Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-24
Witnesses Examined

from the east, Whlch Wlll DC III d NSiy
few days. n,n,
Witnesses Examined
Five witnesses were examined by the
grand jury yesterday in connection
with the graft investigation. About
twelve others fretted and fumed out
side the jury room doors, impatientiy
waiting for summons to enter. They
were disappointed, however, and when
the Jury adjourned at AIS o'clock were
told to go home and return Monday
morning.
The witnesses examined yesterday
were Pitt p. Hand; Earl Straehan, q
reporter; Albert Searl, broker; Pearl
Morton, Gladys Rice and Oscar w. But
teroff, a patrolman. The two women
have spent three days awaiting call
from the grand jury. Before they en-
tered the chamber they could give no
reason for their summons. When they
came out they would give no 1nforma-
tion regarding the questions put 10
them. Pearl Morton was at one time
proprietress of the Arlington, an Ala
media street resort, and Gladys Rlce
conducted place on Commercial street.
They are supposed to have been ques-
toned in regard to the purchase OF
stock in the Pacific Sugar corporation,
inquiry into which, 1t is believed, was
begun on the first day of their appear
ance.
Hand Called Frequently
Hand is a former newspaper man.
He appeared before the grand jury
Yesterday for the third time within
week and is thought to have been ques-
toned concerning the sale of stock IN
the Los Angeles-U Utah OIL company.
The books of this company have mys-
Il. hn
when he entered the jury room yester-
day carried a large bundle of beoks
and papers, and these are supposed to
have had a bearing on the oil company
investigation. When he emerged ne
was minus the books and papers. They
were in evidence, however, few mo-
ments later when Deputy District At
torney John North came from the jury
room, carrying them under his arm.
district Attorney Fredericks ana
Deputy North conducted the fnvestiga-
ton yesterday forenoon, Hand being
the witness the entire first half or the
day. Capt. Fredericks explained MS
deputy's presence IN tne grand Jury
room by saying he would be given
charge of certain parts of the invesu-
CATION, the work being too much for
one man.
When asked how many witnesses
could be expected in connection with
the investigation, the district attorney
said the number might reach 500.
1.-THE fact is" he said, ''I don't know.
We are going to reach the bottom In
this matter, no matter how deep 1t is
or how hard a jolt results, If it takes
a hundred witnesses they will be sub
poenaed; If 500, we will get them. The
Investigation will be thorough; l can
say that much"
Among the witnesses in waiting but
who were not called were a number
Of patrolmen and police officials. who,
it is believed, will testify concerning
affairs in the "redlight district"
John c. Edwards, formerly owner OF
the Bismarck cafe, at the corner of
Winston and Main streets, was new
arrival yesterday. His place was
known for years as the Bucket of
Blood" and was regarded as one OF
the most notorious resorts in the city.
His license was revoked June 2. When
asked why, Edwards spread out his
hands and shrugged his shoulders. He
Is thought to have knowledge of af-
fairs in the tenderloin district,
George Rutz was also among those
whose names were not called For two
days he has waited to hear the sum-
mons. Yesterday he paced up and
down the corridor and waxed wrathy
at the delay.
Accuses Royal Arch
Rutz up to February was proprietor
of Main street winery for a couple of
years. He refused to join the Royal
Arch. Then his troubles began. He
was in a mood yesterday to tell the
grand jury some things about assess
ments, and would like to know what
was done with the proceeds.
II wouldn't join" he said, "and was
placed on the black list. When called
on my customers later they paid out
standing bills, and said they were sorry
but could not buy from me in the flu
ture. 1 asked them why, and they re-
piled, "Oh, we'll, 1 cannot do it; l don't
care to state the reason"
RutZ said he then made. application
for membership and was told it would
cost him $245 'I refused to pay it,"
he said, land was virtually compelled
to quit business. 1 am glad of 1t. l
am out of that business now and VIII
stay out"
"Where did the money that was col
lected from members go?" he was
askc :.
81 don't know; politics, I suppose"
he replied.
Among other witnesses, not exam
ined yesterday were Sergeant White
of the University police station; Frank
Mack and Peter McGann, patroimen;
Arthur Trident, humane officer, and
Anthony Sch ANN. The latter ac-
knowledged he had been a director of
the Los Angeles-Uta Oil company, but
said he was elected without his con-
sent.
81 never paid a dollar or had any
stock in the company he said 1.-THE
fact is, I knew nothing about it,"
The grand jury will meet again at 10
o'clock Monday.