The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-29
PITTSBURG CASES
TO Be HURRIED UP
Prosecution Promises As Early
Trial As Possible
ROOSEVELT is INTERESTED
Two Branches of Council Hold Meet
inqs, But Nothing Sensational De-
velops-Members Refuse To
Serve Till indicated.

Pittsburg, December 2s.-Attorneys for
the prosecution in the alleged corrupt
practices of Pittsburg councilmen, as we'll
as attorneys for the seven councilmen,
and two former bankers already under
arrest, insist that the trials win be
machinery of the courts will permit Will
liam A. Blakely, who was appointed dis
trict attorney within the past two weeks
to fill vacancy caused by death, today
stated that he would do all within his
power to have the cases disposed of be-
fore the municipal election in February,
at which all the councilmen arrested, and
a number of others said to be under
surveillance. are candidates for election
to councils in new districts following the
redstricting of the greater city, growing
out of the consolidation of old Pittsburg,
Allegheny and several boroughs.
In connection with the alleged bribing
of councilmen by officers of national
banks to secure deposits of city funds,
1t is said the plan followed by some of
the banks was to have their New York
correspondents forward the amount of
the corruption fund to another Pittsburg
bank to the credit of the councilman ne
gotiating the bribery DEAL he to make
distribution to the other councilmen.
Roosevelt Interested.
President Roosevelt, it is now generally
believed, has been instrumental in press
ing the Investigations since the first sug-
ers reached the department of Justice.
Mayor George w. Guthrie went to Phil
adelphia today and will not return until
Wednesday. The mayor, while in Phil
adelphia, may inquire into the applica-
ton for a street railway franchise which
figured in the charges against councilmen.
the attorney and some of the stockhold-
ers of the company being Philadelphians.
There is comment on the fact that
while the charges against councilmen in
volve at least half a dozen ordinances,
practically no evidence or details have
been given out except those concerning
the establishment of repositories for tile
city's funds.
Council Holds Meeting.
in the city councils scandal at to-
nights session of two branches of coun-
Gil. There was not even a reference to
the subject in select council the only
member of which involved in the charges
is 7. o. Atkinson.
In common council President William
Brand made an address in which he de-
MED guilt of each and all of the charges
made against him, but asked to be ex-
cused from serving as presiding officer of
the lower branch of council until after
the courts had disposed of the charges.
Finally Mr.. Samuel McElroy consented
to occupy the chair for the one session,
and business proceeded.
Councilman Melaney, another of the ac-
cused members, sent letter in which he
refused to take part in the proceedings
of the body, or to do committee work
until he had been vindicated. His letter
was received and filed.
Jacob Soffel, chairman of the public
works committee, declared his innocence
of all charges in an impassloned speech,
in which he defied his accusers. He de-
clared he would have no further voice
in the deliberations of council until he
had been tried and vindicated in court.
Refuses To Vote.
Hugh Ferguson, another accused MEM
ber said nothing of the charges against
him but refused to vote on any PROPOSE
ton presented at the session.
Joseph c. Wasson,. chairman of the
finance committee, and John P. Kline,
the two other accused members, made
no reference to the graft charges, and
participated in the business of the ses-
sion.
Common council passed over the veto
of the mayor an ordinance providing for
$1,O0OOO0 bond issue for bridge con-
Meeting Pittsburg and Allegheny.
There is an .unconfirmed report tonight
to the effect that Barney Dreyfus. presi-
dent of the Pittsburg baseball club, is
to be an important witness in the graft
cases.
The baseball park is located in what
was Allegheny prior to the consolidation
OF the cities last spring and besides an
nual tickets for all members of the AL
legheny council, only a nominal license
was demanded from the baseball man
agement. When the cities were con-
solidated the number of councilmen was
so large that the issuance of annual
passes to all was considered too heavy
burden and none were given. Thereupon
a practically prohibitory license ordinance
was introduced in the councils of the COM
bned cities, but 1t has never been finally
acted upOn