The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-04-25
SEARCRLIGHT To
De TURNED upon
GEORGE HATTON
Heney and Burns Investigate
Story Of Alleged
Conspiracy
WANT FULL DETAILS
Plot of Ruef to Escape
From Prosecution
Suspected
TWO DEALS MADE
Herrin and Sratton Also
Figure in the Latest
Developments
TWO DEALS MADE

That the graft prosecutors are
preparing to explode another big
sensation is known. While gather
ing evidence of police corruption
from Captain Mooney, they are
skillfully throwing their lines
about city and state politicians
who were willing to deal with
Ruef and Schrnitz a few months
ago. They are determined to en-
mesh men who are clamoring for
opportunity to repudiate the boss
and his mayor.
George F. Hatton, political
manager for United States Sen
ator Perkins and first lieutenant
for William FHerrin, is under
investigation Heney and Burns
want to know what Hatton
knows. and it IS to compel him
to testify that the graft searchIight
has been turned upon his past
The prosecution believes that Hatton
can tell the grand jury much from his
intimate knowledge Of two deals. in
one Of which he represented Perkins
and in the other Herrin. IN one Abe
Ruef and Collector Of the Port Fred
stratton were concerned and in the
other Mayor Schmitz and the political
interests Of the Southern Pacific. The
scene of one lay in the Crocker build
ing before the fire. while the other had
its setting in the Sea Beach hotel Of
Santa Cruz during the last republican
state convention.
The story goes back to the inception
Of the prosecution fnaugurated by
Heney and Burns. Already strong ef-
fort has been made to get it from Hat
tons lips. He has been called before
the grand jury. but was not given the
desired information. Stronger pressure
viii be brought to bear.
Many months before Heney was
given Official position by District At
torney Langdon he had accepted the
commission to prosecute Ruef and
schmitz with the assistance Of Burns.
In February of 1906 it was finally set
tied that the noted land fraud lawyer
and detective were to come to San
Francisco and investigate the many
charges OF municipal graft. 1t was
arranged that both were to be relieved
from government work and be free to
devote all their time to this city
Those negotiations were carried on
quietly. but IN some way news Of the
! prosecutions plans Is said to have
reached the ears OF Ruef It is with
what occurred thereafter that George
Batton is concerned.
The first plan was to proceed. against
Ruef before a United States grand jury
and bring him to trial IA federal
court on charges that were to be
founded upon the alleged Illegal land
ing OF Chinese. AZ that time it was
feared that his political influence
would prevent any successful prose-
cution in the superior court.
WANTS HATToN TO TALK
But. not considering the accusations
that were then contemplated against
Ruef. the prosecution wants Hatton to
testify concerning an alleged confer
ence. between Fred stratton and him
self in Hatton's law Office Stratton is
said TO have FASTENED TO Hatton for ad-
vice-to have told Hatton of call he
had just received from Ruef and to
have asked what he should do. Ruef
it is declared, had demanded that the
collector Of the port immediately COM
municate with Perkins and have the
Senator intercede at Washington to the
end that Burns should not be relieved
from his work IN the secret service
Ruef is said to have told Stratton that
he would turn ali his political power
against both him and Perkins If the
telegram We're not sent to the senator
without delay.
Then stratton went to Hatton. Ac-
Continued on PAGE f. Column