The San Francisco call., 1906-10-11
WITH the slogan, This lawlessness must be stopped;
w the city be cleansed, the Potero Commercial
and Manufacturers Association considered plans yesterday for
driving criminals from San Francisco and prosecuting Abe Rue
Daily Crimes and Ruef's Methods
Arouse Business Community.
Movement Launched to Suppress Lawlessness
and Rid San Francisco of It's Boss.

Lawlessness Abe Ruef and the South
ern Pacific made up the three-toiu
theme that held the attention OF an
sssemblage of prominent representa-
tives or San Francisco's commerclal llIe
who gathered yesterday afternoon in
the offices of the California Canneries
Company, at Eighteenth and Minnesota
streets This lawlessness must pc
stopped; the city must be cleansed.
was the sentiment repeated again and
again by the speakers who addressed
the gathering Opinion was not divtded.
The members of the gathering were IN
complete accord and pledged their time
and money to the work OF driving the
vicious element from San Francisco and
restoring the city to it's own.
Running through the deliberations OF
yesterdays session was a current or de-
termination not to be mistaken. upon
the faces of the speakers was written
more than their words bespoke.
In the gathering were men who rep
resent some of the largest interests IN
San Francisco--J. A. McGregor, presf-
dent of the Union Iron Works; lsadore
Jacobs, president of the California Cam
neries Company; w. A. Doble OF the
Abner Doble Company Frank D. Mar
vim of the Taylor -Spottiswood COM
pany, ], w Barrett of the Wright Wire
Company, G. A. Buell. of the Buell. Con-
struction Company r. H. Postlethwaite
of the Risdon Iron Works, and others
identified with the commercial life or
the city In the group were men who
had fought and won many civic
battle.
SOCIETIES TO COOPERATE.
They do not Intend to fight alone.
They have carefully considered the sit
uation and have launched great pupiic
movement to put an end TO the Ills tnat
beset the city. Resolutions calling lor
the suppression of erin1e will be pre-
sented at a mass meeting in Union
square on Saturday afternoon for pub
lie ratification. 1t Is the intention to
name a committee of safety at that
time which shall direct the movement.
The methods OF the vigilance commit
tee will not be followed, but it is stated
that measures equally effective VIII De
adopted
The business community has been
stirred to action by the same eonditiens
that gave birth to the vigilance COM
mittee. Aroused by the long series OF
vicious crimes the insecurity or lie,
the impotence of the Police Depart
ment. and the blight upon the city, the
Potrero Commercial and Manufacturers
Association has taken the initiative TO
rid the city of its thugs and outlaws.
The association has called upon all the
bodies, the labor unions, the
church societies. the civic federations,
and even the womcns clubs, for CO.
operation. The response has been gen.
eral. The details are being prepared
and the movement will be publicly
launched on saturday
ABE RUFF DENOUNCED.
TWO elements have aroused sentiment
NIT
nitch-the tide of crime that is sweep
ing over San Francisco, and the spur
track ordinance. by which. it is said.
Ahe Ruef and the Southern Pacific nave
sought to control the city's industries.
these two factors have served as the
Aint and steel to strike the fire OF popu-
lar indignation. The smolderinS sent'-
ment was famed into flame at yester-
days meeting.
1essness." said the speaker, but 1t
suffers from Abe Ruef and the southern
Pacific. This is not q political issue
but Abe Ruef Is pulling San francisco
into fathomless depths. He has his
fingers locked on the ctty's throat ana
unless his grip is broken he Will
strangle It,.
That the action to be taken against
Ruef will not consist OF denunclauon
only was revealed when speaker drew
a parallel between the careers of Ruef
and Boss Tweed of New York. stating
that Tweed was sent to prison and
that San Francisco would soon hear
news that would startle it like q bomb
she'll"
1t developed that this had reference
to a, secret inquiry which has been set
or foot with the intention of rounding
out Ruef's career after the manner OF
Tweed 1t was stated that enough
evidence had been secured by the
legal bureau of the association to con-
vince the members that conditions were
ripe for the prosecution of the little
boss.
SPUR TRACK JOKER.
Ever since the joker was injected
into the spur track ordinance the nler-
chants have been hot on Ruef's trail.
It is claimed that the spur track deal
was so brazen that no one can be
blind to it's full Significance.
The ordinance as originally drawn,
provided that all spur tracks should
serve as common carriers; that is. that
railroads could obtain franchises for
spur tracks on the city's streets only
on condition that the tracks be open
for use by all lines. This suited the
merchants and provided for compe-
tition.
The ordinance came before the Su-
pervisors and a delegation Of business
men was on hand to urge its passage
The Supervisors received word from
Jere Burke, the political agent of the
Southern Pacific Company. however,
that he desireds to appear before the
board in opposition to the ordinance
and that he therefore reqyested post
DOnemQnt The patter was put OF
week.
At the end of that time the mer-
chants again urged that the ordinance
be passed, but the Supervisors again
postponed action for week to hear
from Burke. When Burke did not ap-
pear at the end of that period the
SUPERVISORS. in an "ultlmatnm," gave