Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-05-04

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3.-Appearance
Of President Patrick Calhoun and General
Manager Thornwell Mutually toillng up the
long fight OF stairs leading to the grand
jury chamber on the top floor Of the Ma
tive Sons hall this afternoon was a long
looked for signal that the incus'torial
board had reached its promised investiga-
tion Of the municipal bribery charges
against the United Railroads corporation.
President Calhoun and Manager Mutually
were detained in the grand Jury room for
n moment or two. When they reappeared
Mr Calhoun said in answer to many ques-
tions; 'T have nothing 70 say at this
time when I have a statement to make
to the public ! shall put It in writing"
From District Attorney Langdon II was
learned that Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Mutually
IN turn were Informed briefly by Assistant
District Attorney Heney that they were
summoned to give testimony AZ to the al
legged bribery Of supervisors and others by
which 1t is claimed the United Railroads
obtained its overhead trolley privileges ir
San Francisco; that they were then warned
that whatever testimony they might give
might be used against them in a criminal
action that they were informed that they
had the right to refuse to testify on one
ground only, namely, that 70 testify might
tend to incriminate themses7es es and render
them liable TO criminal prosecution, and
that thereupon each refused TO testify at
all.
I'VE were then very careful" added Mr.
Langdon, mot to put any questions to
them"
Asked IL he meant that this refrainment
was for the purpose OF leaving the feld
free for the indictment OF the president
and the general manager the district at
torney replied You may say that 1t was
very significant"
Bonds for RueR and schmitz.
Proceeding on the working basis of the
confessions before the grand Jury Of four
teen supervisors (which became public as
9 ofiolal records recently, It is the an
nounced theory Of the prosecution that the
United Railroads expended $4,000 in brlb-
cry for the purpose named, IN the following
manner:
In cash to each Of fifteen supervisors
$1,000, to Supervisor Wilson $4,000, to Super.
visor Gallagher $4,000, a cash total of
$4,000
In bonds of the United Railroads to
Abraham Ruef and Mayor Schmitz S565, 900
to a go-between, name withheld, 10000
total in bonds Of S665.OOO and a grand
total Of $4,000
According to a further statement from the
prosecution It expects to show that in order
TO avoid future suspicion these bonds were
not issued in the names OF Ruef and
Schmitz, but in the names OF other per
sons and that they were then converted
into cash by Ruef and Schmitz through the
house OF Charles Sutro & Co. OF this city
Fred Hilbert, a friend of Schmitz, acting
as messenger between the offices of Schmit7
~.
witnesses called before the grand jury
today.
At the conclusion OF the session District
Attorney Langdon made this statement:
"The investigation OF the United Rail
roads is In full swing 1t will be pushed
vigorously to a conclusion. You may ex
pect definite results very soon."
Denial by Calhoun.
Mr.. Calhoun said tonight on behalf Of
Mr.. Mullaly and himself:
when called before the grand Jury thii
afternoon and informed that It had unde
investigation the alleged bribery Of publ,
officials by the United Railroads we de
clined TO be sworn and in order that ou
action may not he misconstrued / call you
attention TO these facts:
"For months past the public prints hav
been full OF charges traceable TO certail
persons connected with the prosecution
that they had positive evidence that tn
United Railroads had spent not less tha
$4,000 in bribing the officials OF this city
have repeatedly stated that neither
nor the United Railroads nor any ofhcia
OF the United Railroads had bribed anyone
authorized any bribery, knew OF any briber
o. approved OF any bribery. This state
ment now fully reafirm. II is not for u
nor any officer OF our company to disprov
these grave charges. 1t Is for those maxim
them to prove them. We don't now car
TO discuss their motives. We know tha
they cannot produce any truthful evidenc
connecting us or any officer OF the Unite'
Railroads with this crime"