The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1906-11-16
A MILLION STOLEN
POSTALMONEY SSENT
no MAYOR NEVER FIND
THEIR WAY TO QUAKE
SUFFERERS.

= ~ HA "A YIN ASD LIN 14N ~
THEIR WAYTOQUAKE
- SUFFERERS.
Roosevelt Prosecution-Heney on
Trail-Postal Orders Taken
United States Government
Intsrested-Other
News.
San Francisco, Nov. 15.-New
and sensational features have come
to light in connection with the graft
Investigation in this city. It Is
learned on good authority that the
relief funds for the fire sufferers
have been looted to the extent of
nearly 81, 10000 So indignant
was President Roosevelt, on hear.
/ ing of the stealing of the funds con-
tri6uted by sympathetic citizens of
various states for the relief of the
unfortunates of San Francisco, that
he is reported to have said that he
would bring the offenders from the
uttermost parts Of the earth should
they make temporary escape.
During the first days following
the fire ia San Francisco sympa-
thetic citizens throughout the
country forwarded relief moneys by
postal orders and by enclosing scrip
in envelopes and other packages.
The world not being acquai inted
with the organization Of relief bod
les in the city, forwarded financial
aid in care of Mayor Schmitz.
It is said amounts ranging from
so cents upward into hundreds and
possibly thousands of dollars were
sent to the mayor and that com.
paratively small sum only reached
the Red Cross or citizens relief
committee as shown by the records
It is estimated that the relief mon.
eys were forwarded through 1o,ooo
and possibly 10000 postofices o.
the United States and also that
considerable sums came through
the express companies.
The interest of President Roose
velt and the federal authorities ir
this affair has been so great tha
the president is credited with th'
statement that the government viii
expend 81 1000, 900 if necessary tt
unearth and bring the criminals tt
Justice.
Over loo -of the most expert op
eratives of the secret service depart
ment have been at work among tn,
) postof6ces of the Union and in thi
city tracing money orders and re
ceipts. The crime of forgery is sai'
to be included In the offenses Q
the raiders of the relief contribu
tions.
: William J. Burns, one of tn
most expert and successful detec
tives in the employ of the govern
ment /, cetailed to work in Sa
Francisco. Francis J. Heney, VIII
with Burns was engaged in prose
cutting important land fraud case
I of Oregon and California, was dc
| tached from that work and assigne
| to the San Francisco graft invest
| cation.
i So secret has been the work {
these government agents that eve
District Attorney Langdon was NJ
acquainted with the main purpos
for fear that he might leak"
| During. Sohmitz' tour abroad I
ha- been all the time under tt
! watchful eye of government agent
! The first hint of thefts came whe
ST ,o85 in currency sent from SesrcI
light to the mayors office disa]
peafed. The express company h'
!, a receipt for the money, and tt
Searchlight editor, who sent Il
money, has. letter of acknowledg
II ment, but the money is missing an
II Schmitz and all his underlings d
II ny it was ever received.
II Evidence of alleged graft 10 IL
II issuances Of licenses for French re
II taurants was placed before Il
II grand jury this morning. On
II the investigators say they are poi
II tive they can secure the indictme
II and conviction of men high up
II the administration. Before the i
Il ry went into session Secret Servl
Il Agent Burns announced that t
II evidence was the most complete e
II er gathered in any case and wou
II convince any jury in the world
II the guilt of the persons accused.
Il The personnel of the witness
II summoned for the first meeti
II showed clearly that the fret e,
II dence taken will be with a view
II ictind Abe Ruef.