The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-08
Playhouses Under the Dominance
of SChmltZ and Abe Ruef
Theater Managers
Appear Before
Grand Jury

II was matinee day yesterday in the
Grand Jury Investigation, Actors
managers and booking agents of the
local theaters were called as witnesses.
II was shown that, with one exception
none OF the places Of amusement COM
ply with the building laws or fire or
dinances.
II also developed that Ruef or a close
personal friend OF his holds an interest
in almost every playhouse now in
operation in San Francisco. While no
manager would admit that he paid
money TO Ruef. it was stated by wit
nesses that the administration eNer-
cised such powerful control over the
theatrical business in the city that no
enterprise could hope to succeed if it
incurred the emnity Of Ruef. The
Grand Jury will continue 10 inquire to
learn how these friends of Ruef Sc
cured their interests in local theaters.
Twenty witnesses were summoned
yesterday and fourteen gave testimony.
Among those who took the stand were
two young women Miss Gertrude
Plum Of the National Theater- and Miss
Roselle OF the Novelty Theater. Neither
one could furnish evidence OF import
ance, but they smiled pleasantly upon
tho jurymen and gave cheer to what.
was otherwise a dismal dav.
IT was brought out that Charles
AsconEGTOI. an 2llnlElSL -1LllOu pet. owns
stock in the Novelty Theater; that
Zfck Abrams, whose poolrooms at Ellis
and Powell streets long ran by grace
OF administration favor. owns so per
cent OF the shares Of the National.
and II VIII be shown later that Marcus
Blum. the Mayors messenger, owns an
interest in the Empire. The develop
ments OF yesterday explain why the
theatrical managers fell over each
other in their desire to supply talent
for the Schmitz reception at Dream
land skating rink.
MAYOR IN CONTROL
The testimony taken yesterday
would indicate that Mayor Schmitz
and Abe Ruef had theatrical trust
Of their own in San Francisco After
the FIRE the Mayor took unto himself
the sole power Of granting theatrical
permits Others might build as they
desired, but the theatrical managers
had TO consult the Mayor. Schmitz
carefully went over the plans of every
amusement enterprise. re inquired as
10 the stockholders, the amount of
capital invested and acquainted him
self with every detail Of each propo-
sition. To only the favored few. how
ever, die ne give the stamp Of his ap-
prevail
after such approval the theaters
blossomed forth and in their direc-
torates Were generally very close
friends OF the administration. Tents
Ehacks and any old thing did for a
theater as long as the Mayor was
satisfied. These building permits were
temporary and revocable at any time
but none Of them have been canceled
c. ". Kolb and Max Dill were among
the witnesses yesterday They stated
that they had no interest in the Cen
tral Ineater, where they, played, but
appeared on q percentage agreement
Dill was questioned at length as to the
troublesome roof on the playhouse
What do you know about the roof?"
he was asked.
Abraham or the one on top Of the
theater?" he inquired.
He later explained that the manage
ment had begun the construction Of an
!ron roof, but was constantly inter
TUpted in the work by President Duffey
Of the Board Of Public Works. After
II became known that the Grand Jury
intended to investig gate civic conditions.
OH said, the Interruptions ceased. NJ.
II. Dodge and F. F. Howell. proprietors
Of the Central Theater corroborated
this testimony. They added that they
had never paid Ruef for protection.
Both stated that they had heard that
other theatrical men were held up.
T. Friece and Mrs. Friede of the
Mission Theater denied that they had
paid tribute TO any one.
STOCK FOR RUEF'S FRIEND
Archie Levy. booking agent. who
IS associated with Sam Loverich and
Tony Lubelslzi Of the Novelty and Lyric
theaters. also gave testimony He was
followed by LOverich, Lubelski and J.
z. DAILY. auditor for the Novelty and
Lyric. The books Of the Novelty Thea
ter We're produced and a close scrutiny
made 10 learn how the stock had been
distributed. In the Novelty Company
are $4,000 shares of stock. OF this,
% 900 shares are held between Lover
fch- and Lubelski. The other 1000 are
owned between a man named Lust and
Charles Leonhardt
The Grand jury was not fully salts
fed. and viii resume the investigation
on this point next Tuesday. Leon