davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
EUGENE DE Saba
.UGENE DE SABLA, called.

EUGENE DE SABLA, called.
Mr. Heney: Q.-Mr. de Saba, were
you a director in the gas company in
January and February of 1906? A.
Yes. sir.
Mr.. Heney: We are Investigating
the matter OF bribery of the board OF
supervisors in fixing the rates for
commencing July /, 1906-what you
are charging for gas, heat and light IN
the city and county Of San Francisco
i appears from the evidence here thet
money was paid-money first promised
and afterward paid TO each supervisor,
$3.50 apiece. for their votes in that mat
ter paid by Ruef to Gallagher and
distributed by Gallagher to the others.
Now. in that matter We are investigat-
ing to discover who paid the money to
Ruef for that purpose and IL you feel
that any evidence YOU might give might
fNnd TO subject you 70 criminal prose-.
cution, why, OF course you have right
20 decline to become a witness upon
that ground If you are willing 20
testify, and that your testimony may
be used against yourself or any one
II might have a tendency to implicate,
~ il does have such a tendency, we
viii be glad to question you. iA--All
right. go ahead. (Sworn-)
Q-What can you tell us about it,
snything2 A-Cap't tell you anything.
The San Francisco company came into
our hands as you know. about the Let
of January-wish 1t hadn't The eues-
ton Of the rates, think. came up In
the month of February-am not quite
sure. The part that l played in the
San Francisco company was simply a
director, paying no attention to it
whatever, being mostly California; Gas
and Electric, you know. that was
merged in with the-taken in by the
Pacific Gas and Electric at the same
time as the San Francisco. The ques-
ton came up of rates and saw Mayor
Schmitz. spoke TO him about the matter.
told him ] understood there was a
oaestion of a lower rate ito be charged
by the gas company / didn't think Il
vas fair and pleaded for the company,
same as you would do or any one, with
him to give us a rate or TO keep the
rate at a dollar, the same as before: it'
was quite cheap enough And that's
about all there was to it.
Q.-what did he say In reply TO that?
Ale said that he could not that he
would see what he could do anything
better than rs cents. I told him
understood according TO general rumor
II was 10 be rs cents, in fact generally
known, you know. on account OF the
election. I told him thought IL was
farce; they would not think of
that. I did not think il was a fair
or square deal and he said possibly not.
he hadn't looked at II that way. and,
we wanted to do all we could for the
CITY: give them better service than they
had and had TO spend q lot of money
here. The question of any compensa-
tion in any shape, form or manner,
or anything like that, we never
spoke of: and / may bel don't re-
member whether that was when II
came about then or not may
-. x.,rr-,.r ~, nv "a wing so but IL re-
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

plant and then doubling that and
charge the tax payers rates on It? A.
The tax payers better look up and SCI
what other cities are paying for gas
and electricity and realize they are do
ing very we'll
Q-I understand the same conditions
existed in ST. Louis and Philadelphia
and other places in all respects relat-
ing to graft that might account for the
fact OF the high prices Of gas In other
cities as well as San Francisco? Al
will take issue with you on the high
price Of gas: you take 1t once and made
1t and 1t will be cheap.
Q.-Gas can be sold at profit at 6s
cents, provided not capitalized too high
A.-Lots of smart men might do It ]
haven't come across any of them.
Q.-Start with an enormous capitali.
cation Of eighty millions for q plant
that can be built for hfteen, and you
can't A mans hindsight Is bette,
than his foresight. II street railroad
syndicate could take advantage OF all
the knowledge 1t had to pay for and
put up modern plant without having
to lead up to It
OF you folks could start in and
blum the other fellow TO buy you out
and put In half plant and sell II tc
the other. and then have the people pay
the rates on double capitalization, they
call that high finance, think? A.
Well. high finance, like everything else
has got two sides. you know.
Q.-Yes, and we are on the other
side. A.-Maybe the fellow on the
other side Is happier. He. hasn't the
bothers and troubles.
Q.-Are you president Of the Bay
Counties electric light and power COM
pany? A-No such company--Bay
Counties power company; am
Q.-Do you give most Of your time to
that corporation? A.-No,iI don't Give
most Of time to any particular COM
pany: that Is only one company out OF
a series OF power companies that form
what is known as the California gas
and electric California gas and
electric Is partially gas and par
TALLY electric light and power and some
street railways In Sacramento: and
what.vI have always attended to has
been power transmission, no matter
what company 1t is.
Q.--So you are not familiar with the
working Of the San Francisco gas and
electric company? A.--No.
Q.-You devote most Of your time to
other interests? A-First time / have
been. to the San Francisco gas COM
pany was about six weeks ago. to the
plant where we had the f1re at station
A, and that was the first time was in
station A since we bought II.
al suppose you read the news
papers about the supervisors having
confessed they got $3.50? A.-Yes.
Odd you make any Investigation
after reading that to discover where
that money had left the treasury OF the
San Francisco gas In any way? A.
No, sir.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
testimony the indictments against John Martin

