Arizona republican., 1907-05-17
The First Appearance of the Fallen Boss
Before the Grand Jury :.
He Describes the United Railroads Needless Cerra-
ton Fund and How 1t Was Cut Up Amonx Himself
Mayor Schmtz and the Supervisors.

San Francisco, May 16.-Abraham
Ruef today made good his declaration
of yesterday that he would, following
his plea of guilty, turn states evidence
and assist the bribery graft prosecu-
ton in its campaign against municipal
corruption. Ruef, obeyipg a subpoena
from the grand jury, shortly before
three O'Clock went in charge of Spe-
cial Agent Bunrs and Elisor Biggy TO
the grand jury chamber, where he took
the witness stand and submitted to an
examination that lasted from 500
O'Clock until after ).
When the ordeal was over he called
the newspaper men. around him and
said he had promised the grand Jury
TO divulge nothing. District Attorney
Langdon and Reney refused. to make
a statement. From Burns it was learn
ed that the only matter in which Ruef
was questioned was the alleged brib-
ing of Mayor Schmitz and eighteen
supervisors by the United Railroads to
grant a change in the franchise allow
ing the electrifying of it's go miles OF
street railway. If Burns understand
ing of Ruefs testimony is correct the
fallen boss told the grand jury that
President Patrick Calhoun. and his
assistant. Thornwell Mutually, Chief
Counsel Tirey l. Ford and Assistant
Counsel William NJ. Abbott of the
United Railroads, paid. or caused to
be paid, the sum of $500, 600 for the
privilege named; that s61, 900 of this
was Ruefs fee, that $4,000 went into
he 81
remaining $4,000 was handed to eigh-
teen supervisors, sixteen receiving
$4,000 each, another demanding and
getting $4,000. and Chairman Gallagher
being paid $4,000 for acting as 60
between.
After the examination of Ruef was
concluded the grand jury remained in
executive session until $50 O'clock
Subsequently the statement was made
but not officially confirmed, that in
dictments had been voted against four
high officials of the United Railroads
and Schmitz, as predicted by the Of
ficers of the prosecution two weeks
ago.
Seen in prison tonight. Ruer said
Il was received and treated by the
grand jury with a consideration which
touched me deeply. When l entered
the room every one of the jurors arose
and took me by the hand. When /
finished my testimony every one got
up and bade me good night with a
hearty hand clasp. No disposition was
displayed to grill me. The trying
task l voluntarily set for myself was
made as easy b. their kindness
as l could have hoped. l do not know
when l shall be again called to tes-
tify. Perhaps tomorrow. 1 shall be
ready.
''The report published today that it
is my intention to tell everything /
know no matter who will be dragged
/ stand by my state
ment made yesterday that it is my
purpose to expose only those who en-
tered knowingly and willingly into
+ must not discuss the
United Railroads for l am bound to
silence by my promise to the grand
jury. But you will recall 1 told you
yesterday after my act in court that
there was no necessity for the offering
of bribe money by the United Rail-
roads; that the permit desired by the
would have been granted
as a matter OF course by the SUPER
visors if it had been merely and GUS
asked for
The understanding is that the carry
ing out of the sentence TO be imposed
upon Ruef two weeks. hence by Judge
Dunno will be indefinitely suspended.
in order that when / ie former munich
pal dictator and ally of Schmitz takes
his stand in court against those
"higher up" his testimony will not be
that of a convict. Burns is authority
for the statement that it is the purpose
of the prosecution to send Ruef. event