davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

mattery of the bribery of the super
visors here in fixing about February,
1906, in the passage of an ordinance
fixing the rates at which gas could be
sold electricity-light and heat. The
testimony shows that each supervisor
was promised and afterward received
$3.50 for his vote in that matter, and
that the money was paid over by Abra-
ham Ruef to James L. Gallagher. who
was one of the supervisors. and by him
distributed to the others. We would
like to examine youin this matter, but, as
a matter of course. the presumption
being that this money came from the
company, if you feel that your testt-
mony might have tendency to fncrim-
mate yourself, it is your right and
privilege to decline to testify or be
sworn. If you are willing. however,
to testify and let your evidence be
used as against anybody il may affect.
or against yourself, we would like TO
swear you as a witness and examine
you. A---Entirely willing TO tell any
thing 1 know about it. sir. (Sworn.} 81
Q.-Were you in San Francisco in
February, 1906? A.-No. sir.
Q-Were you here any time during
1906? A.-Until. l think it was, the
18th day of January, left here.
Q.-Of 1e062 A.-Yes, sir.
Q-When did you return? Al
hadn't been here since until about the
lst of April of this year.
Q.-You We're a director in the COM
pany2 A--Yes. str.
Q-You don't know anything about
the expenditures of the company in
detail? A.-No.
Q.-Was any one representing your
interests in the company? Ayes. sir,
Mr.. Cyrus Pierce.
Q.-Did he occupy an official position
in the company? A.-As treasurer.
Q.-At that time? A--Yes. sir.
Q.-Mr. Pierce, as L understand. is
out of town? Ale is in Los Angeles.
went there on Monday on business.
Q.-Do you expect him back soon?
A-Not until the first OF next week;
that was the plan when he left here.
He left on Monday to be back next
Monday or Tuesday. He is down there
on a business matter and his family
there to spend Saturday and Sunday
with his family at Santa Barbara.
Odd anybody connected with the
company ever advise you that any
money had been used to employ an at
torney or any other purpose in con-
nection with the fixing of those rates?
A--No, sir
Q.-So that II there was between 10
or 20 thousand dollars expended in the
matter of attorneys fees or anything
Of that sort in connection with the rate
fixing, you never heard of it? A-No
knowledge of it, sir.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Auditing Expenditures

Q.-Could any expenditure be made
without the authority of the executive
committee, or how was the business
run in that particular? A.-AH the ex-
penses- of a nominal character were
made by the officers in the regular rou-
tine, and If any large amounts of
money necessary for betterments would
be expended, before they were expended
were placed before the executive COM
mittee and proposition made-the
usual form of all large corporations.
Q--Would an expenditure of say
$4,000 for an attorneys fee-would
that matter come before the executive
committed? A-Either the executive
committee or the auditing committee;
yes, sir
Q.-Who was the auditing committee?
A.-At that time 1. was a member of
the auditing committee.
Q.-Who else was on it? Al think
Mr.. Pierce and 1 alone were the only
members. We used to meet every
ors, and pass the bills.
Q.-Did the auditing committee ever
pass on a bill of $4,000 or $4,000 for
attorneys fees along about the time
that the rates were fixed in 1906? A.
No, sir.
Cor for any sum that might
have been used for that purpose? A
No, sir; no exterior or extraneous ex-
pense in relation to the legal depart
ment of any kind that I know OF.
Odd you ever contribute any
money personally that was to be ex-
pended in the employment Of any at
torney, or in any other way, for the
matter of the rate fixing? A.-No. sir
Q.-Don't. know of any having been
expended? A.-No, sir.
Q.-By any person connected with the
~f-
Q.-Was there any voucher went
through your hands along about Feb
ruary or March, 1906, that might have
been the money used for that purpose?
A.-Not within my knowledge in any
way.
Q.-Can you aid the grand jury,
Mr.. Martin, in any way or with any
suggestion as to where that money
could have come from? Al have
been as much surprised as anybody
else, and If money was paid-our policy
is millions for defense, not a cent for
tribute. We have been doing business
for many years and are pretty well
known and our policy, and we never
used a penny. to my knowledge, for
anything of that sort.
Off that policy were employed by
all corporations, the boss that makes
money would go out of business. A.
That is my experience We have prob
ably 90 or % franchises throughout
various counties in the northern part
of California and was never approached
on such subject, much less paid. 1T
would be a serious loss. the reduction
of rates; would be a greater reason
than anything else why we should be
called Upon at that time; and, in fact,
was in favor at that time of contest
ing the rate. 1t would have been con-.
fiscation. practically, at rs cents.
Q.-Who advised against IT? A.
Mr.. Britton himself said, well, our
business will grow in time; we will be
able to meet that rate; let's reduce
every account we can and reduce" He.
is man in whose Judgment have
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
G. w. CONLISK
w. coNLIsK (2sss Vallejo street,.

