Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-18
STAIN OF CRAFT ON CHARITY
DisappsarGnoe Of Funds Contributed for
the Relief Of San Francisco.
FEDERAL OFFICERS START INVESTIGATION
Riot of Municipal Graft Under the
Grand Jury SearchIight-Relief
work of the knights OF
Columbus.

There is reason TO fear that San Fran
cisco is on the threshold of an upheaval
of administrative dishonesty as shocking
and distressing to the country as the
siesmic tragedy Of April Is. That awfu
aff1icton touched a sympathetic chord II
every true heart and induced outpOur-
ing of bounty more than sufficient to sue
cor the needy. In promptness and munif-
icence the country's response to the call
Of the stricken city surpassed any simila!
draft on the peoples bounty in the history
Of the nation. No one, in contributing to
the fund, gave a thought as to the man
ner of distribution. Immediate relief of
the homeless was the inspiration That
the funds and supplies would be distributed
| honestly among those in need was taken
for granted. To assume the contrary would
have been an Impeachment of the citizen
ship of the Golden Gate. Yet the passing
months developed many incidents showing
favortism, greed, waste in distribution and
extravaganza. These conditions however,
although provoking sharp criticism, were
regarded as evils inseparably connected
with the disposal of public charity and
did not bring discredit on the work of the
relief committee. The ends sought were
attained That was sufficient.
! More serious than any charge heretofore
which warrants the fear that coming rev.
Citations regarding the diversion of relief
funds will shock the country and indellbly
smirch the doubly afflicted city. The in
vestigaton undertaken at the instance of
President Roosevelt indicates that vast
sums of money received through the mails
and from express companies have not been
accounted for. At least the missing money
did not reach those charged with the dis
tribution of relief, and the Inference is
that several persons in high station
pocketed the money. It Is said 100000
has disappeared in this way. Meanwhile
the investigation is proceeding with
energy and determination. II the results
justify the forecast Of the dispatches it is
safe to predict that the federal courts will
send the grafters over the road in hurry.
The punishment will NJ the crime.
The Grand Jury's Probe.
Under the direction Of District Attorney
Laugdon and his assistant, Francis j,
Heney, the grand jury Of San francisco
has begun it's inquiry into the conduct OF
city officials. This inquisition is related
TO the alleged robbery Of the relief fund
but it's scope IS much wider and deeper
II involves Mayor Schmitz, Acting Mayor
Gallagher, the Board Of Supervisors, the
Police Board and Abe Ruef, political boss
the real dictator Of the city. Charges OF
bribery, extortion and purchased protec
tiou of crime have been made against these
officials and all the power they could
exert was brought into play to prevent
judicial inquiry, but in vain The attemp
TO strangle or control the grand jury trans
formed public suspicious OF wrongdoinl
into public conviction that the charges
have solid foundation. The charge, even 4
only half true, constitute a riot Of graft
The privilege Of changing the street rail
ways from cable to electric power is sal,
TO have cost the company $4,000, O.
which sum 1000 was divided among tn
supervisors. The telephone company wa
obliged to hand over a tidy sum, estimated
at 100000 for certain concessions, whlcl
Ruef was employed to secure, Permit
for temporary buildings and some perma
, nent, cost much more than the law re
qulred, and from this source, the Sa
Francisco Cali says, the grafters realize
nearly 5000 Graft and extortion extende
. down every line OF administrative work
2 embracing saloons, breweries, restaurants
{ Chinatown and the tenderIoin-every busi
! ness subject TO license, It is charged, wa
obliged to contribute 10 the tainted wealt
| Of the controlling officials. From con
a parative poverty Abe Ruef has iumpe
70 into the millionaire class and no oper
; eyed San Franciscan stops 10 ask, "WheI
did he get IT." They know or suspec
Mayor Schmitz Is said TO have accumu
lated a fortune IN a few years the create
: part Of IL flowing from the disaster q
h last April He Is enjoying himself IN IL
! rope at present. Minor grafters pro.
i pered proportionately.
I The purpose Of the grand jury Is 10 do
termine who got the money and how mucl
4 The district attorneys office entertains n
d doubt on this point. For months past @,
= pert secret service men have been on N
tran Of the grafters, and Il only remain