The San Francisco call., 1908-05-16
WILSON SAYS RUFF
TRIED TO"FIX" HIM
Ex-SupervisOr Asked by Arch
CRATER to Bury Memory
During Ford Trial

That Abe Ruef tried to FIX" boodling
ex-Supervisor Andrew Wilson during
the first Ford trial by urging that he
bury what he remembered OF Ruefs
talks with him on money matters was
brought out yesterday during Wilson's
second day of cross examination in the
Ruef trial This damaging information
was elected by Ruefs lawyer, Henry
Ach, TO whom it seemed a great sur
prise.
When did you last meet Ruef?" Ach
asked Wilson.
IN the hall of the temple during the
first Ford trial."
What did Ruef say to you?"
Asked me if ] was going to be a
witness in the United Railroads cases.
He said he was TO be a witness, too,
and that being a professional man, 1t
was going TO be very hard for him to
go on the stand and make a full dis
closure. lie asked me 70 try and r9ake
il as easy for him as / could. and as 1
felt q great deal of sympathy for him
I tried TO pave the way when ] did go
on the stand
He asked me what I was going TO
say about money transactions and dis
cussions with him. I answered Well,
in those things you know you always
said what was doing
I wish you would bury that Ruef
Bold me-"
TESTIMONY NOT SHAKEN
During the whole second day Wilson
was on the stand Ach continued his
broadsides and batteries of questions.
de gave the bOodling ex-supervisor no
rest, firing dates and places at the wit
ness until he was almost exhausted,
but in no essential particular was Will
sons testimony shaken. On the con-
trary. the manner in which he endured
Ach's terrible grilling counted serious
ly against Ruef
Another unlucky question Of Ach's
brought out that Wilson was being
followed to and froJ9 the courtroom
by a band of United Railroads alleged
detectives.
Did you talk to any member of the
prosecution last nightF he hurled at
yes. sir; I taIke6 to Detective
Burns"
~Ahr" said Ach. scenting something.
And what did Detective Burns say TO
you2"
TWO THUGS FOLLOWING
He told me there were two thugs
following me up Van Ness avenue and
to lead them down TO the Bush street
police station and have them ar
rested"
That was enough. Ach asked no
more questions on this line.
During the day Wilson presented his
bank books in evidence al Ach's re-
quest. mentioning another account
which he had promised TO produce,
which was kept in his wife's name
At one time Attorney Ach seemed to
be very puzzled and in doubt as TO the
meaning Of the term higher ups. He
was examining Wilson as 10 his grand
jury testimony and came upon the
word
Higher ups'?" he asked. What
ever do you mean by higher ups'?"
Il meant the men who were paying
Ruef." responded Wilson.
Wilson was called back to attend
the morning session Attorney Ach
also requested that the court order G.
H Umbsen 10 be present to testify
again.
During the session Of the Ruef trial,
and particularly when James l. Gal
lagher would be in the vicinity Of the
courtroom. a pack or United Railroads
men would infest the corner Of Nc
Amister and Hyde streets. where the
court sits They are devoting their
talents largely TO trailing Gallagher,
Just as he was trailed prior to the
dvnamiting Of his residence in East
Oakland.
A husky detachment Of eight men
last evening put themselves on the
path Of William J. Burns, the special
agent Of the graft prosecution. The
eight followed Burns and his family
to the theater and back, watching
every movement Of the special agent.