davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
LEAP YEAR SHYNfSS
CUTS HYMfN'S TOLL
State Statistician Says Mar
riages Are Few Because
of Coy W0manh0od

The year now drawing to close has
but somewhat dull for the dealers in
marriage licenses. The cause has been
variously attributed, but it has re-
NAMED for George d. Leslie, statis-
tician of the state board of health, to
offer what is regarded as the true solu-
tion. Leslie attributes it to the shy
ness of California womanhood during
the leap year season. In regard to the
matter Leslie says in his latest bulle-
tin:
1T may be remarked that because
of the shyness of women concerning
leap year proposals. the marriage total
for 1908 bids fair to fall short of that
for 1907 by 1000 or so. Thus, the
marriages in California for January to
November, 1908, number only 19,761.
against 2o,745 for January to November,
1907
Leslie is an expert on figures and his
opinion that the decrease in matrimony
is due to the shyness of the women OF
California may therefore be taken as
official 1t Is a new field, however. that
Leslie enters when he attempts to
regulate romance by the rule of three.
He has estimated cotton crops for the
government to the ounce, he has meas
ured the railroad mileage of the coun-
try and, in short, has interpreted in
mathematical terms everything chat
grows within the domain of Uncle Sam.
He has even counted up the population,
but never before has he essayed to
evolve feminine philosophy from a col
umn of figures.
But Leslie does not dwell long on the
romantic. He passes quickly to the
tragic and then on through the regu-
lar gamut of health statistics. He
points out that the birth totals are
now about equal to the deaths and at
tributes this to the improved system of
the registration of births.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
AUTO ACCIDENT INJURIES
MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES
Rib and Arm Broken by Col
lision in Which Machine
Was Not Damaged

LOS ANGELES. Dec. 24.-Mayor A.
C. Harper was severely injured in an
automobile accident at $40 o'clock to-
night at the corner of Twenty-fourth
and Union streets.
The automobile in which he was
riding collided with another automo-
bile as it rounded corner, and the
mayor was thrown to the pavement
He walked unassisted to nearby
drug store. however. and from there to
his home four blocks distant. carry
ing double armful of Christmas
packages.
A physician was called to attend him
and discovered that the mayor had
sustained fractured rib. and that one
of the bones of his left arm was
broken No one else was injured and
the cars were not badly damaged.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
P. CLAUD|ANES
ADMITS GUILT
AS DYNAM|TfR
Convict Says Witnesses Against
Him Told Truth, Naming
Burns in Particular
Statement Made to District Att
torney DOnahue in Alameda
County Jail Yesterday
John Will Be Arraigned Monday
and May Get Light Sentence
by Waving Trial

OAKLAND, Dec. 24.-"The witnesses
against me told the truth; Detective
Burns story was true, and he told 1t
fairly. I have no feeling against any
one who took part in sending me across
the bay" The foregoing statement was
made by Peter Claudianes yesterday to
District Attorney Donahue at the county
jail
Peter Claudianes has feeling of bit
terness against his brother John, whose
confessions enmeshed the pair in the
tolls of the police Peter believes that
but for his brothers confessions he
would be free man today.
Realizing that he must expiate his
tin. Peter hopes to be pardoned for good
behavior and repentance after he has
served 10 or more years. Speaking of
the future. Peter said yesterday:
Il am going to observe every rule
in force at San Quentin. 7 will be the
model prisoner in that place, for /
have determined to begin at the very
start to win pardon by good behavior.
believe that an effort will be made
in my behalf after 1 have proved that
I have repented.'
With tear dimmed eyes and blanched
cheeks. it was very humble and contrite
Peter who unbosomed himself to Dis
trict Attorney Domaine YESTERDAY
Peter stfll retains the hope that a
higher eourt may overrule the decision
of Judge Waste which sends him to san
Quentin for his natural life. But. in
spite of Peters boast that there were
higher courts than the superior court
the young Greek is not relying upon
this last straw
Peter Claudianes has been revealed
as youth of better education than was
commonly supposed. He stated yester-
day that he once studied in San Fran
cisco law office and had made consid-
cradle progress.
His commitment to the penitentiary
at San Quentin has been made out by
District Attorney Donahue. but he may
not be taken there until Monday.
John Claudianes will appear on Mon
day and have the date set for his trial
Johns completely in the crime of dyna-
hitting the Schenck and Gallagher
houses is not as clear as Peters, and
he may be shown to have had only
criminal knowledge of Peters plans
and activities. If he can be induced to
plead guilty his punishment may be
made light.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
REFUSES NEW POLICIES
UNTIL YEAR is ENDED
New York Life Insurance Conn
pany Will Lose About
$4,000, 900 as Result
[Spcciol Dispatch 10 The Cali