c. W. coNLIsK (2sss Vallejo street,,
Called.
Mr.. Heney: We are Investigating
the alleged bribery of the board of
supervisors some time about February,
1906. in the matter of fixing rates to
be charged for gas In the city and
county of San Francisco for the term
commencing July 1st, and the testimony
here from the Supervisors is to the
effect that each received the promise
of $3.50 and afterward got the money
for their votes In that matter; now, as
you are one of the directors of the
company or were at the time, ] think
1t is proper to advise you, If you be-
lieve that your evidence might have a
tendency to subject you to prosecution
or incriminate you, 1t is your, right and
privilege to decline to testify.
A. / am familiar with that.
@. And If you are willing that your
testimony may be used against your
self or any one 1t might have ten
dency to incriminate, we should like
to swear you?
A. willing to be sworn. (Sworn)
O. Mr.. Conlisk. in January and
February of 1905, you were a director
in the San Francisco gas and electric
Company
A. Yes, sir.
@. Did you hold any other position?
A. Yes. sir. held number of other
positions at that tims, as do now.
Q.--What else? At would be hard
{, enumerate them. ] am connected
with forty or fifty companies. nothing
else In that company at that time but
director.
Q.-Are you controller now? A-Yes-
Q.-When did you become controller?
to the fire. I don't re-
member the exact date. first annual
meeting after the fire.
Q.-was there controller prior to
mat? A.-No, sir.
Q.-was there an auditor? A.-Yes,
sir, man named J. d. Butler,-I think
those are his initials, yes, j. D. Butler.
Q.-He Is still with the company?
A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-Now, what was the system OF
paying out money? How could money
be paid out, upon what authority; who
had the paying out of money, the au-
'thority? Al think the ordinary au-
thority the ordinary corporation gives.
Q.-On the signature of the president
and secretary, duly authorized officers?
Al don't know who were authorized
to sign checks at that time
Odd you as a member OF the
or expenditures in any way?sA A--No. +.
Odd you learn at any time that
any money had been paid for attorneys
fees in the matter of the fixing of the
rates in 19067 A.-No, sir. did not.
Q.-was Abraham Ruef ever en-
ployed by the company to your knowl-
edge? A.-No. sir.
Q.-In any capacity? A--Not to my
knowledge
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

