The San Francisco call., 1908-09-01
CAlHOUN'S FRIEND
ADMITS BRIBERY
Herbert George of Citizens AIIi-
ance Gives New Version
Of Trolley Deal
Intended Defense a Practical
Confession on Behalf of the
United Railroads


Herbert George, sometime manager
OF the Citizens alliance in san Fran
cisco. is the author Of an entirely new
explanation OF how and why and to
whom the United Railroads paid the
500, 600 Of Doodle money for trolley
franchises His fearful and wonderful
tale is told in Clay's Review, a Denver
weekly, having been timed for publica-
uon on the day when Francis J. Heney
was billed to speak. Neither George
nor the weekly paper knew that Heney
had wired canceling the date, SO the
attempt TO backcap the graft fighter
was a shot fired in the air
Georges story. though obviously de-
signed as defense OF the United Rail-
roads and Calhoun, is likely to make
the gritty Nirginian," as George calls
him. grit his teeth. George admits too
much for the comfort of the trolley
trist- And he defends what he admits
by statements palpably false. The trou-
hlesome part of the affair for the troll
ley boodlers is that as head OF the Citi-
Zens' alliance George was hand and
glove with the United Railroads Of
ficials, for whom his tender heart still
thrObs in sympathy. He may be the
= dear friend of the indicted bribe givers,
but he talks too much.
GEORGE TELLS WEIRD TALE
Georges tale Of Doodle says in part:
Two weeks after the. great earth0uske and
-hUe the poor distracted laborers and business
men plOdded miles through the ashes and de
lris. that lay between the ferry house and the
unhurned district. where effort was being
made 70 get business. started again. The
streetcar company did the best it could to re-
habilitate its wreck and provide trans portation
facilities. IN the unburned district where elec
Ericity was in use the JOB Of getting cars
Ing Was a matter Of only few weeks: but the
ines most needed were the lines leading down
Market and Sutter streets. which formerly
Were cable lines reaching clear through to the
ferry house; The big power houses for driving
these cables were completely destroyed and en-
sinecrS who carefully figured the matter out
cpncluded' IL would take AT least is months
70 restore the cable service This decision
hlled the hearts Of the people with dismay, and
in view Of this situation a short term fran
chise was granted by the city council to elec
EitF Sutter and Market streets, so as to en-
able the people 10 secure the temporary trans
portatiOD they badly needed 81 getting back
and forth between the nburned. district and
The people on all sides urged Calhoun to ac-
cept the short franchise and go ahead. but
when the time came 10 raise money on the
short franchise II was found 10 be utterly i'm
possible 70 raise cent This proposition was
laid before the chamber Of commerce. mer-
clants exchange, board OF trade. and all other
civic bodies. and after much deliberatiOn these
mat 10 secure a longer franchise, or fran
chise on which money could be borrowed IL
would be, necessary TO pay Ruef and Schmitz
Sz1o,pSo to distribute among the labor union
members of the city council. Denunciations
loud and long were hurled at the recreant city
servants bur nothing would move them but
Calhoun's 100000. and finally. as q matter OF
public convenience. these various commercial
bodies and the leading citizens of San. Fran
100000, get his franchise and get. his roads
electrified and in operation soon as possible
SAYS MONEY WAS PAID
The labor unions were as indignant and
worked as asssduously as the chamber Of COM
merce and other commercial bodies TO force the
council 10 give tie franchise free Of charge
no blame attach to the labor unions
for the greed and graft displaved bv Ruef and
Schmitz Neither the unions nor the commercial
bodies. however. had the courage 10 face the
situation and hght the grafters SO long the
through the dust. debris ana wrecKage Of the
ruined streets.
known 10 everybody in San Francisco. Some
stood for it. but the majority of the people re-
5led .;- bgt there was nc no way ous ot it aud
cial bodies and the leading citizens TO stand
ia. holdup; and. 10 make long story short,
calhoun D. SAID To- have done he WAS adj
visel and paid the money. Nov the
Dig men iu the commercial bodies and the in
hucntial citizens are diselaiming responsibility
and sidestepping the issue and leaving him to
fight his own battles single handed and alone.
MAKES THRUST AT HERRIN
George just loves Calhoun and the
United Railroads. but he has a sore
spot that aches when he thinks of. Her
rim and the Southern Pacific His tale
proceeds
Do his endeavors TO put Calhoun into prison
N.Y. heney has found the big Southern Pacific
corporation playing both sides Of the question.
Tho Southern Pacific controls politics on the
coast. and the courts from Mendocino 10 San
Diego are forced 10 sit uD and take notice when
Mr. Herrin crooks his finger. Herrin is in the
tichtest box Of all because Mr. HeneF IS trying
to catch him. and when it was necessary 10
secure supreme court decision TO give Ruef
new trial Herrin there with the goods
and the decision secured: but the Southern
Pacific is the background and Calhoun makes
the light alone. In the end Calhoun viii escape
prison. he ought TO. because he does not
deserve 10 20 there for giving the bOoding
grafters the 500. 600 everybody advised him 10
give In order 10 secure immediate street trans
portatiOn facilities. Ruef and Sehmitz will 20
free because the Southern Pacific cannot afford
to let them 20 TO prisOn-tbey know too much.
AS might have been expected, George
prophesies q glorious vindication for
Calhoun, who up TO date vigorously
denies exactly what George admits on
his behalf-the payment of bribes for
the trolley franchises