Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-27
BOODLERS2 NOT THEY!
Trick Played on Graft Find
ers by Pittsburg CounciImen.
SAW HOW FAR THEY'D GO!
That Is to Be Defense of Men Ac-
cused by Voters League.
INVESTIGATORS NOT BLUFFED
Promise Seventeen to Forty More
Arrests, But Can't Just Say
When It Will Happen.
SAW HOW FAR THEY'D CO.!
INVESTIGATORS NOT BLUFFED

PITTSBURG. December 26.-COntrary to
expectations, there were no additional ar
rests today in che councilmanic bribery
cases which have furnished Pittsburg
with a number of sensational develop
ments since the arrest Monday night IF
seven councilmen and two former bank
ers on charges OF corrupt practices
However, an authoritative statement
that other persons will be arrested was
made by Attorney A. Leo We'll. presl-
dent of the Voters League.
These additional arrests-the number is
estimated at from seventeen to forty
are not expected to be made now until
Monday. and probably not until the first
of the year.
According to the officers of the Voters
League. they have plenty Of evidence
against many other persons who, 1t is
stated, will surely be taken into custody.
But when this will be the investigators
are reluctant to say.
District Attorney Blakely is out of
town. and is not expected back until
Monday or Tuesday. 1t is not believed
that further steps will be taken until he
returns.
May Sit in Councils.
The first meeting of the councils since
the disclosures were made is scheduled
for Monday night. None of the seven ac-
cused councilmen have expressed them
selves as to whether or not they intend
to be present in their official capacities.
Attorney Clarence Burlegll, counsel for
Joseph C. WATSON. Jacob Soffel and T. o.
Atkinson, stated tonight that he would
advise his clients to continue their coun-
cilmanic duties II this advice is acted
upon the passage of appropriation bills
will be expedited. WATSON is chairman
of the finance committee.
At the meeting it is expected new or
dinance increasing the number of ma
tional bank repositories from six to
twelve and providing an interest rate of
not less than 21a per cent will be intro
duced. At present there are only six
repositories who pay per cent. notwith-
standing that other banks offer to pay 2l2
per cent
In statement issued today #. d. Han
mon a member of the executive commit
tee of the Voters League. said:
"Pittsburg's councilmanic corrupters.
the real root OF the bribery evil here, will
suffer equally with those who fell before
their temptations.
1.-THE Voters League is not in this thing
for any political reason. There is not a
member Of the executive body who would
accept a public office If 1t were given him.
I'VE intend to clean up the CITY, and
will follow. The men who are attempting
to brighten us by threats of counter
suits soon will learn whether or not We
are in earnest
Trick Played on Accusers.
Many rumors were in circulation and
a few interesting developments occurred
today. Among the rumors was one to
the effect that a number of national
banks were undergoing a thorough eX-
animation in connection with the report
that certain financial institutions had paid
SIZE. OGO for the privilege of handling the
citys funds. Government officials refused
to either confirm or deny the story
1t was also claimed that the accused
councilmen knew they were being In
vestigated and were simply playing a
game of politics for the purpose of see
ing how far the detectives would deal
with them. This, it Is said will be their
defense when the cases are tried in court.
William Brand. president of common
councils, one of the accused, held long
conversation with one of the officials of
the public safety department. No in
formation regarding the nature of this
meeting was given to the public.
1t was learned today that the flash
light picture taken of a councilman in
the alleged act of accepting bribe from
Robert Wilson Of the Scranton Municipal
League. turned out to be no good, but
that second picture was taken show
Ing the councilman making hasty re-
treat down a corridor of local hotel.