Especial Dispatch 10 The Call
NEW YORK, Dec. 24.--For the first
time in the history of the life insurance
business in the United States. the New
York life insurance company this
morning refused to write any new
policies for the remainder of the year
1908. The announcement was made in
a brief statement by Darwin P. Kings
ley. president.
AS a result approximately $500
agents throughout the United states
are thrown out of employment for a
brief time. The loss in business to
the New York life will approximate
$1,000, 600 a day for the five remaining
business days of the year.
The law restricting the amount of
new business of a life insurance COM
pany to s15oo00oOO year was passed
in 1906, following the Investigations of
the Armstrong committee and became
effective January |, 1907.
A concerted effort was made last
year by the insurance companies to
have the section of the new insurance
laws limiting new business repealed.
The bill was passed near the close of
the session and did not receive the
signature of Governor Hughes, and
thus failed to become a law. This
year a still more determined effort is
to be made for the repeal
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
Detectives Show Papers to Stop
Exodus of Suspects, Even
for Holiday Visits
Twenty-three Warrants Charg.
ing Corruption Ready for
Service After Festivities
Persons Guilty OF Grating Seek
to Cover Tracks and Buy
OFF Detectives
Wealthy Citizens Promise vOt-
ers' League to Supply Funds
Needed for Prosecution
Especial Dispatch to The Call


~ ITTSBURG. Pa. Dec. .4-rt
~ leaked out from the police to-
night that there have been at
least % more warrants secured
in the graft cases. Orders were given,
however. not to serve them until some
time after Christmas. but in the mean
time those who are wanted will be kept
under close surveillance.
Within the last 4s hours there have
been not less than score of prominent
men, councilmen and others. ordered
not to leave the city even for the holi-
days.
Last night two Pittsburgers who had
intended joining their wives in the east.
where they had preceded them for
Christmas, were stopped at the depot
by two strangers, who told them not TO
leave town at this time.
The businessmen were inclined to
protest, but were quickly. sf1encsd when
shown certain papers in the hands Of
the strangers. who proved to be de-
tectives. One of the detectives was
overheard to say:
Just start something and you will
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
BOYS TRY
TO BURN COMP PANION
Pile Leaves and Brush About
Youth and Set Fire to
finder Like Debris
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

STOCKTON. Dec. 24.-The timely ar
rival this morning of number of work
men on the Western Pacific tracks in
response to cries from Harold Boyd, a
15 year old youth, who. while intoxi-
Gated as result of drinking bout,
in which he and band OF boys OF his
own age participated, saved the youth
from being burned to death.
Boyd became helplessly intoxicated
and his companions carried him from
the railroad yards to a nearby grove.
Leaves and brush were piled up around
the boy and fire started. BY the time
the employees arrived the helpless youth
had been severely burned and skin
grating may have to be resorted to by
the attending physicians.
Some of the boys have been arrested
for the offense. but as yet no complaint
has been sworn to.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
Yields to Appeals and Orders
BOnaparte to GO Over
Proceedings
Cabinet Meeting May Be Called
to Consider Attorney
Generals Report
Decision May Put Labor ir
> Political Arena as Power
full Separate Force
Especial Dispatch TO The Call

Wv WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-As a
w :s' : vs5.s: ri n: 3: s;s.;:' ii: ss 's:
court Of the district of Co
IUmbis, sentencing the labor leaders,
Samuel Gompers, John Mitchell and
Frank Morrison, to jail for contempt of
court, President Roosevelt has been
bombarded by kilograms of protest
from labor leaders and labor organiza-
tons
no one was surprised TO hear today
that Che president had yielded to the
kilograms and had asked Attorney
General Bonaparte to go over the pro-
ceedings- No one can see just how the
president can act. Indeed. the verdict
is in line with his we'll known opinions
against the boycott. which were con-
demned by the report Of the coal strike
commission of 1923. It is said that
appeals and protests literally by the
score have been received by President
Roosevelt in the Imprisonment sem
tences. No public announcement wiz
be made from the White House pending
the examination Of the case by Bona
parte and until after there has been a
conference and probably a cabinet
meeting.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
CANADIANS SEEK CONTROL
OF NORTHERN FISHERIES
Vancouver Board of Trade Urges
Dominion Government to
Assert Sovereignty

