The San Francisco call., 1908-10-11
RAILWAYMfN
ARE NAMED AS
CONSP|RATORS
Surprise Sprung in Trial of
Frank Regan, Charged
With Extortion
Attorneys Assert Erwin Powers,
Claims Agent, and Assistant
Guilty of Bribery
Complications Start With Suit
Established by Mrs. Cooper
for Death of Husband

SAN RAFAEL, Oct. 10.-A surprise
tice of the peace this morning when
District Attorney Boyd for the prose-
cution and Attorney James Keys for
the defense of Frank Regan, charged
with attempting TO extort bribe from
the Northwestern Pacific railroad, both
asserted in open court that Edwin
Powers, claims agent for the railroad
company, and his assistant, Paul Hell
more, were conspirators and were
guilty of bribery.
Two weeks ago Mrs. Edward Cooper
brought suit against the railroad COM
pany for the death of her husband, who
was crushed to death between two
freightcars at Sausalito while he was
attempting to couple them.
Regan was her witness and professed
titute and had three small children.
Although the man said he would assist
her he wrote to Powers, demanding q
life position as senior brakeman and
present OF $500 cash in exchange
for his testimony, which he promised
would favor the company. The propo-
sition was not accepted and Regan
thereupon testified at the trial against
the company Railroad Attorney AL
bert Raymond made Regan's letter a
part of the evidence to impeach the
witness. Attorney Boyd then ordered
the man into custody.
Today the man was given his hearing
before Justice of the Peace Magee and
on the evidence was ordered to be held
to stand trial before the superior court.
1t was during the hearing that Hell
brother in law, C. w. Sprinstein, had
lent Regan $50 for which Regan gave
Springstein his note
Keys and Bond made the witness
confess that Regan had first came to
Powers and requested the "loan,' but
that Powers said he had no money and
suggested to Helmore that he either
lend Regan the sum or that he find
friend who would do so Helmore
further said that he then went to his
brother In law and gave him the
money to give to Regan because "he
did not want it to appear that Regan
was receiving bribe money as, Regan
was to be a witness in the damage
case OF Cooper's widow When he
gave Springstein the money Helmore
testified that he was accompanied by
Regan. He handed Springstein the
money and Springstein then turned 1t
over to Regan in exchange for his un-
secured note.
After Helmore had finished his tes-
timony Springstein was called in. He
was accompanied by the railroad at
torney, Albert Raymond, who said he
was present to protect the witness. At
torney Keys thought differently and
requested that Raymond be asked to
leave the courtroom. Springstein testi-
ned that Regan was a total stranger to
him and that he never lent money and
that this time was was the first time
he had ever done so. II did 1t because
thought it might possibly keep him
tHelmore) out of trouble he explained
10 the court.
After Springsteins testimony the dis
trict attorney announced that he would |
send transcript of the letter. and that
ne would bring the matter before Dis
trict Attorney Langdon OF San Fran !
cisco and before the grand jury for
investigation. as the alleged bribing of
Regan by Helmore and Powers oc- |
Cured in San Francisco.