New-York tribune., 1908-05-24
ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE
Effect of Disagreement an Ruef
Bribery Case.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

San Francisco. May Zs-The disagreement OF the
fury in the Ruef case is bad for the reputation
of San Francisco. the notorious boodling boss
should have been convicted without the jury leav-
ing their seats. But the fact that six men held
out against conviction does not mean that they
were brbed the prosecution asserts. but simply
that they were disgusted with the methods OF
Heney and the other graft prosecutors Heney's
grant OF immunity the supervisors and also to
Ruef, provided he would give certain testimony
which the prosecution required. has had great In
fuence the public and 1t Is doubtful whether
Ruef or Schmitz be convicted so thor
oughIy has the prosecution been discredted-
Heney attributes all this feeling to bribery and
intimidation by President Calhoun and other rich
men who were Indicted. but the truth is that his
own course as prosecutor has defeated him.
The new city budget adopted by the finance COM
mittee fixes the rate 81 As on the hundred
dollars which with the rate of Al cents Will
make the total tax rate 81 90 This high rate IS
caused by increased appropriations for salaries
and maintenance in all departments. without count
ig the large sums required for improvements Four
cents was allowed for frehouses. 20 cents for
rehabilitating and 10 cents for the
old bond issue and Z cents for the new bond issue
feature of San Francsco's reception to the
feet most commended the sailors clubhouse.
only two blocks the waterfront This was a
new three story building which was leased for
month and filled up with all the appliances OF
clubhouse There were four hundred beds which
were occupied every night; billiard tables, gym
nasum baths card rooms. restaurant and wait
ing room. The place was crowded during the
neet.s stay and Walter Macarthur. head OF the
Seamen's Union and secretary of the naval branch
Of the Young Mems Christian Association, who
managed 1t. received letter of thanks from Ad-
miraI Sperry warmly conmendatory for giving
much pleasure the enlisted men. The admiral
expressed the hope that San Francisco would soon
have permanent naval Young Mems Christian
Association like New York and Norfolk.
The Bankers Investment Company. which OWNS
the old Blytn block extending along Market street
from Grant avenue nearly to Kearney street. has
decided to begin work soon two iarge buildings
to cost $4,000. The Union Trust Company will
erect a third building at Grant avenue and Market
street. These buildings will take the place OF the
one story shacks which have been an eyesore on
Market street ever since the Are.
The Palace Hotel will open month
lier than was expected. and will be ready for
guests November /, 1903. The hotel will be eight
stories high and the palm garden will be exact
The hotel will have CO.. rooms and the furnishings
will cost 81, ,a0o0C0.
the city has grown rapidly since the beginning of
the year. Since the strike OF May. last year.
receipts fell off, and last month the returns for the
first time since the strike the half million
dollar mark. The receipts for the first eleven days
May. part OF which feet week. broke all
records.
One OF the surprises OF the week TO railroad men
was tho resignation OF George Gardiner, for ten