davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
CITY HALL NOTES

Forty-six petitions for reductions OF
assessment were acted on by the board
of equalization yesterday. A number OF
them were granted without protest
from the city assessor and several were
denied by the board.
The council yesterday refused to
grant City Attorney Hewitt a fund of
5000 for secret service work MIR.
Hewitt told the council it frequently
was necessary for his department to
gather evidence without letting oppos-
ing litigants know what was being
done. Only Dromgold and Wallace
voted in favor of the fund.
Councilman Pease read a severe lee
ture to members of the council who do
not appear in the council chamber at
the time set for meetings. A large
number of persons were summoned
before the board of equalization at IL
o'clock yesterday morning and mem
bers of the board did not appear until
an hour later.
A petition from the janitors for one
additional man for forty-five days while
the ianitors take their annual Vaca-
lions was denied by the council. The
janitors will be permitted the usual two
weeks allowed city employees, but nc
additions will be made to the force for
the purpose
M. X Young of the civil service COM
mission presented a petition from that
department asking an increase in salary
from SIPS monthly to $166.66 for M. H
Dee, chief examiner of the board. Mr.
Young declared it would be impossible
to retain the services of this examiner
or any other competent man at the
salary paid. The petition was referred
to the budget committee.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22

AGED PROTESTANT GIVES
E0UALIZERS AMUSEMENT
objects to Assessment of $3.50 on Four
Lots, but Admits He Would
Not Sell One for
That Sum

One little bit of human nature re-
lieved the dull monotony Of the session
Of tho city board of equalization yes
terday morning.
Pamela Williams, an old man who
lives at $40 Vernon avenue, with his
wife appeared before the board to pro.
test against an assessment of $3.50 on
four lots in the Rose tract. Neither
Mr.. Williams nor his wife had the ap-
pearance of appearing frequently be-
fore such bodies as the board of equal
ization, and both were a little con-
fused. But only for a minute. Then
both insisted on talking at once and the
clamor they made effectually drowned
the efforts of City Assessor MaIlard to
be heard.
When Mallard could get in word he
said:
What would you sell that property
for, Mr.. Williams?"
wal, now I amt a sellin' none," an
swered Mr.. Williams.
Would you sell just one of those
four lots for what all of them are as
sessed for?" asked Mr. Mallard.
mo, Of course I wouldn't-I mean
I'm not selling none of that property. ~
was the confused response of Mr.. Will
liams.
His decision resulted in the board
denying his application.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
MAYOR ASKS PARDON
FOR FREE SPEAKERS
SIGNS TELEGRAM ADDRESSED
TO GOVERNOR
GiIIett Requested to Release Three
Men Serving Terms on Chain
Gang for Speaking With
out Permits

In order to release the three So
cialists who are serving terms on the
chain gang for having exercised their
rights to speak on the streets, W. V.
Holloway and Cloudesley Johns, acting
as a committee, appeared before Niles
Pease, mayor pro tenn, yesterday and
induced him to sign a lengthy tele-
gram to Governor Gillett, requesting
the pardon of the three men.
When Messrs. Holloway and Johns
presented the telegram to Mayor
Pease he was little reluctant to
sign it, as he declared he did not
know for what offense the three men
were serving sentences. He readily
agreed however, if it was nothing
more serious than speaking on the
streets they should be released.
After consultation with Prosecutor
Woolwine over the telephone Mayor
Pease signed the telegram and 1t was
Immediately sent to Governor Gillett.
1t is confidently expected a pardon
will be received by Thursday.
1t is probable an ordinance viii be
introduced into the council Monday
to take the place OF the present Or
dinance regulating the obstruction of
traffic. which will define a district
bounded by Temple. Main, Ninth and
Olive streets, in which no street meet
ings of any kind can be held. Councils
men discussed this matter yesterday.
and while practically all were Of the
opinion the district described was cor
rect, they are in no hurry to pass such
an ordinance and will take their time
considering 1t.
ever II ts evident from the attitude
of the councilmen no clause will be
included giving the police commission
or any other body power to grant per-
mits to violate Its provisions
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
SAYS STEPMOTHER
GOT HIS HERITAGE
LAD SUES TO BREAK FATHERS
WILL
Seventeen-Year.old Walter Geldrelcht
Alleges Parents Matrimonial
Alliance Cost Him
$4,000

Walter L. Geldreicht. aged II, by his
guardian is contesting the will of his
father, Jacob e. Geldriecht. who died
April 9. 1908. leaving to his widow OF
five weeks his entire estate, valued al
$4,000.
The case was brought to trial before
Judge Rives in the superior court yes
terday.
The widow, Mrs. Grace Yelpin Alex
ander Johnson Davies Geldreicht, is re-
sisting the contest: The woman mar
r1ed Geldreicht when the latter was
practically on his death bed. She had
been acquainted with him for two years
and nursed or attended to him when
he was confined to his bed in an ad-
Vanced stage of tuberculosis. The mar
riage ceremony was performed March
4, and the man died April g.
The son alleges the widow exercised
undue influence over his father and
caused him to will all his property to
her. He declares his father thought a
great deal of him until the marriage
and then the woman poisoned her hus-
bands mind against the lad.
F. j. Leary testified in behalf of the
SON. He declared that the deceased
before starting on hunting trip some
time prior to his death told the witness
to look after Walter; that he loved
his son and had every confidence In
him; that if anything happened to him
Walter would take care of the business
as he was prefectly familiar with the
fathers business aairs. The witness
also stated that the deceased remarked
that when he died he intended to leave
his entire estate to the boy.
1t is understood that her marriage
with Geldreicht was Mrs. Davies
fourth matrimonial venture.
All the witnesses had not testified
when court adjourned yesterday after
noon.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
PACIFIC ELECTRIC TAKES )
INTERURBAN CAR LINES
Former "Green" Cars VIII Be Painted
Red and Be Conducted by
the Same Board of
Directors

