Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-22
stenoarapher Called
RUFF SETTLES WITH
THREE ATTORNEYS
AND PAYS THEM OFF
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 21.-The
supreme court today, on the request of
the attorneys of Abraham Ruef, the
central figure in the municipal graft
investigation, dismissed Ruef's appli-
cation for a writ of habeas corpus to
transfer him from the custody of
Elisor w. j. Biggy to that of Sheriff
O'Neill, and to be taken from the St.
Francis hotel to the county Jail.
"Ruef." said Biggy, upon looking up
authorities, came to the conclusion
that the supreme court would sustain
the action of Superior Judge Dunno in
appointing an elisor and decided to
forestal any adverse decision by hav-
ing the writ dismissed.
The dismissal of the writ was to some
extent a disappointment to the prose-
cution, who hoped that the supreme
court would hand down a decision
which would clearly define the duties
and authority of an elisor, some points
of which now are matter of conten-
ton.
1t leaked out tonight that Ruef late
this afternoon paid off three of his at
torneys, Fairall, Murphy and Short
ridge, which has revived the report that
there is dissension among them and
that at least one of them, Shortridge,
! desires to withdraw from the case.
Denial Is Made
This, however, was denied by Short
ridge, who with Fairall, also dis
claimed any knowledge of dissension or
difference of opinion in the Ruef camp.
Neither Ruef nor any of his attor-
neys will discuss his case.
Color is lent to the report persist
emily circulated that Burns is working
on Ruef to get him to confess by the
frequent visits paid by the secret SER
vice agent to Ruef and the fact that
Burns was closeted with the dethroned
political chieftain until 2:30 o'clock this
morning.
From those who are now guarding
| Ruef it has been learned that he now
realizes the full seriousness of his situa-
tion.
For two nights there was little sleep
for Ruef and he Is said to have moaned,
groaned and tossed in his bed and the
guards asked him If he were i'll.
Burns visits him several times a day.
Ruef and Burns seem to be on the best
Of terms, laughing and chatting with
each other.
Burns in a joking r-anner tells how
the various officials have confessed, but
each story has point which has its
effect on Ruef. Every little kindness or
privilege shown to Ruef is impressed
on him as having been granted by
Burns.
If patience, perseverance, method and
Influence that are being brought to bear
can accomplish 1t, it is believed that
Ruef will confess.
Ruefs Mother an Invalid
What is affecting Ruef the most is the
fact that his aged mother to whom he
was greatly devoted Is an invalid, and
cannot visit him. His father and other
members of his famll.' visit him daily.
Because Of the dismissal Of the writ
by the supreme court today the ques-
tion of place of detention for Ruef
has again arisen Distrusting the police
and the sheriff, Ruef has been kept in
the st. Francis hotel pending the decis-
ion Of the supreme court as to the le-
gality Of his detention in the custody Of
Elisor Biggy
Now that this matter has been drop
ped by Ruef and his attorneys, the
prosecution are casting about to find
another place Of detention for Ruef. 1t
has been decided to take an apartment
or private house.
Burns and Biggy examined a number
o' places today and Ruef will be taken
from the st. Francis within few days.
Perhaps no prisoner in the United
States today is so closely guarded as is
/ Ruef.
Burns has placed six of his picked
men under Biggy to guard him. AT
night Biggy sleeps in the same room
with Ruef, two guards are on duty in
the room with their eyes constantly on
Ruef, one man stands guard in the hall
in front of the door and another man is
on duty outside of the one window In
the room.