Q--No member OF the company had
any authority or power to employ him
as the attorney without the board OF
directors passing upon II? A--No. sir.
no.
o-Suppose you know that no one
did? A--No one did so far as T know.
Q.-Hou. did not at any time employ
Mr.. Ruef? A.-No, sir.
Q--I mean employ him IN connec-
ton with the affairs of the company?
An no connection whatsoever.
Q.-Have you ever met him. A.
Twice. I think. In my life
Q--When was that? A-The drst
time was during the Pardee campaign
when was a member OF the state cen
trail committee, republican. In connec-
ton with the campaign here In San
Francisco, and the next time was. pos
sibly. can't say. six or seven months
ago. just prior to the election. lust
prior--no. II was after the election
Q.-That was prior to 1906? A-No.
this last time was In 1906 It was Just
after election when Pardee was known
to be. defeated, I met Ruef on the street
one day-the only times met him In
my life.
regard to gas? A--No. sir.
Odd you with Schmitz. A.-rho
day the rate came up before the board
Of supervisors. i did The mayor was
In the chair. and spoke to him then
about what he thought the attitude OF
the board was going to be. and he said
to me then he thought they would ix
the rate at rs cents: that was an obli-
CATION or pledge Of their party and he
thought they were all inclined to that
1t would depend on the evidence that
might be given.
Q--That was the day the rates were
fixed? A.-The day they commenced
the investigation
Q--Did you appear then before the
committee of the board A--Yes.
Q.-And who appeared with your
A--Mr- McEnerney. as our attorney.
and Mr.. Napthaly, who was general
superintendent
Q.-Sam Napthaly? A-Yes, SIR.
Q.-Did Sam Napthaly have any au-
thorfty to expend money for the COM
pany? A-No, SIR.
Ole couldn't get any money ex-
cept by putting In q voucher? A.
That Is all. sir.
Q--voucher had to specify for what?
A-Yes. sir. and approved by me.
Q--There was no money went out
OF the company to the amount Of ten
or twenty thousand dollars on any
voucher put In by Napthaly about that
time? A-No, sir.
Q.-was there any one who had
authority to expend money without the
voucher being approved By yous A.
No. sir
o.-Dfd you approve any voucher for
any one about that time where The
purpose was not specified? A.-Nos
sir. I did not
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
JOHN A. BRITToN

JOHN. A. BRITTON. $3.50 Washing
ton street. called.
Mr.. Heney: Mr.. Britton. we are in
vestigating the matter OF bribery OF
the supervisors IN about February OF
1906. In the matter OF fixing the gas
rates that were to govern, commencing
the FIRST of July, 1906. and as the testi-
mony already In here Is to the effect
that the supervisors each received $3.50
and were promised this money before II
was paid by Ruef to Gallagher and by
Gallagher to these different ones, as
you are president Of the company. why
1t is proper to advise you that II. in
your opinion. your eveidence would
have q tendency to incriminate your
self In any way of course. you have the
right to decline to be sworn or to
answer. A--Yes, sir.
Mr.. Heney: II you feel that you de-
sire to testify. We would like to have
you sworn and take your testimony
on condition that It may be used
against any one that II may tend to
incriminate, II IL tends to incrininate
any one Al am willing 70 be sworn.
(Sworn.)
Q.-Tou were the president Of the
San Francisco gas company in Feb
ruary Of 1906, were you? A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-When were you elected? A
Sometime In the early part of Janu-
arY, don't know the exact date.
Q.-And the company had Just ac-
quired these other companies this con-
solidation? A--Yes. sir. the corpora
ton
Q.-Had you been connected with the
gas company preceding that? A.-No.
had not.
o.-with any gas company? A.-oh.
yes. sir, the general manager OF the
California gas and electric corpora
tion and president Of number Of
small companies In the consolidation.
Q--Was that California gas and
electric company doing any business
OF supplying gas to Inhabitants of San
Francisoo7 A.--No. sir.
Q.--What was its business? A.
Gas and electricity to a number of
towns and cities throughout the state
and has charge OF the power business
practically In the northern part OF the
state.
Q.-The supervisors have each ad-
mftted getting this money and getting
the promise Of IL beforehand. as / have
said. from Ruef. Can you throw any
light on that subject a. to where that
money. came from? Al have abso-
lutely no idea Mr.. Heney.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