consumption, a graduated rate as TO
consumption.
Q.-what was the rate prior to thati
A--$1.00.
Juror: Can you account for this
fact that at the reduced rate the con-
sumers gas bill who worked under
the same conditions is higher than II
was at the dollar rate?
A. Not working under the same
conditions, the meter does not charge
except what is consumed. He has
used more gas without realizing 1t.
We become more extravagant In the
use of gas and water as the COM
modify is cheapened in price. In fact.
some places at soc you can't let q
Chinaman use 1t compared with coal
whereas 1t Is cheap enough at $l.50 as
compared with the fuel we get.
Juror: The same Individual, the
same number of burners and being
just as economical, yet the gas bills
are higher?
A. They are. using more gas. You
understand the method of measuring,
the meters measure volume, the gas
to be filled in that meter and registra-
tfon made and that is exhausted before
the gas comes in again; the conditions
have been changed.
Juror: Can you account for this
fact that the gas bill is rendered-or
You furnish the electricity. don't you?
A. Yes, sir, both gas and electricity.
Juror: A bill is rendered without
the meter having been taken by the
gas company?
A. I can't say as to that. There is
some error.
@. Is that the rule of the company?
A. Absolutely, no. If he took the
meter, the man would report
Juror: 1 know of. cases he reported
the meter. 1t was impossible for him
to have read 1t. Could get no salts
faction at the office.
A. If any complaint any citizen
of San Francisco has with relation to
unfair accounts were brought to either
Mr.. Britton, Mr. Conllsk or my atten-
tion. 1t will receive careful attention.
That is one of our absolute rules, in
fact, one Of the policies adopted-we
don't want any more business as long
as we have dissatisfied old business
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Makes No Contribution

Odd you ever contribute person
ally to a fund to be used by anybody
in connection with the fixing of rates!
A.-No. sir.
Q.-Can you throw any light upon
this subject at all? A.-None what
ever.
Q-As to where that money came
from? A.-No, sir. ] can not.
Odd you ever agree to contribute
any money to any fund to be used for
the purpose of influencing the fixing OF
the rate? A.-No, sir.
Q.-Legitimately or illegitimately?
A.-No, sir.
OIL am trying to find out who this
fairy godmother is who came down
and gave Ruef the money; did you ever
meet Mr. Ruef? A.-Know him well;
known him for years.
Odd you have talk with him
about fixing rates? A.-No. sir.
Q.-Did you have a talk with him at
all in the early part of 1906? Al may
have met him but never had a talk
with him in reference to rates or things
Of that sort.
Odd you have talk with the
mayor during that time? A--No.
Did you see the mayor? A.-Met
him years ago, not recently except 70
say, how do you do.
Odd. you read In the newspapers
about the supervisors confessing they
received this money? Al take all
the papers. Mr.. Heney, and read them.
Q.-Did you make any inquiry after
that among the directors In regard to
it? A.-No, sir.
Q.-Why? Al am a very busy man
and have all I can do to attend to my
duties without making inquiries
Q.-As controller, since you became
controller, has it been part OF your
duty to pass on vouchers? Al wise
all vouchers.
Q.-Has any voucher passed through
your hands which might possibly be
used for that purpose? A.-None what
ever.
Q.-Any voucher for attorneys fees
of any person? A.--No one. There
may have been a voucher of Mr.. Me-
Cutcheon and Mr. Taylor. don't know.
Mr.. Taylor was out here for a while;
he may have drawn some money for ex-
penses: IL he did the vouchers are all
there of any money paid for attorneys
fees: 1t will show on the books.
Q.-Mr. Britton advised us that we
could send our expert A--Send
your expert down and have him make
full examination of everything.
Q-Didn't 1t excite your curiosity
when you saw this statement that these
people had received this money? A.
It excited my curiosity that something
occurred which I knew didn't occur.
Q-But it did occur. Al don't
know. 1T excited my curiosity; 1T was
natural it should
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
JOHN S. DRUMM