VANCOUVER, b. c.. Dec 24.-The
fisheries committee of the board OF
trade is preparing a strong memorial
asking the dominion government to de-
fine the sovereignty of Canada in the
north Pacific owing TO the alleged
poaching of American halibut fishing
boats in Canadian waters.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
MCCLELLAN CLOSES ALL
MOVING PICTURE SHOWS
Concerted Action of Clergy Of
New York City Against
These Places

NEW YORK, Dec. 24.-Moved by the
protests of many ministers. who COM
planned to him that the great majority
of the $50 moving picture shows of
Greater New York were exhibiting pic
lures detrimental to the morals of the
youth of the city, Mayor Mcclellan to-
day revoked the license of every pic
ture show
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
HENEY CARRIES PISTOL;
WILL TAKE NO CHANCES
Graft Prosecutor, in Washing-
ton, Explains Presence OF
Revolver in Hip Pocket
Dispoich 10 The ColIl

Especial Dispatch 10 he Call
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-Francis J..
Heney, the San Francisco prosecutor
who was shot at the Ruef trial last
month, stepped into the Willard hotel
barber shop today and removed his
coat, revealing a big revolver protrud-
ing from his hip pocket. 7 am not
taking any chances now" he said
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
INDEX OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO CALLS
NEWS TODAY
TELEPHONE KEARNY SO
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 25. 1908
WEATHER CONDITIONS

YESTERDAY-Clear; cast wind; maximum
temperature. %; minimum 45.
FORECAST FOR ToDAY-Fair; light north
west wind Page 13
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
FIashIight Picture Shown

There were some interesting develop
ments in the case of the f1ashlight pic
ture of grating councilmen caught in
the act at the Fort Pitt hotel Coun-
Gilman Joseph Wasson was named this
afternoon as the man who was caught
by the camera and it was this picture.
shown privately yesterday by the au-
thorities, that lost wasson his position
with one of the largest houses in Pitts
burg. His employers also withdrew
their $4,000 bail bond.
Mayor Guthrie's lieutenants report
that a bold attempt has been made to
bribe even the detectives who secured
the evidence against the seven coun-
cilmen and two bankers who have been
held for trial. Those after the testi-
mony do not ask that it be given them
alone or that it be withheld from those
who first employed the detectives. but
that they simply be given duplicates
of it so that they will be able to get
up a defense by the time of the trial
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
SUBURBAN

Captain Petersen Of oakland detective bureau
given gold aud diamond star. Page 4
Man secures return of money from alleged
fake educational societies. Page 4
Graduates Of state university ia campaign 10
secure appropriations from legislature for agri-
cultural college building and faeuIty sal
aries Page 4
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25

Earl Of Granard comes to arrange for we'd
ding with Miss Beatrice Mills. Page
Higher ups involved in Pittsburg scandal and
businessmen denied right to leave, city war
rants for % being held for service after holi-
days. Page
Roosevelt orders Bonapsrte to rcrev proceed
ings in labor leaders Page
schooner is wrecked and captain and five mem
bers Of crew are drowned. Page z
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
SPORTS

Prince Ahmed breaks track record at Arcadia
and wins Estrella handicap. Page III
Jefries declares he is out of ring for good
and viii not fight winner Of Burns johnson
match. Page 10
cha mpi0nship fch tomorrow Page 10
JockeT Smiling Joe Notter makes ausnicious
debut at EmeryEile. Page 10
Eetchel may meet winner of big fight in Aus
iralis. Page 10
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
MARINE

Pacific Mail liner San Jose brings big ship
ment OF gold from ports OF the lower coast
but arrived here with only one cabin passen-
ger Page I3
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
COAST
EASTERN

Drunken youths try 10 eremste helpless com.
panion and railway laborers rescue him from
death. though he suffers serious burns. Page ]
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
Considerd as Crisis

