The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-05
Keane Reveals Secrets OF the Administration
Supervisors Clerk and Members
of the Board Summoned
Lonergan Also Goes
Before the Grand
Jury

-NAA-E 81 HEA n ACDA1 anu IENA d
Keane, clerk OF the board, were sum-
moned yesterday afternoon by the
Grand Jury. Keane and Lonergan
were placed on the stand, while the
other eight waited anxiously without
only TO be excused later in the day.
They viii be recalled. however, later in
the week. Keane was subjected TO q
searching examination by Heney
for half an hour. Before he entered
the jury room he was suave and smil-
ing, addressing words Of cheer and
comfort 10 his companions. ct is moth
ing" Keane assured them, Z have been
before four grand juries and have
never been hurt"
When Keane emerged from the Jury
room he was greatly clustered. He had
been overwhelmed by the complete
knowledge Of the secrets Of the ad-
ninistratiOn displayed by Heney and
District Attorney Langdon. he sought
at once for the Supervisors whom he
had left waiting in the lobby. but they
had been conducted into another room
and communication with them was i'm
possible. Keane paced the floor nerv-
ously. He had been asked the nature
Of the Sunday caucuses held by the
board. he had been forced to admit
that Ruef dominated the meetings. that
the boss practically dictated to the
Supervisors how they should vote on
any measure Of Importance and finally
had been compelled 70 divulge some
OF the most carefully guarded secrets
OF the Schmitz regime.
CAUCUsES DISCUSSED
Kesne gave out a statement last
night in regard TO his appearance be-
fore the Grand jury. He said in part:
Heney asked me first Of all what
matters frzT q 90
the Supervisors last Sunday night 1
told him that three things were con-
sidered-the sale Of & franchise for a
street railway 10 run along Scott street
and 70 connect the Western Addition
with the Mission; the complaint. Of the
refugees against the payment OF rent
for cottages on city property, and an
ordinance TO. restrict the location Of
planning mills TO certain districts He
asked ne in what capacity Ruef at
tended the meetings and I said in the
capacity OF friend and adviser, as he
appeared before the Grand Jury. He
called attention TO the fact that
O'Grady was the attorney for the board
and / explained that his duties con
sisted in the preparation Of ordinances.
/ explained that the caUcuses were held
because the Supervisors desired to act
as unit in the public meetings and
that caucus decisions by general con-
sent were regarded as binding
He asked if the impending prosecu-
tions had been discussed at any Of
these conferences and explained that
the only reference was last Sunday
night, when the Supervisors offered
their cooperation TO Supervisor Mich
olas. I was then asked about the order
removing LangdOn. ] told the jury
What Ruef had suggested such a move
teso days before it was made, and had
suggested the appointment OF Heney In
Lsngdon's place / was surprised to
learn that Ruef was 10 be appointed.
but Gallagher. then acting Mayor, in
formed me that Ruef had expressed
wish TO be appointed. Heney asked
why Ruef had changed his mind, and
] said that I didn't know, as had not
seen him in the meantime.
Heney also asked why the Super
visors had given the city's legal print
ing TO the Post when its bid was higher
than that OF the Bulletin, and I an
swered that the board had not con
sidered the Bulletin a responsible
bidder"
Keane also stated that he had told
the Grand Jury that he would reserve
the right 70 refuse TO answer questions
which he considered immateriaI or
questions arising out OF conversations
with third parties.
ELdltls bdll EEdles L4l1L q SIP
Of any kind or an inaccuracy might
lay me open to an indictment for per-
jury. Heney said that he thought I
ought 10 answer all the questions
asked"
The line Of questioning, It was evil
dent, was for the purpose Of estab-
fishing that RUef was q party TO a
conspiracy TO interfere with the admin
istration OF the law.
LONERGAN QUESTIONED
Supervisor Lonergan was the wit of
the lobby during the early afternoon.
He TESTED with the reporters. poked
fun at his brother Supervisors and
roared with laughter over a cartoon
OF the Mayor in stripes. When he came
from the jury-room he had lost his
hippancy.
They asked me good many ques-
tons" said Lonergan. I told them
what I could remember and what I
couldn't remember I told them 1 had
forgotten. They asked me what went
on at the Sunday night caucuses and