The San Francisco call., 1907-03-25
Strain Of Confinement
\ Is Now Telling on Ruef
Indicted Boss Realizes That He
Will Not Be Able to Es-
cape the Penitentiary

Ruef, through his attorneys, has
again got into direct communication
with his indicted pal, Mayor Schmitz
The developments of Friday aud Sat
urday have convinced him that the
evidence in the hands of the prosecu-
tion. gained through the confessions OF
the Supervisors and the testimony of
the corporation officials through whose
hands the bribe money passed, is suffi-
cient 10 reach the big men" without
the added weight Of what he and
SchmitE can ten.
Ruef realizes that his testimony is
not needed. and that there is no hope
Of imrn unity in that direction He has
discussed the matter thoroughly with
members OF his counsel and the result
has been the sending Of the emissaries
10 confer with Schmitz. Detective Fan
ming. assigned 10 Schmitzs Office and
under his personal direction, attempted
yesterday 10 see Ruef in his room al
the ST. Francis but was refused admis-
sion by Elisor Biggy.
The strain OF confinement is begin
hing to tell on Ruef to a marked de-
gree. There is a settled despondency
sbOUt hls manner that has communi-
,ated ftself 10 Blisor Biggy and the
guards who are constantly watching
Ruef chafes constantly and smiles
SELDOM. When he does force the CLINT
IF a smile to his face IL lasts but q
moment and gives away TO an expres-
sion OF melancholy that is the deeper
Rccenttated The exchange of pleas
intries with his guards and visitors
pas come TO an end, and the whole at
nosphere Of the prison room Of the
3d. Francis Hotel has ta.sen on a tone
II deep gloon.
For the past two nights Ruef has
leen unable TO sleep sOundly. Several
lines a night he has arisen TO pace the
oom- or sit for an hour or more gains
houghtfully out Of the window openine
N Post street and the duh ruins OF
he slope toward Mob Hill. His rest
essness has extended itself to the mer
Who are constantly with him, and there
> little reading, writing or other form
occupation going on in the two
ooms where he and his guards whils
way the hours. Ruef is waiting-feal
BAD dread in his heart-for what ht
fnOws is inevitable and beyond his
bwer 20 stay. Alone with his captors
fith the men he has made politically
pwerful and corruptly fat dropping
way from him and turning against
i'm day by day. he has entered OF
be Imprisonment which may end onls
bars hence when the doors OF the peni.
tntiary open to release him, an ex-
bnvict, his sentence served. For Ruei
calizes that his resources have beer
ishausted. that his escape from Gus
10y pending his trial is impossible and
at trial means conviction.
Ruef received but few visitors yester.
hy. Members OF his family were witt
fm both In the morning and after.
Don. and he held an extended consul.
ttion with Attorney Henry Ach durinf
De afternoon, discussing the loophole.
at remain 10 be sought and thu
hanges due 20 the developments OF IN.
asst two days. lie received severa
ewspaper men, but refused to discuss
by matters pertaining 10 himself al
tough he seemed anxious TO hear tn,
lest news of the Saturday Indictment,
I'd Grand Jury proceedings and in,
iiged in some light banter.
Il understand they have capture,
,stwfler in Cairo" he said 7 suppos,
.irns has him chained TO a pyramis
-e. And the latest from Glass II
a he is at misunderstanding for bal
ney, I guess"
The emissary OF the Mayor VIII,
lght 10 interview the prosecution o.
subject Of terms for Schmitz il d,
''uid confess IS worried over the pub
ition Of the fact. Schmitz is also dis
ased-so much so that his silenc,
broken for the first time with al
siiEnant denial The ernissary mad.
y displeasure known by a visit L
fecial Agent Burns yesterday. He tool
= prosecution to task for treating hin
Fairly In telling Of his first visit and