Q-That what would cost them
nothing? A.--The question of any in
fiuence that might be brought to bear
or anything done for the company.
Odd he say he would bring any
influence to bear? A.-No, he did not.
Q-Did he agree or consent to rec
ommend any less rate than a dollar?
Ale didn't say he would do anything
he simply said put the thing as a
business proposition-not as a busi-
ness proposition, but a fair proposition,
as a corporation that had just been
formed, had taken part and bought
this new company and wanted to get
in and do things for the city; put in i'm
provements. better the service. and !
didn't think IL was a fair, square prop
osition to first to give us kick in the
solar plexus and knock us out.
Q.-Do you belong to the executive
committee of the board of directors?
A.-There was no executive committee
of the board Of directors of the San
Francisco company.
Q.-How many directors are there?
Al don't know, suppose there are
the secretary will be able to tell you;
he Is here.
Q.-who is that? AIR. Barrett;
/ don't know how. many directors. I
think II. To tell you the truth, don't
Anow their names.
Q.-Did you attend any meetings of
the board of directors in January and
February, prior to this fixing of rates
at which the question about the rate
fixing was discussed? Al don't re-
member. I suppose I was at some
meetings. but didn't pay any attention.
There was nothing happened at any
that impressed 1t on my mind.
Q.-Was any authorization given to
anybody to employ an attorney to
represent the company in the matter?
A--..o; not at any meeting I attended
Odd the company have regular
attorney? Ayes, sir; regular at
torney.
Q.-who was the regular attorney at
the time? A--We1l. Mr.. McEnerney Is
our attorney; whether he is the attor-
ney for the San Francisco company I
am sure don't know. We only took
over the San Francisco company in
January and I am apt TO confuse-I
didn't pay hardly any attention not
that my interests would have deemed
necessary when we first took the COM
pany over. Ny department is almost
entirely the power supply and the
transmission line, so that / know ab-
solutely nothing about gas
Q.-Who was the gas man?-not In
the slang way? Al was going to
use slang and answer in the same way
and say search me. don't know.
Q--Who was the expert on the board
OF directors on the gas proposition?
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Takes Issue With Heney

Q.-You didn't keep. very good track?
A--For the Lords sake-only took It
over in January and February, and
March and April. and then We got tho
Knockout, the fire, and scratching gravel
ever since-I don't wish any one Ill will.
any one might have it--buying It Janu-
ary and burning II up In April
OIL hope you won't add the cost Of
replacing it to the original cost OF the
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Knows Nothing of Ruef

Q.-Was Ruff ever employed by the
San Francisco gas and electric as tar
as you know? A-Not as far as
know.
o-Who could have employed him
without your knowledge. any onsf A.
Nobody In connection with the COM
pany; no, sir.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Only Passing Interest

Q-Didn't interest you? Ayes,
sir. interested me. l asked Mr.. Britton
what was to It. think It was: they
didn't know anything about 1t, %
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Vouchers Are Missing

o-Has the company its vouchers.
or were they lost? Al think the
vouchers were lost II has a book Of
record. think, list OF vouchers that
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Old Officials Retained

A-Well. don't think any expert at
the time in any Of the matters OF the
San Francisco gas. just taken over
with the California gas. The officials
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

member rightly. am sure in say
ing that Mayor Schmitz said 1t would
absolutely cost US nothing in any shape
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

know about its payment, 1t couldn't (
have gotten out OF the company with
out somebody knowing? Al don't
know
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
The Call Publishes the Full Testimony O
Which the True Bills Against the
Gas Magnates We're Based

smamG h
hp h y nat the dhmoy
adh hdhb~ag agAmps@ @&oup
RuIGdS& ashuhdhmy
haM moyr
aIy@b
s HT %z @i=&$7
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
Considers Rate Unfair

or manner.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-02-01

Now my dear sir, the purpose Of the
Law and order Society is not 50 narrow
as you would have US believe from your
etter. While it does not intend to over
look violations Of State laws, it has for
its greater purpose, the enforcement OF
our town laws for the betterment Of our
community.
Get to work and do a little house
cleaning at home before you start out
to clean elsewhere. "Why beholdest
thou the mote that is in thy brothers
eye, but perceivest not the beam that
is in thine own eye?'
a Respectfully,
P. T.. CARLISLE, JR.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-02-01

