Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-27
WILSON TELLS
OF HIS GUILT
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER ON
STAND
PROCESSES LOYALTY TO ABE
RUFF
Many Boodling Supervisors Testify In
Ford Trial--Testimony Is stereo-
typed-Dr. Boxton's Examl-
nation Grllilng
fContinued from Page one.)

rumor of bribes to be paid Like the
others, Coffey admitted having received
$1,000 from Chairman j. l.. Gallagher In
July and his second installment some
time later.
The direct examination was very brief.
Earl Rogers for the defense began by es-
tablishing that Coffey had received his
first installment of $1,000 on the day bAfore
the witness had departed for Chicago to
attend convention.
Coffey was the third member of the for
mer board to declare that he favored the
construction Of the trolley systems be-
cause he thought the city needed trans
portation and apart from any monetary
influence. Like the others he admitted
having a contract for immunity.
Daniel G.. Coleman, a salesman before
he became a supervisor, was the next VIII
ness. He testified that he had first heard
OF the trolley franchise in April, 1906,
when Gallagher had asked. him how he
stood The witness declared he had ex-
pressed himself in favor of the measure.
and Gallagher had informed him that his
vote would be worth $4,000 or $4,000. The
witness said he had spoken with Abe Ruef
on the same subject.
Coleman testified that about the time
the trolley ordinance was passed he had
visited the home of Thornwell Mutually,
now acting manager of the United Rail
roads, who had invited to dinner the wit
ness, Abe Ruef and Gallagher. AT this
dinner, the witness said, the trolley matter
had not been discussed in any particular,
Coleman acknowledged the receipt of
$4,000 from Gallagher, explaining that 1t
was In the usual two installments and IN
currency.
Overlooked No Money
On cross-exarnination, he followed his
four colleagues in declaring that he was
In favor of restoring transportation IN
the quickest manner, and that he be-
lieved the public wanted the overhead
system On cross-examination there was
ELECTED from the witness knowledge of re-
lief afforded the city and its people at the
time of the fire by the United Railroads
Heney later made this the occasion for
sarcastic request as to whether any of the
supervisors had refused to take bribe
moneys because Of this charity. The wilt
ness said he believed not.
Cornelius ]. Harrigan, who became
supervisor in 1906 from grocer, followed
Coleman on the stand Harrigan's tes-
timony followed exactly the same line as
the others, and his examination was al
most stereotyped. Neither was the wit
ness any exception to the number who
have declared that they would have voted
for the franchise ordinance In Difference
to public opinion in any event.
In like manner, and with similar abb
sence of fresh or important testimony,
proceeded the examination, direct and
cross, of former Supervisors James f.
Kelley and Edward /. Welsh.
In the case of Walsh the court and the
attorneys were several times compelled
to ask the witness to raise his voice, and
Heney finally inquired: Are you weak
this morning. Do you think you could
carry SCOOP" There was no answer, but
f,,ic nd said 'aTake fhe
Witness" Attorney Rogers of the defense
replied, 1--WE don't want him." There
was no cross-examination.
Former Supervisor Fred p. Nicholas,
the next Witness differed from his pre-
decessors only inasmuch as he said he
was in favor of permitting an overhead
trolley system even before the fire.
Nicholas testified that he heard rumors of
conduit system railway to be established
by Rudolph Spreckes but was unable to
say anything definite as to the corporators
or their plans.
Nicholas, upon cross-examination, ad-
mitted that he had been indicted by the
grand jury upon charge of completely
in some irregular furniture contracts and
that he had never been brought to trial.
Jennings ]. Phillips was the next mem
her of the deposed board to be called. He
stated that he had at first been promised
$4,000 by Gallagher but that this had beer
later reduced to the $4,000 which he claimed
to have received.
Knew Spreckels
Former Supervisor DIR. Charles BoXton
who for a short time filled the mayors
chair, was the next witness. Boxtor
asserted that he had been paid one In
stallment of $1,000
The cross-examiuation of BoXton opened
the afternoon session. The witness stated
that he had known Rudolph Spreckels for
several years and admitted meeting him
at Roy's house on the occasion when the
witness was trapped while accepting
money for the protection of the skating
rinks Boxton acknowledged that he aft
erward learned that the money he ac-
cepted was that of Rudolph Spreckels.
"A week later" continued Boxton, Roy
summoned me to his house again and in
formed me that all had been discovered
and that the people who had found me
out were in the house. thereupon told
him to show them in.
Attorney Rogers ELECTED the statement
that Boxton had understood Burns to In
struct him to swear to an affidavit deny
ing the facts surrounding his confession.
Boxton testified that it was he who re-
ouested Gallagher to call a meeting of
the supervisors to notify them of the ex-
pose, but denied that he had been in
etructed to do so py anyone BoXton
stated that he had made a statement
which he had signed. This was the con-
fession of his connection with four Of
the alleged bribery transactions
WAS the statement made to you at
the time of this confession that Ruef
had received $45O,OOO from any source?"
asked Rogers.
II heard nothing of such sum-" replied
the witness
Ibid Mr.. Spreckels make to you any
statement such as he made to Mr.. Null
laIy concerning a conduit system made
on Bush street which the United Rail-
roads was to take off his hands?'
IL never heard OF it."
Asked If he had wished to resign as
supervisor to accept a week in the may
or's chair, Boxton with a wave of his
hand replied: "Oh, didn't care" Later,
when asked who had given him the $4,000
Boxton said: Gallagher gave me the
money. He always brought it to me- 1
never had to trouble about going
after it,
This closed the cross-examination and
Heney ELECTED from the witness that any
denials OF his confession had been made