JOHN S. DRUMM (2714 Broadway
Called.
Mr.. Heney-we are investigating the
alleged bribery of the supervisors in
about February. 1906, in the matter of
fixing the gas rates for that year, 1906
commencing July 1, and the testimony
here of the supervisors is some 16 OF
them admit getting $3.50 apiece and
having been promised beforehand As
sary to advise you? Al am perfectly
willing to testify.
Sworn.
Q.-When did you become a director
in the San Francisco gas and electric
company? A-Some time in January,
1906.
Q.-You have remained a director
ever since? A.-Up to the present
time.
o.-As a director, did you keep track
in any way OF the expenditures on be-
half of 1.-THE company? A-None what
ever, except possibly expenditures on
the question of installing the work at
South San Francisco or something of
that character, very general In char
acten whatever expenses came before
the meetings.
Q.-You were not on the executive
committee? A.-No.
Q.-%On auditing committee? A-No.
Q.-Did you ever hear that Ruef had
been employed by the company? A.
No.
Odd you ever know of his being
employed by any official of the com
pany to perform any service in connec-
tion with the fixing Of rates? Al
did not.
Q.-Did you know of any attorney
having been employed in the matter
of fixing rates in 1906? A.-Mr. Nc
Enerney, I think, was employed to ap-
pear before the board of supervisors.
Irregular attorney Of the corpora
ton? A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-You don't know anything about
what fee was allowed him? Al do
not.
Q-You never heard that Ruef had
been employed in any capacity? A.
No.
Q.-And do you know of any fact
that would throw any light at all
on this question of where that money
may have come from to Ruef? A.
Not q thing about it do 1 know. I
am director in that company and
have been such since the reorganization
In 1906, but own no stock in the com
pany, except have qualifying share
or whatever amount IL necessary under
the bylaws, not member of any COM
mittee and know nothing about their
transactions except what learned at
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

was presented; the vouchers them
selves were destroyed.
o.-was Ruef ever employed by the
company? Al answered no.
o.-Were you on a salary of the
company A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-May ] ask what salary? A
81 600 a month.
o.-Was there any one else under
salary, any Of the other officers? A
No, sir; the secretary and other minor
officers.
o-The secretary is Mr.. Barrettl
A-Yes, sir.
o.-And his salary is what? A.-sS5o,
I think.
Q.-The directors didn't draw SAL
airy as directors? A.-No SIR.
o.-Can you give US the names of all
Of the directors at that time? Al
viii endeavor to. There was John
Martin. &. J. de Saba Jr.. +. C. Drumm.
Garret W. McEnerney. y. W. HalseY
was. and at that time Captain A H
Psyson, w B. Bourn and myself.
Q.-Do you remember when Bourn
went out2 A-His resignation was
accepted some time in JuIy.
Q.-That was when Bothin went ing
A-Bothin and Montealegre went in as
successors TO Pavson and Bourn. that
is my. recollection. There was man
named Carl Taylor.
Q.-Is he here yet2 A.-No, sir. In
New York He resigned and man
hamed Strfngham was appointed the
other day in his place. c. w. Conlisk
Is a director.
o.ZNow. did Martin. De Saba.
brumm, McEnerney. Halsey. Captain
Payson, W. B.. Bourn, Mr.. Taylor,
Stringham. Conlisk draw any salary as
directors? A.-No. sir
Old any one Of them expend
money on behalf of the company with
but your approval? A.-No, sir.
o.-was Mr.. McEnerney on salary2
Ale has 8 retainer yearly; very
tmall one. don't remember what the
smount is; insignificant sum-
Qs-Were any attorneys fees paid
put to anybody in connection with
natter of having rates fixed? A-No.
tir.
OF looks like some fairy god
mother had interceded- Did Mr.. Nc
Enerney at any time draw a sum
amounting to $4,000 or $4,000? A.
No. sir.
Odd he ever expend any money
and charge Il UP 10 an account? A.
No. sir. don't think Mr.. McEnerney
over spent a dollar of the companys
[ know he didn't Every voucher that
passed through the company passed
through my hands from the time I be-
tame president. except during the pc
tiod I was absent from the country.
! went 70 Japan. No money expended;
always by check and every check
signed by me and nobody else; that is
eountersigned by the secretary, Mr..
Barrett l. therefore. have intimate
1owledge of every dollar that went out
Of the company's excheouer. 7 know
that no sum of money OF any sort was
paid 10 any directors or attorney or
anybody else without it being known to
me what 1t was for. Every voucher
that was paid was for material, sup
plies or labor furnished and proper
voucher submitted to me.
Q.-When did you go away? A
April 7th.
Q-when did you come back? A.
June Path.
Q-Who was acting presiden- at that
time2 AIR. John Martin.
Q.-He is vice president of the COM
panN? A--No. Mr. Drum was.
O. That is Frank 6. Drum? A.-Yes.
SIR John s. Drum is another director.
There are eleven directors. no. thirteen.
Q.--As vice president, did Mr.. Drum
save any power to eXpend money? A
30 would in my absence have power.
Was there any time that he did
exercise that power prior to April 7th?
No, sir. nor subsequently that
know of.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
FRANK D. STRINGHAM

