The San Francisco call., 1908-03-15

sentec 10 the grand jury at once, but
unfortunately Arthur NJ CuFrie died
within a few Gays after furnishing his
statement and other matters urgent
were consuming the time of the dis
.rict attorney and his assistant Heney.
DINGEE CONTROLLED MAYOR
Ruef also stated in this connection
that people gave him credit with being
able TO control the mayor. but as a
matter of fact for the last several
years the mayor was under the COM
plete domination OF ". J. Dingee, and
that Dingee had made Schmitz very
valuable presents. among them a very
fine horse, rug costing s2.5e0. marble
statues. large clock. q set of deco
rated china costing s1.50O; he also
stated that he thought Dingee pre-
seuted the mayor with stock of the
Ocean Shore railroad.
in return for these favors the mayor
had the supervisors pass an ordinance
requiring roofs TO be of fireproof ma
teriaL as Dingee was in the slate
business lie also had them pass an
ordinance favoring Dingee's cement
Ruef further stated that in connec-
tiCl with the Ocean Shore railroad
The mayor lad demanded that the
supervisors pass the franchise on the
ground thar he was a friend OF Downey
Harvey. that Ruef and the supervisors
Ncy was friend OF James D. Phelan.
Ruel also stated that Dingee's ce-
nent works were located at Santa
cruz and that the Ocean Shore rail-
road would build q special track to the
cement works. Ruef further stated
that the franchise OF the Ocean Shore
railroad was Illegal on the ground
that lt had been granted for so years
without any percentages as required
bE the charter. and that in order TO
secure terminal facilities they claimed
they hao So miles in operation. when
as a matter Of fact they had but one
mile OF the road in operation
Ruef further stated that Mcdonald
and Chambers of the Santa Fe were
going 10 put up warehouses on Main
street II being the intention of the
santa Ee 10 run spur tracks
20 these warehouses. and that they We're
going 70 give Schmitz one-fifth interest
without putting up anything. but that
Ruef himself in order TO get a one
NTH interest had TO put Up $4,000. The
lot that was 10 be leased belonged to
James Denman, ex-superintendent OF
s.-hOOls.
INTEREST N BR0TREL
b Ruef further stated that Schmitz had
an interest IN the Deneen building COM
pzny and in the Driscoll and Frank
company with Hilbert and was in the
cement company with Dingee; that he
had an interest in an airship with De
neen. Hilbert. TOlliver and Mrs. Hearst:
that he had also an interest in lime
rsarries. and that Dingee was handling
.Schuitz loose money for investment,
.end that the tickets for Schmitz's trip
10 Europe were given 10 him by Cham
-Lers Of the santa Fe railroad.
D--aT also crarrT that SChrusfz had q
. safe deposit box either at the West
ern national bank. the Union trust
; company. Crocker- W Woolworth. or the
California safe deposit and trust COM
pany-
;. Ruef further stated that one day be-
fore the mayor left for Europe. he said
to- Ruef Hilbert is interested with
Bassity in the place on Commercial
street This had reference TO the
crib house Of prostitution that was
built by Bassity and Hilbert Git being
understood that Hkbert represented
Eugene Z. Schmitz' interest in IT'D
Ruef stated that Schmitz also said To
him in this connection. If anything
happens while I am away help them
out" IMeaning Hilbert and Bassity)
And that later Ruef met Bassity and
lie lBassity) said. Il suppose you heard
something about who is interested in
THAI place down there2 And that ne
lRuef) replitd, Yes. I heard something
of it~
Ruef further stated that orders were
Issued by the police commissioners not
10 allow any saloons on East street
and that he. Ruef. tried TO get one but
could not. but that sam Leake was sell
ing those licenses on East street and
that they We're being put through foi
linn by Doc LeahF, who was then po-
lice commissioner.
VITA reference TO the Leal1e matter
7 t8id Ruef that ] had 10 doubt this
was all true, As ] knew Leake TO be
p corrupt scoundrel as he had gone all
the way to New York city in the win
ter OF 1893 and attempted TO bribe me
by oEering ne $4,000 10 have case
against JOAN Benson dismissed, which
was then before the United States COM
missioner in New York, and that I i'm
nlediately notified Chief Wilkie of the
United states secret service and helped
arrange a trap 10 put the scoundrel il
iail. buL unfortunately, il must have
been tipped of by the assistant United
states attorney 10 Frank Plat. who
was associated with Joe Campbell OF
Campbell. Metson & Drew. in this cass
as their New York representative, and
Campbell notified Leake-
The records Of this case are now OF
fle At the secret service Office at Wash
ington. d. c. and viii show this at
tempted bribery
aUAsHED By EXAMINER
] also informed Ruef that when
returned 10 san Francisco a reporte
of the Examiner called on me ans
asked me what sam Leake was doins
in New York in connection with tn
Benson case. and informed him tina
Iseal1e had gone there for the pur
pose OF bribing me. and relate,
the story 5ust as I have here. an,
that the reporter made voluminou
notes. but the publication Of it neve
appeared
This is the same Sam Leake wh'
constantly appeared in this department
N this court during the two trials o
Tirey l. Ford and who was during
that time constantly visiting DR.. Coffey
the surgeon OF the United Railroads
and who has been industriously seek
ing Information on jurors for th
United Railroads.
Ruef further stated that Sam Leak
got q dumping privilege for nothing
in the name or Martin from the boar'
of public works
In describing the slot machine graft
Ruef placed the blame upon Schmitz
10 .--.+rz +I,af I-r15 TTfEf,avf eolIad ~