Arizona republican., 1907-05-18

Reported Wish of SChmitz to Abdeate in
Favor of a Committee of Seven
other Suggested Devices for Getting Rid Mayor
Kuef Adds to the Sum of Knowledge Concerning Mu-
ncipal Grating Operations

San Francisco. Nay l7-Interest is
divided between the appearance of
Ruef, before the grand jury and the
I1any reports of an imminent change
in the municipal administration An
earnest effort is being made To- find
a solution of the unusual situation. but
no plan has yet been evolved that is
satisfactory to all political interests
committee of seven prominent bus
mess men called upon Prosecuting At
torney Langdon and others who are
conducting the graft prosecution.
with view Of forcing the board of
supervisors TO resign in order that
S~hmitz may appoint a new board
'ch in turn would elect successor
L. SchmitZ.
The plan is not acceptable to the
prosecution. who suggested that
Schmitz resign and allow tn existing
board OF supervisors to elect his sue
cessOr. While it is not so stated. it
is implied that the choice of the board
would conform to the desire of the
prosecution. and it was thought best
that the reform forces work through
the present board of supervisors. and
leave the situation in the hands of the
prosecution.
ScHMITZ' REPORTED SUCCESSOR.
1t was reported that Schmitz had
virtually abdicated in favor of the
committee of seven. This is strongly
denied by the mayor.
Langdon was asked tonight: HAS
the prosecution entered into any ar
rsmgement. tentative or otherwise. for
the virtual retirement of the mayor
and turning over the actual reins of
government To a committee of seven
representing the commercial organiza-
tions2"
The district attorney" replied
Langdon, "will positively have no
dealings with any committee appoint
ed by Schmitz."
Langdon was also asked: Accepting
as correct the statement by a member
of the prosecution that the mayor has
endeavored To make terms. would the
district attorneys office accept a con-
fession from him?"
I'VE will accept the confession of
any criminal" he replied.
would an agreement to accept.
carry the proviso that no immunity
strings be attached?"
Absolutely" he answered.
W. III. Metson, one of the mayors
attorneys. today stated that Schmitz
will go TO trial on Monday on the sx-
tortion charges brought jointly against
him and Ruef. "Schmitz." said Met
son. will not confess. for he has moth
ing TO confess. He is not guilty"
Letters from a hundred sources con-
tinue to pour in upon Ruef daily
Many of them are from women: some
from old friends. others from ac-
quaintances with whom he says he
has not been in touch for ten years:
still more from people whose names
are strange. and whose signatures he
has some difficulty in reading. Almost
without exception they express SYM
pathy and encouragement.
RUFF AND RIlS.
Dozens of these missives and tele-
grams are from distant points. One
writer from an eastern city. makes
the statement that Jacob Riis. the
celebrated civic reformer and philan-
thropist at one time had his eye on
Ruef. The letter in part is as follows:
"Just here | want to recall an earnest
conversation I had last winter with
that great. humble citizen. Riis, and
how he said of you that YOU had pos
sibilities of becoming leader on the
side be represented in this country if
once YOU were made to realize that
there was nothing to il on the other
side: that in this way you could not
only accomplish more for yourself in
every way to crafty lawful ambi-
ton. but it would be a lasting vic
tory. Well, you've got your. chance
now. one that does not come to many
men. / realize with you that most of
the real fight is ahead. but with your
ewes on the new hone which Won eX-