New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
Crafty Work of Burns, the
Detective. Which Ex-
fOrted Confessions.

Copyright. 1907. by the Western News syndicate)
San Francisco June Much has been written
OF the municipal corruption IN San Francisco and
the successful prosecution of grating officials by
Francis J Heney, Of Oregon land fraud fame and
William J. Burns, Of the United States Secret Ser
vice. The story Of results has reached every ham
let OF America, but the story OF methods employed
70 trap the boodlers in their bribe taking has here
tofore been kept from the public. With fifteen
supervisors sef-branded felons. with the politi
cal boss OF the Pacific metropolis a confessed
CRATER and the Mayor trial for extortion, this
story holds intense interest for all who have fol-
lowed the struggle IN the city by the Golden Gate.
Ordinary methods did not accomplish the down
ran OF Eugene Z. Schmtz and Abraham Ruef.
The usual tricks TO which detectives of either fact
or fiction resort were not called into play. Mr..
Burns realized at the beginning OF the prosecution
that he had arrayed against him a vast and
Ininutsy organized political machine and also the
great financial interests Of certain public service
corporations He understood that fortunes would
be spent 10 block his schemes and that scores or
private detectives would be employed to watch his
every move.
It was last October that Heney and Burns began
their attack upon the grafters intrenched behind
a machine in full control OF the city government
ana dispensing at least 100000 each year in
patronage and favor. At that time the lawyer and
his detective partner had tangible evidence All
they had was the guarantee Of q 100000 fund by
Rudolph spreckels president Of the First National
Bank -Eeney had been appointed an Assistant
District Attorney. and a dependable grand jury
had been drawn. but there was no evidence on
which 20 proceed Ruef was absolute dictator
The mere suggestion that any man with interests
emenable TO police supervsoria regulation could
be found willing 10 testify against him was the
occasion for sGeer. The public laughed at Heney
ana regarded the prosecution only half seriously
q a legitimate pursuit Of the municipal grafters
Just weak spot the astute detective found IN
the arch az corruption. A petty political jealousy
had slightly estranged Ruef and Frank Maestreth.
one OF his most trusted lieutenants Maestretu
had served president OF the Board Of Public
Works and notoriously implicated in the city
administrations grating. He had been politically
intimate with the Mayor and the boss, and had
been placed by them AT the head or the depart
ment where privileges were on sale and official
permits had their cash value. For four years
3Iaestretu had served in such a capacity. Natu-
rally he had gained knowledge that held unbounded
possibilities for Burns. Promptly the detective
eomprehendeG the situation. and wisely he began
his work by leading toward the enlistment Of the
sisgruntled district lieutenant az an ally Of the
prosecution.
TWO years previously Maestretti had barely es-
capped conviction for participation In election
frauds. The jury IN his case voted for acouittal
upon technica.ity, but two confederates. Charle9
Wynan and Adolph stefens, were convicted ana
~~os TO state prison for the same offence.