No conceslment is made among labor
leaders that the sentence is considered
by them 10 have brought a crisis in
the affairs Of the American federation
Of labor. Labor leaders throughout
The country are demanding that the
federation take prompt action show
ing the attitude of organized labor
toward the decision
Some so so far as TO point out a
certain parallel brought about by this
decision as climax TO long period
Of agitation between the labor situa-
tion as it was in England as a result
OF the Tsft-Vale and other decisions.
The result there, they point out. was
To put labor into politics as a party
with the resultant election of some so
members of the parliament and subse-
quent passage Of the old age pension law
and an increase OF agitation for other
socislistic measures.
Labor then. in short. abandoned the
policy (Which Cfompers has folIowed)
Of seeking to get legislative favors
from the existing parties and en-
tered the political arena as a sopa-
rate force. This move they fear may
be followed by similar politico-labor
development in the United States, la
bor's smliation with the democratic
party having proved such fasco.
Differ Over Sentence
Opinions as to whether the con-
victed labor leaders will eventually
serve their sentences widely vary.
Lawyers sersed in the practices and
precedents Of the district court of ap-
peaIs believe that the writ OF Ger
tiorari to carry the case TO the su-
preme court Of the United States in
case Judge wrights decision is upheld
viii not be granted.
President Gompers was not in his
Office today and no information was
given out there as TO where he could
be found. Secretary Morrison was at
the federation headquarters. however,
busy with his routine duties. Active
steps in the framing of the fight
against the carrying out of the SEN
tences are not likely until next week.
Bryan Wires GOmpers
WASHINGTON. Dec. 24.-Wnliam J.
Bryan was chief among nearly two
score Of men who today sent messages
expressing their cordial sympathy to
President Gompers, Vice President
Mitchell and Secretary Morrison Of the
American federation of labor
The messages. which voiced the SEN
tiu,ents OF persons in almost every ave-
nue OF labor. convey feelings of regret
over the courts decision. extend moral
and financial support and express In
dignation-
Bryan. in telegram dated Pittsburg.
Pa. says:
sorry TO read decision. You did
your duty in testing law Glad you
arc taking appeal"
What action on the part of organ
fzed wage earners viii, in your opin-
ion. be most useful to re-establish free
dom OF the press and speech2" asked
n. 3. Perham. president of the order of
railroad telegraphers, in a telegram
from st. Louis. addressed TO Gompers.
Perhaps one OF the most unique
among the messages is that from J. s.
Par.x Of Oklahoma city, who, after ex-
preAing regret over the decision, de-
slsres:
stay with the baggage; right must
prevail"
w. .. Mahon. president of the ANAL
ganaated Association of Street Railway
Continued on Page 2, Column
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25

Angeles for speaker of assembly. Page
CITY
Brother kills brother in pistol duel in Ms
souri, Page
Promotion clubs OF Mission will vie in turnout
Of gay floats New Years eve. Page ID
Millionaire Hanbury says he has willed all his
property TO his wife Page IA
Senator Edward ]. Wolfe denies concurring
with Congressman Smith to aid power com
panies. Page
Christmas services viii be held in many
churches Of this city today. Page
State statstician officially says marriages for
1908 were few owing TO the shyness of women
in leap year. ~ Page L
Salvation Army passes out ], 900 baskets OF
Christmas food 10 deserving poor. Page
Burglars rob Santa's Christmas pack in Wells
Fargo office. Page 3
Former acting Chief of Police Cutler, Captain
Duke and Sergeants Laying and Matthewson sued
for rsiding Chinese club. Page 8
Coast chambers Of commerce aroused by de-
preston in shipping caused in a measure by gov
ernment loading in foreign bottoms. Page II
Mystery surrounds the poisoning of woman
her daughter and lodger in hat as they had not
eaten same food. Page Ia
Twenty jobs on police force awarded 10y civil
service commission come as Christmas pres
ents. Page 3
Auto company plans TO keep open house on
New Years day. Page :
Auditor holds up salary claim of acting Chief
of Police Cutler. Page 3
Worthy poor may get medicines free at Owl
drug stores order of physicians Page II
Shippers will not onIy protest against increase
in rates but may demand decrease. Page 3
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
Early Trials Are Promised

