The San Francisco call., 1906-10-29
ellis How Meeting
Was Arranged.

Editor of The Call: In view of the
statements appearing in the public
press regarding the formation of the
citizens committee, on behalf OF the
Potrero Commercial and Manufacture
ers' Association I desire to deny most
positively that Mr. Ruef arranged.
dominated or controlled the Union
Square mass meeting or the committee
that had charge of calling the same.
AS chairman of the preliminary meet
ing, in calling the same to order l made
a clean-cut and plain statement. which
was published in the press, and which
could not be miseonstrued On that
statement the committee stands. and is
ready to back up and sustain every
word of it.
Mr. Shortridge's presence at the pre-
liminary meeting was owing to the fact
that he had been employed as attorney
for the Potrero Commercial and Man
ufacturers' Association in drawing up
the articles of Incorporation. He was
not appointed member of the COM
mittee on resolutions. 1t was not
known to the committee thar he had
any affiliation with Mr. Ruef in any
shape, manner or form.
Neither MIR. Shortridge nor Mr.. Lii
ienthal had n voice in the selection of
Mr.. Doble as chairman Of the tnions
Square meeting, and the committee was
not dominated or controlled by them.
Before the Union Square meeting the
committee was Informed that an ele-
ment would be present FOR the purpose
of breaking up the said meeting, or to
create the impression that the said
clement controlled the meeting. 1t was,
therefore, decided to get through with
the necessary work of organization and
adjourn. Neither Mr.. Shortridge nor
Mr.. Ruef spoke at the meeting, 1t hav-
ing been adjourned. and their talks
were subsequent thereto and not q part
thereof.
No one has the right to asperse the
motives of citizens organizing these
meetings unless they have positive
knowledge OF the statements they
make. This they cannot have in this
instance; therefore, aspersions of this
kind are neither fair, right nor just,
and only assist in creating Impressions
wished for by those who are wronging
the city.
Mr.. Spreckels was offered. as stated
by him, the craftsmanship of said meet
ing, with autocratic powers in the ap-
pointment of the committee" This fact
alone would show the inconsistency of
the statements made. because no one
could have controlled Mr.. Spreckels
any more than they can control Mr..
Doble. who is now at work appointing
the committee OF 100, and who must
necessarily be responsible for its per-
sonnet Mr. Spreckels did not refuse
to connect himself with the committee.
but reserved his decision on this point.
He did say that he would have nothing
to do with the movement if 1t was to
be connected with the Citizens Alli-
ance or was a class movement, as he
particularly asserted that he was op-
posed to any movement that would
bring about class prejudice, and that
he had always held a1oof from such
things as being against the interests of
the people.
Labor organizations were not
ignored That some Of the labor lead
ers friendly to the administration
chose to think themselves ignored is
not surprising after considering the
action taken by them since that meet
ing. We do not believe that they rep
resent the rank and file of labor in
this city, who are interested and must
necessarily be interested in the city's
welfare 1t is evidently the purpose
to, create class prejudice by shouting
Citizens Alliancel's and thus cloud
the main issue raised by all Interested
In this movement
AS good citizens must, so the citi-
zens committee Will support and back
up Mr. Spreckels and others in all eF-
forts aimed to put a stop to the era
of corruption n san Francisco.
Our municipal Easernnient has been
long enough a byword of shame and
disgrace. and the time for action is at
hand. AS stated by me in calling the
preliminary meeting to order, 1t is.
time that moral cowarslice must cease
in our community, and that moral
courage and determination in the
right must take its place" 1t is time
that all men. who love our city unite.
for the common good and not play at
cross purposes. This is what the Po-
.trero Commercial and Manufacturers