming and his face was drawn about
the corners Of the mouth His wife tried
to hide her tears
Il didn't expect it. said the mayor. It
was a great shock 70 rae 20 read that I
was accused Of crime just ct the time Of
my homecoming. 1 cannot get back to
Sah Francisco quick enough. I want TO
clear my name Of the stain that has been
placed upon IT,"
Restaurants Pay S5,525.
Schmitz sailed from Hamburg in re-
sponse 10 the urgent appeal Of Ruef, the
san Francisco boss. with whom ne has
been indicted on five identical counts
which charged extortion Of large sums
from the proprietors Of three notorious
French restaurants By threats Of revOca-
ton Of their licenses. Between January
Is. 1904, and February C. 1896. the indict-
ments charge the proprietors Of the
Poodledog, Marchands and Delmonico's s
paid into the hands Of Schmitz and Ruei
S5.525
These three resorts, as all San Francisco
knew. were innOcent-faCed restaurants on
the ground floor with several stories Of
naGghtiueSs above. Twice the police COM
missioner had threatened 10 close them
up. and twice Abraham RUef had been
engaged by the restaurant pr0prietors as
the attorney" TO present the case before
that body.
To Face Accusers
II court the deepest inquiry into the
conduct Of my Office said the indicted
mayor to-day. III there is any suspicion
Of graft attaching TO me. I want 20 have
the matter probed 90 the bottom. and 1
Will be eager 10 face my accusers at the
bar
"The charges that have been brought
against me are absolutely false and
grcundless. deny the truth Of each one
Of them This action. taken against me in
my absence. is simply "a political move.
aimed by my enemies ia san Francisco
against my good name and whatever pres
tige I may have gained in nay three sue
cessive terms of Office.
This is why ] say it is politics that has
inspired this move. The present district
attorney of San Francisco. William II.
Iaugdou. Was a candidate for governor OF
the State on the Independence League
ticket. lie was defeated. ] have been
mentioned as strong possibility for the
goyerno5suip at some future date. Lang
don and his supporters arc afraid of me-
They want me discreditcd. There you
have The inspiration Of this whole dirty
deal
Favors French Restaurants.
when I was in Europe a representative
Of Hir. Hearst came TO me and said Nj
Hearst had cahlcd 90 him To- have 10,
cable TO the working people of New York
state to support 0lT. Hearst 7 told the
representative that ! would neither say
anything for Nr Hearst nor against
him"
What has been your attitude toward
the French restaurants
Just this. These restaurants have
been I'm san Francisco for nifty years
They are said TO be the best In the couu-
try and they should be allowed 10 stay
When they wanted 10 close them Up
told the police commissioner publicly
mind YOU. ] didn't so below board, bat
publicly told him tAat these place.
should Doe granted licenses and above,
TO go on"
Wasn't Boss Ruef engaged as thch
counseI?
Won't Cast on Rucf.
eyes. And he has been my counse
since I entered politics Because of this
ny enemies cried graft I have known
/ Mr. Ruef for twenty-five years. and
have never known him to do a dishones
act.
"He has helped ne to be elected thre,
/ times TO the office 7 hold He has Spen
/ his money and devoted his time 10 thi
/ end. 1 viii not desert him just becaus
| people say l should.
There is talk Of Craft in conneCtioI
/ with the relief fund
Il never had anything TO do with th'
relief money. The committee. of whici
/ Mr. Phelan was chairman. had entir'
charge of that. and are responsible.
Scbmitz Not Arrested.
Schmitz was not arrested when d,
stepped off the gang plank. Reports from
/ San Francisco had said that ex-chief o
/ the United States Secret Service, William
/ J. Burns. who has been unearthing the ev
/ idence against the San Francisco Eraftcrs
would have detectives at the wharf G,
/ keep Schmitz in sight and ride with hin
/ on the train TO the West. II was said tha
/ because of the presence OF Mrs. Schmit
+ he would have the courtesy of freedom
while being kent under the stTictest sur
/ veilauCe
The mayor was greeted by a number o
/ California friends. and his brother Her
bert. According to Mayor Schmitz's an
nouncement. he viii leave for the Coas
some time tomorrow.