Plans are on foot to give the nine
defendants a court trial as soon as pos
sible. 1t is believed that District At
torney Blakely. who has taken charge
of the matter, will present the cases
to the grand jury early next month BY
the latter part of February it is ex-
pected the trials will be under way.
There probably will not be coun-
cilmanic investigation of the scandal.
According to a leading independent
membes OF the council such an investi-
cation would give no substantial re-
suits.
A member of the Voters league is
authority for the statement that a great
number of prominent and wealthy
Pittsburgers have hurried TO the front
to offer any assistance in making the
cleanup complete. The voters
league depends on donations of money
to carry on it's work. and numerous
wealth. citizens have told it to ~go
the Init
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
Graft Syndicate Large

The price offered for this testimony
was so large that it shows the graft
syndicate to be much larger than any
one had suspected and it has been de-
cided to lay OFF all detectives who had
been working <on the case and take on
new men,
Apparently both the prosecution and
defense are getting their second wind
following the sensational developments
of yesterday.
1t is said that the efforts OF the in
vestigators will now be directed toward
others implicated in the alleged cor
ruption. One of them said today that
quick action was necessary, as un-
doubtedIy persons guilty of grating
were frightened and endeavoring to
eliminate all traces of their participa-
tion.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
Scandal Affects Candidates

have a potent effect on the city election
in February. Every faction of politics
is stirred to the depths and a Hood OF
denials is being made by prospective
candidates that they were implicated
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
POLITICS

Local legislators favor Perkins return 10
United States senate and Phil Stanton of Los
Angeles for speaker of assembly. Page 2
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
EDITORIAL
GRAFT

Abe Ruef gains delay in being sentenced by
using old tactics TO block courts. Page 3
Peter Claudianes admits guilt of dynamiting
win work in prison for pardon. Page
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25

oontinued ON rase 2, coIumn 2
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25

The houing of San Fran
eisco's northern fleet. Dhich
scours far seas in search of fish.
furs and ph0lcs. is the subject
of an article bu Fred r. Bcch-
dOlt in The Sunday Call.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-04-23
ROSS-Huf1treS Company,
Cor West Grove StS. RUTLAND, VERMONT.

with the chief officer and perhaps four
survivors Of the explosion, made up the
list OF living but noneffective members
OF the ships company. There was one
other, Guglielmo Frascuelo, who was
bawling for dear life In his bunk in
the forecastle, but In that dark hour no
one chanced to remember him, and II
needed more than human voice to
pit itself against the hurricane which
roared over the vessel. The unhappy
wretch knew that something out Of the
ordinary had taken place, and he was
scared half out OF his wits by the con-
tlnued absence of the crew. Luckily
for himself, he did not appreciate the
real predicament Of the ship or he
would have ravcd himself into mad
ness.
Walker In his brief catalogue Of oc-
cupations had suppressed one. To
make sure Christobal closed water
tight bulkhead door which cut Off the
principal staterooms from the salon.
Then he and his two helpers carried
out a painful but necessary task 1t
was his duty to certify whether or not
life was extinct. There were very few
exceptions. The three men lifted the
bodies and threw them overheard.
When they reached the corpses Of the
second officer and a Spanish engineer
who had been knitted In the defense Of
the jolly boat-hls comrnde had scram-
bled into one of the lIfeboats-Tolle-
mache took possession of such money,
documents and valuables as were In
their pockets, intending to draw up an
inventory when an opportunity pre-
sented itself.
Though they knew not the moment
when slckening crash would herald
the final dissolution Of the ship, they
proceeded with their work metbodic-
ally. In half an hour they had reached
the end. All the injured men-seven
nondescript sailors and fremen--were
carried TO the salon and placed under
Christobal's care. Walker dived below
to the engine room, where he had al.
ready disconnected the rods broken or
bent by the fracture OF guard ring,
which In turn was injured by the |
out Of junk ring. stout
ring OF forged steel secured to one OF
the pistons. He could do nothing more
on deck. Whether he was destined to
live fifty seconds or as many years. he
was III content TO hear his beloved en-
glnes knocking themselves to pieces
with each roll OF the ship.
Tollemache, who undertook the flr-
Ing Of the donkey boiler, which was
situated on the main deck aft Of the
the Kansas was built
chiefly TO accommodate cargo during