FRANK d. STRINGHAM called
(270s Claremont avenue, Berkeley
Mr.. Heney-Of course. you don't
need to answer any question IL you
think your answer might have a ten
dency to incriminate yourself. O.
When did you become a director? A
l became a director when the company
was taken over by the Pacific gas
company.
Give are investigating the matter
OF the alleged bribery of supervisors
about February, 1906, in the matter Of
fixing the gas rates for the city and
county for the year commencing July
1, 1905. and it appears from the testi-
mony of supervisors that they received
$3.50 apiece, some 16 of them have said
that. and they were Rromised this
money before they voted fixing that
So cent gas rate and this money was
given to Gallagher by Abe Ruef and
by Gallagher distributed among them.
Now. as you were a director in the COM
pany at the time, I consider 1t my duty
to advise you that you have a right to
decline to testify at all II, in your
opinion. your evidence might have a
tendency to subject you to prosecution
or incriminate you, and If, after being
SO advised, however, you are willing
to testify, and If your testimony should
be used against yourself, IL 1t has any
such tendency. we would like to swear
you and have you tell us what you
know about 1T. A-Willing to be
sworn. (Sworn.)
Q.-When did you become a director
of the San Francisco gas and electric
company? Ain January, 1905. I
think; it was the time the board was
first elected
Q.-And were you ever on the execu-
tive committee of the board of direct
ors? A-No, sir.
Q.-Or auditing committee? A-No
Q--Did you ever have any duties In
connection with auditing or looking
over vouchers? A-Not at all
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
CHARLES L. BARRETT

CHARLES L. BARRETT (Belvedere)
sworn.
Mr. Heney: Q.-You are a book
keeper. don't know what you call 1t?
Ak book keeper. secretary and
treasurer and cashier.
Q-When did you become treasurer
Al was made treasurer in 1902. when
I continued in until June. 1906. At.
present I am not. as a matter of fact
treasurer, just cashier and secretary. ,
OIL understand Mr.. Pierce is
treasurer? Ale was elected in July.
1906, treasurer.
Q-You were treasurer. however. In
January, February. March, April, MAY.
June of 1906? A.-Yes.
Q-And secretary? A-Yes
Q-At that time was there an ex-
ecutive committee of the board OF di-
rectors? A.-Yes. sir
Q-Who were they. do you remem-
.ber. say in February. 1906? A.-As
remember II was Mr.. Martin. Mr..
Pierce. Mr.. Conlisk, Mr.. Britton and
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
N. w. HALsEY

\. W. HALsEY called. CPacifc-
Union club
Mr.. Heney: We are investigating the
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

every confidence and thorough belle,
him
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05
Last week the John Fisher Hose
ro,,n,,,, calabratad tho tYenty-ffth

