The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-18
Schmitz's Surrender of the
Frisco City Government
Is Contained in Written Prom
Use to the Committee.
TO Do AS THEY SAY.
Gives His Word to Carry Out
Their Recommendations.
Calhoun Denies Bribery Charge
in Every Detail.

San Francisco, Cal, May 1s.-Not-
withstanding the many contradictory
stories told about the scope and pow
err of the committee of seven it is now
generally conceded that the admins
tration of municipal affairs in this city
is to some extent at least in its hands.
BY written agreement, Mayor Schmitz
has bound himself, it is said, to carry
out any request which this committee
made up of representatives of the five
leading commercial organizations of
the city, may make of him. The COM
mittee has already begun an investf-
cation into the conduct of. the police
department and will gradually extend
the scope of its action to the works
board, street department and other
branches of the municipal govern
ment.
Its purpose is to. make a thorough
inquiry into the conditions that exist
in various branches of the city gov
eminent and to make such changes in
personnel and methods as shall be
judged necessary.
1--WE hold Mayor Schmitz's written
promise to carry out the wishes and
instructions of the committee in adj
ministering the affairs of the city,
said F. w. Van Sicklen, a member of
the committee of seven. THE COM
mittee'S agreement with Mayor
Schmitz is short, barely embracing
ten lines of writing, but it contains
his sweeping promise to act suitably
and completely as the committee may
direct. Mayor Schmitz has not re-
signed. All reports to the contrary
are erroneous. The only writing be-
tween him and the committee is this
10 line agreement. If we demand
the removal of the chief of police. OF
any commission, or any official con-
nected with the city government he
must remove those whom we desig-
nate or go back on his written prom
FVI- - L l. F. l..
his promise. If he disregards that we
can do nothing, but believe he will
do anything the committee asks I
believe that he is not only willing. but
anxious to do what we want"
Calhoun Denies Everything.
San Francisco, May 1s.-Patrfck
Calhoun president of the United rail-
roads, whose name has been mention
ed in connection with the investigation
of the bribery of municipal officers in
this city has issued the following state
''To the American People: The
newspapers of this city published this
morning contain sensational state
ments purporting to give testimony of
Mr.. Abraham Ruef before the grand
jury. 1t is allegedsthat he confessed
that the United railroads through
some of it's officials bribed the super
visors to grant the permit for the. over
head trolley over certain OF its rail-
roads. I do not know If Mr.. Ruef.
made any such statements. If he did.
they are untrue, I repeat with renewed
emphasis my former declaration that
no officials of this company ever brib-
ed any one. authorized Mr. Ruef or
any one else to bride anybody, knew of
any bribery. or approved of any brib-
cry.
"I charge the prosecution with hav-
ing prostituted the great office of the
district attorney to further the plans
of private malice in the interest of a
man who organized the municipal
street railway of, San Francisco on the
18th day of April. 1906. the day be-
fore the earthquake and fire with a
capital stock of $14,000,000 of which
100000 was subscribed for as fol-
lows:
CLAUS spreckels. subscribed ST.
O James D. Pheian. subscribed ST.
100000.
George Winfield. subscribed $780,
600.
Rudolph spreckels, subscribed ST.
900, 900.
"Charles S. Wheeler, subscribed
100000.
"Ten per cent or $45o.oO0 was paid
in cash as shown by the affidavit OF
the treasurer of the company, James
Moffat. duly filed in the county clerks
Office