Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-03-30
PHONE PEOPLE
ARE CONFESSING
Schmitz Wants Supervisors
to Resign SO lie Can
Kill franchise

San Francisco, March 30.-No meet
ing of the grand jury held yester-
day, pause was given in the bribery
and graft Investigations so far as Of.
fetal action was concerned Today
the grand jury expects to conclude, at
least temporarily, its Investigations
into the alleged bribery Of eighteen sup,
ervisors by the Pacific States and Home
Telephone companies, to which, ac-
cording to the prosecution, seventeen Of
the eighteen have already confessed
before the inquisitorial body. The in
vestigation Of this subject has resulted
in the indictment of several corporation
officials and several members of the
municipal administration. It is the
understanding that no more indictments
will be returned this week.
On Monday the grand jury expects to
resume its investigation Of alleged
bribery of Supervisors in the granting
Of trolley franchises to the United
Railroads and the trial of Abraham
Ruef on the French restaurant ex-
tortion is scheduled for resumption on
Tuesday. Should Assistant District At
torney Heney desire to go ahead with
the bribery Investigations instead of
with the trial of Ruef, the latter may
again be postponed.
Schmitz Still Fighting.
A sensational statement was given
out today by Special Agent VIM. ].
Burns and other members of the pros
ecution, to the effect that Mayor
Schmitz is trying desperately to force
the resignation of five of the supervis-
ors, so, as to defeat an alleged inten-
ton of the supervisorial board to re-
woke certain of the public franchises
which the prosecution claims were Sc
cured by bribing the board. The board
of supervisors is composed Of eighteen
men, sixteen of whom, as the personnel
now stands, are in the list of alleged
confessors. One of these, Sanderson,
is absent for an indefinite time. He is
mortally ill., Two others, Treitmoe and
O'Neill, We're appointed long after the
dubious franchises were granted. This
situation leaves fifteen supervisors
aligned. or one more than necessary to
override any veto by the mayor. The
statement of the prosecution is that
fourteen of these are prepared to
revoke the San Francisco franchises
diluu6u ~ anu IlldL lIl6 UdChcQ
by the corporations which are formally
accused of wholesale bribery, today be-
gan a sudden campaign to induce five
OF them to resign in order that he may
appoint five "dependables'' in their
places and so destroy the power of the
board to do that which the public
service corporations fear, or to over
ride the veto which, the prosecution
claims, he would place upon any revo-
cation act. The mayor refused today to
be interviewed on this or any other
subject.
Spreckles Assures Money.
Rudolph Spreckles, financial guaran-
tor of the prosecution, has given out
a statement respecting the fund or
100000 which he has guaranteed. 1t
was upon this guarantee that the brib-
cry graft investigation was commenced.
Mr. Spreckles said that thus far less
than half as much as has been expended
has been contributed by the citizens of
San Francisco. He added that "the
prosecution will never be hampered by
lack of funds" Mr. Spreckles said the
prosecution expects to send all Of the
chief bride givers. high public service
corporation officials and others to the
penitentiary for the crimes charged
against them. He thought the investi-
cations and prosecutions will extend
throughout the present year.
Everyone Carries Gun.
The sensational statement that every
person openly identified with the pros
ecution of the alleged grafters and
bribers is carrying a revolver conceal
ed about him, that several of the more
prominent are employing body guard,
and that an attempt to rescue Abe
Ruef by force is not unlocked for. was
made today by one of the chief investi-
gators. He also said, and 1t was sub
sequently confirmed, that Ellison Big
gy has given orders to Ruefs seven
guards to shoot Reuf first, the others
afterwards" II an attempt to rescue the
indicted man by armed force is made.
The owners of the Fillmore street
house, to which Ruef has been removed
from the ST. Francis hotel. threaten 4
civil suit against the lessee of the dwell
ing on the ground that he has allowed
it to be turned into a prison. The dis