THE bottle law repeater should
be as promptly passed by the sen
ate, as it was by the house. All
hotels should be confined to selling
in quantities to be drunk on the
premises; and, as the bottle law
has been the source Of a lot of
trouble, it should be abolished
promptly,
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-02-01

patient sufferer and rejoiced that she
was going home to meet loved ones.
Funeral on Thursday, interment at Holly
wood Cemetery.
Harry Collins of the "Dover State
News, and family, spent Sunday with
John w. Collins.
Mr.. Graham has been sick for several
DAVIS. and Mr.. Taylor relief agent, Of
Marydela Springs has been in charge OF
the R. R, Office here.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-02-01

friends at their twentieth anniversary.
After a pleasant social time together the
guests we're invited to the dining room
to refreshments. A very pleasant feature
of the occasion to Mr.. and Mrs. sapp
was to have with them Rev. D. F Nc
Faul who was the minister that married
them. Many presents were presented to
the bride and groom of twenty years.
On Sunday evening Grace Vineyard, a
bright young girl, aged IS died OF that
dreadful disease consumption. She was
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-02-01
HOUSTON ITEMS.

Last week as Mrs. John W. johnson
and daughter Anna, were out riding the
rein broke causing the horse to run away.
The carriage was demolished and Mrs.
Johnson's arm broken besides other
bruises which she and her daughter re-
ceived. They are under the care of Dr..
Prettyman.
On. Saturday evening Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank Sapp entertained a number of their
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1907-02-01
The Greatest
Cut Price Clothing Sale
We Have Ever Had.
We Have Ever Had.

pay you give attention before its to late
With of heavy clothing weather ahead OF usthere ever
why happen need should not take advantage us
Of stylish well well fitting clothing for Men and Women at Dig ou
off the former
'front.'
the that evdent IN thus
will by buying here during this sale
the reduced
price be tag which will tell the of the
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-02-25
HURT AMID
EXPLOSIONS
Seven Fireman Hurled From
Ladders
WHILE fighting FIRE.
Fire in Big Boston Hardware House
Stored With Powder and Oils
Causes $4,000
Loss.
WHILE FIGHTING FIRE.

Boston, Feb 25.--seven fremen we're
hurt as the result Of oil and air ex-
plosion at fire which broke out sat
urday night in the stone and brick
building 0o-io3 Pearl street, occupied By
Baldwin & Robinsons company, whole
sale hardware
The intense cold, icy pavements and
ladders, vase quantities OF inhamable
and explosive goods, including powder,
made the battle one against fearful
odds, and fourth alarm was pulled in.
The extra alarm was occasioned by
fire spreading to the buildings occupied
by J. Russell Marble Co., dealers in
chemicals and dyestutfs, at los Pearl
street, and X. J. Quinn & Co, dealers in
shoe dressing, 1t6 High street, placing
the entire Wholesale district in dire peril
OF destruction.
The explosion Of several hundred
rounds Of ammunition and two other
explosions caused by hot air at the
height Of the fire blew a number of
firemen from lofty positions and en-
dangered the lives Of over 200 others.
The damage Is estimated at about
$4,000
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-02-25
BORN IN vERMoNT.
David J. Baker, One Of worcester's Most
Prominent Men Dead.

