The San Francisco call., 1908-12-04
Luther Browns Attempt to
Bribe John Lawlor Known
for Almost a Year
Burns Assistant Kept His Chief
Posted Regarding Pay
mentS of Money
Evidence duplicates United Rail.
roads Employe in Disappear
ance of Alex Latham

The allied detective forces of the
United Railroads and Abe Ruef were
thrown into a state of decentralization
yesterday by the revelations involving
Luther Brown in the attempt to bribe
John Lawlor, a member of Burns staff
and an official employe of the city of
San Francisco. The detectives scat
tered from their meeting places and
only one was in evidence about the
grand jury's quarters
Brown has not only been caught in
the trap set by Lawlor and Burns, but
he was implicated yesterday in the
flight of Alex Latham. Ruefs chauffeur.
The evidence duplicating Brown was
given by Alexander Latham Sr. who
told the grand jury of the arrange
ment under which his son left the
state.
The attempt to bribe Lawlor has
been going on for almost a year and
valuable corroborative evidence has
been amassed. The case was not pre-
sented to the grand jury yesterday,
but will be considered in a few days
In the meantime subpenas will be
served on important witnesses.
Browns first proposition to LawIor
was that he take a position with the
United Railroads detective bureau at
a salary of s35 a week Brown is the
head of the bureau and has employed
such men as he needed
LAwLoR ASKED FOR SECRETS
Brown then proposed to Lawlor that
he should remain on the payroll of
the prosecution and report its secrets
to the United Railroads Lawlor made
full report to Burns and arrange
ments were made to lead Brown into
trap.
Lawlor called upon Brown one day
at the latter's room in the St Francis
hotel by appointment. During their
interview a $50 gold piece was left on
the washstand for Burns detective.
The money was taken and sealed as
evidence and full report of the Incl
dent made to Burns.
On several occasions Brown sum
moned Lawlor to his home in san
Leandro and there offered him sums
of money for important documents
known to be in the possession of the
prosecution. Lawlor Informed Burns
of all these offers and a complete trap
was prepared.
Burns made out certain fake" re-
ports which Lawlor took to Brown and
for which he received substantial sums
In all Lawlor received $3.50 in this
manner. The money was in currency,
which Lawlor marked for purposes of
Identification and then turned over to
District Attorney Langdon.
TRAP WAS NOT SUSPECTED
Finally Brown began to clamor for
more important information and even
tually told Lawlor that he could deal
no further with him, as he had failed
TO produce the desired documents
Brown at no time suspected that he
had fallen into trap and made the
day. when he was taken before the
grand jury.
The facts have in part been placed
before the grand jury. No indictment
will be returned until next Monday aft
ernoon, when other witnesses will ap-
pear to corroborate Lawlors state
ments.
1t is also possible that at that time
Brown may be called upon to answer to
another indictment in connection with
the disappearance from the state of
Alex Latham. The witnesses We're called
before the grand jury yesterday in this
connection. They were Alexander La
than Sr., father of the chauffeur and
Edward and William Latham, brothers
of the chauffeur.
LATHAM EMPLOYED ON TOUR
Latham Sr. admitted that his son had
been employed as driver for the
father in law of Luther Brown al a
generous salary during tour of the
eastern states a a time when the young
man was wanted as a witness in the
Ford case.
Lathans two brothers professed ig-
norance of the entire matter and were
asked but a few questions.
George Francis, assistant to Tirey
Ford, chief of counsel for the United
Railroads. was summoned to the grand
jury room, but was not called upon to
testify.
TWO ALLEGED OPTICIANS
NOT. nETEnDED DIV r-INIE