The San Francisco call., 1906-11-24

impression on him was evident by his
manner on arrival in the harbor, for
in spite Of his efforts he was evil
IDENTIFY extremely nervous and shocked.
AS the revenue cutter carrying the
newspaper men drew alongside the
liner every passenger crowded to the
rail with the exception of the indicted
Mayor He withdrew to his cabin,
reviewing the newspaper, and did not
appear on deck again till the Patricia
drew near the dock
HAD BEEN KEPT INFORMED
The Calls representative first en-
countered Fred Hilbert, the Mayors
travelling companion. He said that
Schmitz had no intention Of staying
in Europe any longer than he did.
When Schmitz was approached in
his room the first question was on this
point.
I cut my trip short five weeks" he
said. so as to return and face the
charges When asked why Hilbert
made the contrary assertion, Schmitz
was unable TO give a satisfactory an
swer.
How did you know there would be
any charges2" the Mayor was asked,
and the fact that the indictments had
been returned after he had left Europe
Il did not know 1 had been indicted
until this morning, but a cable message
and other information I received in
Europe made me infer that my enemies
would endeavor to discredit me IN my
absence" was the reply
AS to where the message and in
formation" came from Schmitz refused
10 state. i got no word from Ruef,
be commented
Regarding the latest shameful reve-
lations IN his city the Mayor answered;
II am not my brothers keeper, and
therefore cannot say If he is interested
in the house at $40 jackson street or
not. but I 90 not believe that he is. 1
can swear that If he is interested IL Is
not on nay behalf As to the others
who are said to hold stock in the place,
I have no authority or knowledge to
say if they do or not"
@COwARDLYs HE CRIES
When Schmitz's attention was drawn
to the fact that former members Of
his own Board of Commissioners had
testified against him, he said:
found them willfully corrupt and in
competent and threw them out Hutton
I dismissed some time ago. and Po-
helm. Drinkhouse and Reagan are dis
sidCbO OtAlSioiS WV PSA
Offices.
This whole business is cowardly,
cowardly,' continued the Mayor, and
his voice rose and trembled as he ex-
citedly waved his hands.
This will all be a boomerang which
viii react upon those who started it.
During the earthquake times my hand
ling of the situation aroused the en-
thusiasm Of the entire world, and now
my political opponents are endeavoring
to discredit me.
"Ruef is my personal attorney and
I believe that he is also the attorney
for the French restaurants. Whatever
he has received from them will. l am
sure, be shown to be as are fees usu-
ally taken from clients as lawyer. If
he is proved guilty I will have no hesi-
fancy in freeing myself of him, but
until that time feel that cannot turn
against the man who has been my best
friend. and who has helped me with
money, personal influence and political
favors."
AN ENEMY OF GRAFTERS
What his attitude was toward mu-
nicipal graft and his mode of procedure
in cases brought to his attention was
q question asked by a local correspon-
dent, who was not fully in touch with
the San Francisco situation.
Schmitz promptly and proudly de-
clared that such cases would be i'm
mediately investigated and corrected
without delay.
Thereupon he was asked for some in
stances where he had so acted during
his long service as Mayor, and after
a pause for thought he stated that he
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