Worcester, Mass. Feb. 25.-David J.
Baker, one Of Worcester's oldest and
best known residents, died Saturday at
his home, 1s4 Stafford street. after a
kong illness, aged 50. He was born in
Mt Holly, VT, Aug 16, 1917. and came
to Worcester when he was II years old.
liz worked as a machinist for 20 years
and then established livery business
IN New Worcester. He took charge OF
the old Elmwood house at Webster
square and ran it for 80 years, During
bis proprietorship the place was rem.
devious for all the old.school horsemen
and up to the time Of his last illness
Mr. Baker was a familiar figure on Wor-
ceSter's streets behind fast trotters. He
was a member Of the old Harrison city
guards In 1870, and there was only one
other member Of that famous corps
living besides him. lie was veteran
fireman, honorary member Of the Wor.
cester city guards and the Worcester
Continentals. He was a staunch demo.
crat, lie is survived BY three children,
Miss M. A. Baker with whom be lived,
Mrs, Walter Adams Of Worcester and
Albert r. Baker Of Hartford. The fun.
eral will be held Tuesday.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-02-25
SIZES AND SONS.


Joseph Chamberlain's health Is now
fairly good, but It is said that his loss
of memory VIII prevent him from ever
returning to public life.
Mayor Frank Mott Of Oakland. Cal.
refused a position with big corpora.
ton at $4,000 a year that be might
remain mayor Of Oakland at $500
Though spooner. Foraker and TIL
man throw javeIns at one another ID
the relate chamber. they are chummy
on tie outside and fond Of exchanging
stories.
Tho tallest man and the two smallest
men IA Vermont are George Brooks,
si@ feet four inches; Walter Freeman,
foTtg three inches. and Louis yiens,
forty--eyen inches.
Norris Brown. the new United States
sc7a.or from Nebraska. is both
young man and q poor man. He sue
ceeds Joseph III. Willard. who was the
opposite, both elderly and rich.
Nelson B. Mapes. station agent at
Howells. N. T.. is a native Of Howells
and began his railroad life as station
agent Aug. /. 1858. and has been there
ever since. having more than forty.
eight years Of service to his credit.
Henry w. Blair. formerly United
States senator from New Hampshire,
70 whom a pension Of $T2 month was
recently voted, Is seventy-three years
of age and quite feeble. He served for
over twenty-five years In the senate
and house and Is most loyable man.
Or. Ettore Marchiafava, who sue.
ceeded the late DR.. Lapponi as private
physician to the pope, was born ffty-
two years ago at civita yecchia and
was principally educated in Rome,
where he is now professor OF patholog-
ical anatomy at the university. He is
the discoverer Of the malarial parasite.
All the justices Of the United States
supreme court except William II. Moo.
dy. the youngest member. are gray
haired. Mr.. Moody is a blond. and bis
hair Is Of that pale straw color which
turns gray only very late ia life. His
rudy complexion gives an additional
touch Of youthfulness. so that the con
trast between MIR. Moody and other
members OF the court IS striking.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-02-25

with Mr.. Hartman in these financial
dealings have been summoned to appear
before the commission, but it is ex-
pected that the entire day tomorrow
will be devoted TO Mr.. Harriman'a ex-
animation. The most important sub
iects on which Mr.. Hartman viii be
questioned are the reorganization Of the
Chicago and Alton railroad company
after control of its stock was acquired
by the Hartman group and the recent
stock operations by which the same
group secured control OF the Illinois
Central, In addition to these two prin-
cipal subjects, Mr.. Hartman viii be
asked TO tell the story Of other large
financial operations, including those con-
nected with the Baltimore and Ohio, and
the Atchison made BY the Union Pacific.
Several members of the commission are
expected to be present at the hearing,
but il is not known how many Of them
win be able to 60 to New York. The
government will be represented by
Frank b. Kellogg and G. a. Severance
Of ST. Paul, special attorneys for the
commission, while Mr.. Harriman's and
the Union Paeiic's interests viii be
looked out for by r. S. Loyett, John G.
Ntilburn and Paul ID. Cravath.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-02-25
smnr b. HNonIsH rwTnL $50.

lining and put In quite close to the
armhole seam. The fronts Of the
blouses are kept In place by inside
puiTs Of lawn or taffeta.
Slant the collar up slightly under the
ear just enough to break the bard,
straight line at the side Of the neck,
but not in an exaggerated point. Have
II high enough, especially at the back,
rs nothing Is ugiIer than an expanse OF
heck between the collar and the hair.
Shadow check batistes are very pref
", and there are other barred and
Swallowed checked white goods. such
MS muslin, swiss and lawn. These ma
terials are to be very much used for
smart morning dresses next summer.
Boys nightshIrts are subjected to
so much hard usage that English twill
Is the material used In the shirt seen
In the cut. II Il trimmed With fancy
cotton bands. JUDO CHOLLET.