Last week the John Fisher Hose
Company celebrated the twenty-tifth
anniversary of its organization.
This has been La Junta institution
ever since there was a town, and
during that entire period {. w.
Wonderly has officiated as fire
marshal. The fire department and
the orchestra that made La Junta
famous have always been Mr..
Wonderiys two particular pets. and
to him alone is due the high state OF
efficiency of both. The fire depart
ment has always been credit TO
La Junta. and to its diligency and
efficiency in time of reed our citizens
may be thankful. In twenty-five
years there have been 260 fires, and
in only two instances was the loss
sustained of any magnitude. The
first great loss was on account
of the burning of the Santa Fe hos
pital on December IA, 1884. and
the second the destruction Of
the Santa Fe shops on December
IL, 1903. Chief Wonderly has a
record of every fire that has
occurred in La Junta since the John
Fisher Hose Company was organized
with the date, the amount of damage
sustained and the insurance in each
Instance. Previous to four yea S
years ago one-third of the fires were
on the property of the Santa Fe, and
as that company now has a fire de-
partment of its own. and on account
of the location of railroad property
the local fire department is unable to
respond to Santa Fe fire alarms. no
record has been kept of the number
of Santa Fe fires. La Junta has
been unusually fortunate in the
matter Of serious loss by fire, and
the damage sustained has never been
of any great consequence.
The John Fisher Hose Company
was informally organized in 1882,
and the first officers were elected in
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05

January. 1888, as follows: Pres :
dent. G. NJ Cameron; vice pr ''idsrt, ,
James Lynch; secretary. E + Deab-
export; treasurer, Roe Powell. 1t
lad a membership of thirty-fve as
follows: William DonIon. Matt
Dani1er, 6 p Butler. c \ Deaben-
| ort. + hillips. J S May. J W Eas-
ton. l. A Roland. { Denny. a
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05
CITY OF LA JUkTA.

La Junta expendng year new
recreation grounds.
La unta for the 1907 onehrd
basis, will be 81 100000
Junta expended 900 last for buildings aid
willie that amount this
Fe employs nearly 900 La Juna and out
monthly $85 OOO-over million dollars
Colony tubercuar santarium.
construction. five miles west of La Junta
building 100000 the depot and
railroad hospital which will $50 900
demand for homes and Notwithstanding the fact that
being built the demand far from beng
supplied y.
plant Mill and Elevator Company 300
nearly $4,000 for operating
penses each year
Brick and Tile Company employs seventve 1t
while product amounts to
$75, 600
completed high school building at cost of
pressed brick with white trimmings and
is vertabe palace of education.
Association will City Hospital
with thirteen BEDS which will shortly be increased to
hospital will involve expenditure of $5
population delivery of city mails three
telephones paid fire department
cold plant churches three banks street rail-
convience Of MODERN city, and the
best town of its size in Colorado
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05

Brooker, Abe Hale. William Smith.
F F Hanks. Sam Strauss. P w Allen.
Sam Richner. William Fenton, l. B
Jones, A D Witherall. Harry Donley,
John Dingman. r Russell. A Hick-
man, John Melville. A w Miller, H
T Hardesty, V Albera, w c Hooper,
w r Gray. c w Wonderly. John
Fisher, J S Kerr. George Spane, G
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05

J c Mills, j II Cook. Chas. Hale.
Chas. Adams.
The members who are exempt
from paying dues are as follows: ::
Z W Mu. derry. G VI Damerom. + +.
Deahennnrt. Matt Ia0iher, K Phil
,iiis, a V Miller. Victor Alhera, }. x
~inor .r., k g Dalton, J fisherman
f. Hradi.h, G +
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05

her, j F Funston, r w Burch, George
Uncapher. Ed Chestnut. Andrew
Mayors. H Crozier. Wilson Moore.
r E Fisher. l H Worman. Dock
Wright, Tom Handy Jack Devine,
w E Mccarthy. Tom Sheldon, S w
Brown, John Gates. F w Turley.
Geo. Barr. Chas. Avery. DR.. Linville,
Brady Pierce, j II Melvin J S King,
La Junta tribune., 1907-10-05
JOHN FISHER HOSE COMPANY NO. ONE, 1903

Kendall, A H Wieneke. W H King.
vs. Matlock. A c Draper. Chas.
.euter. w S 1urley, S E Wood.
The John Fisher Hose Company
MS never missed giving dance each
year on Christmas eve. and at the
resent time is in excellent condition
inancially, having $3.50 in the treas
ury.