The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-05-22
A STORY OF BRIBERY.
Mayor Of San Francisco implicated
In Big Municipal Scandal.


In Big Municipal Scandal.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 17-.Late yes
terday afternoon. Ruef msde good his
declar alton that following q change Of
plea to guilty In the extortion case
against him, he would turn states
evidence and assist the bribery graft
prosecution In its campaign against
municipal corruption.
Ruef, obeying subpoena from the
grand jury served upon him at Fill
more street prison house shortly be-
fore 3 o'clock went in charge of Spe.
cial Agent Burns Elisor Biggy and
another guard, to the grand jury
chamber in Native Sons hall. where
he took the witness stand and submit
ted to an examin alton that lasted from
1920 until after 5. p. m.
From Special Agent Burns it was
learned that the only matter in which
Ruef was questioned was the alleged
bribing of Mayor Schmitz and Is su.
pervisors by the United Railroads to
grant to that corporation change in
its franchise allowing the electrifica-
ton Of its $50 miles Of system in this
city.
If Burns understanding of Ruef's
testimony is correct, the fallen boss
told the grand jury that President
Patrick Calhoun, Chief Counsel Tiery
L. Ford and Assistant Counsel Will.
liam NJ. Abbott of the United Rail
roads paid or caused to be paid the
sum of 100000 for the privilege
named: that $4,000 of this amount
was Ruet's fee, that $780, went into
the pocket of Mayor Schmitz and tha
the remaining SS9,OO0 was handed to
Is supervisors, Is of them receiving
81, 900 each, another dem anding and
getting $4,000, and Chairman Gala
CHER of the finance committee being
presented with $3.50 for acting as
go.between.
When San Francisco awoke this
morning it looked toward the residence
of Mayor Schmitz, following the d.
rection pointed by the accusing finger
of Abe Ruef.
Around the city the chief executive
is branded as a CRATER of the most
solid kind. Schmitz is now the center
of the stormrai sed by the confession OF
the ex.boss, and when Ruef shall have
completed his story of the lootiug oi
the city, Schmitz and the ineres,
which centers in him will inevitably
be transferred to San Quentin or t.
the suicides grave.
Early in the day rumors of all sorts
have been circulate Ole of the frs,
to 60 around was to the effect that the
mayor had committed suicide. This
was untrue, although there were many
who were only too ready to accept i,
as true.
Another given equal credence was
to the effect that the mayor had draw1
up letter of resignatian and woulo
today hand it TO the committee of citi
zens who had made demand or
Spreckles and Prosecutor Heney OF
Thursday for immediate restoration
of civic decency.
All night long a squad of Burds
men stood guard around the Schmti
mansion, and had the mayor made ;
move that had the least semblance o
az attempt to escape he would hav,
been arrested. Lights in Schmitz
; room burned until far past midnight
giving rise to q rumor that he wa
comforting with his attorneys as to tn
form in which be should frame hi
letter of resign alton.
Ruef's astounding confirmation o
the charge that Mayor Schmitz re
!, ceived large share from the over
head trolley bribe is sufficiently nau
=, seating, but that the mayor accepted
protection money from brothels i
scarcely credited by his bitterest en-
emies. The stamp of truth given thi
charge by Ruef has disguised evel
those who stood by the mayor through
thick and thin.