Another step toward universal trans
fers in the city has been quietly taken
by the Pacific Electric, although the
railway has not heralded abroad that
universal transfers are to be granted.
Effective July l, the Los Angeles In
terurban properties were leased by the
Pacific Electric, and will hereafter be
operated by the latter. This statement
was made in a communication adj
dressed to the city clerk by j. McMil-
Ian, general manager of the Pacific
Electric lines.
The Interurban lines have been prac-
tically owned by the Huntington inter-
ests for several years, but have been
controlled by different board of di-
rectors. The fact that a different board
of directors has controlled the Inter-
urban lines has been given as the ex-
cuse for refusing transfers between the
green cars and the red cars. The green
cars are being taken into the shops as
RAPIDLY as possible and painted red
G and their headboard signs are being
changed to conform with numerous eX-
tensions of the lines, although the
routes traversed are the same as here
tofore.
The new lines taken over by the Pa
cific Electric include the West Temple,
East First street, University, West Ad-
ans and other green cars.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
ACCUSES MAYR
OF TAMPERING
ATTORNEY IN DIVORCE CASE
ALLEGES FRAUD
VIOLENT QuARRELs TOLD OF IN
AFFIDAVIT
Couple Declared to Have Hurled Fur
nlture and China at Each other
During Progress of
Melee

For several moments it looked as if
there might be startling developments
in the Mayr divorce suit in Judge
court yesterday afternoon, when Attor-
cused the defendant, Walter A. Mayr,
with tampering with an exhibit while
1t was in his possession.
The climax came when Attorney
Rogers was reading a deposition of a
Chicago groceryman, whom it is all
legged Mayr had notified not to allow
Mrs. Mayr credit on an occasion fol-
lowing an alleged quarrel between the
couple. When he had reached the por-
ton of the deposition referring to a
certain bill issued by the grocer, on
which was written a statement to the
effect that Mrs Mayr would not be al
lowed further credit, and which at the
taking of the deposition was marked
for the purpose of Identification De
PENDANTS Exhibit L." Attorney Rogers
asked that the paper, which was in
Mayr's possession, be handed him, as
he desired to introduce it in evidence.
Mayr drew a large envelope from his
pocket and selected from among a
number of documents the paper asked
for. He handed it to Rogers, who scru-
tinized it carefully, and turning to
Mayr demanded: Where is the en-
velope that was attached to this?"
There was none," was the reply.
Mark of Envelope
On the back of the bill in question
was the mark of where the flap of an
envelope apparently had been pasted
and which had been torn off.
do you mean to tell me that there
was no envelope attached to this?"
Rogers demanded
mot that know Of" he replied.
81 will find out about this" said
Rogers. I'VE will have Mr.. Mayr take
the stand"
After Mr.. Mayr had been sworn Rog-
ers said:
you are the defendant in this ac-
ton, are you not?
II am" was the answer.
Where is the other part of the ex-
hibit which you just then handed to
me?"
II do not know of any other part"
what did you do with the envelope
which l saw you tear off of the paper?'
you did not see me tear any en-
velope off of the paper; it was your
imagination"
when did you tear it OFF,"
IT did not tear anything off" Then
in a lower tone Mayr added: You are
just bluffing, that's ALL"
Cross-Examined
Mayr was cross-examined by Attor-
ney e. J. Fleming of the firm of Hun
saker, Britt & Fleming, who are coun-
sci for Mayr.
ibid you ever tear anything from
that exhibit" said Mr.. Fleming.
mo, sir"
us it in the same condition now as
when it was introduced at the time of
the taking of the deposition in which it
Is referred to?"
ut is"
That's ALL" said Fleming.
When Mayr took the stand the spec
tators in the court room leaned for
ward in their seats, expecting his tes-
timony would bring out details that
would be sensational in nature. They
were disappointed, however, and sank
back into their seats. Nothing but the
usual recital of disagreements, quar-
rels and temper followed in the deposit
lions of persons acquainted with the
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
WOMAN ASKS COURT TO
SET ASIDE DIVORCE DECREE

On the ground that she and her hus-
band agreed that their divorce should
not be contested Mrs Frances E. Trum-
bower, who was divorced from her hus-
band, w. p. Trumbower, a year and a
half ago, sought to have the decree of
divorce set aside in an action brought
In Judge Conreys department of the
superior court yesterday.
She alleges In her complaint that the
divorce proceedings were instituted as
the result of a contract of settlement in
which her husband decided her certain
property
After hearing the testimony IN the
case Judge Conrey denied her applica-
ton,
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
DISCOVERS WAY TO
ASSESS FRANCHISES
EDISON ELECTRIC COMPANY is
FIRST TO AGREE
Dismlsses Suit Against City to Collect
Taxes Paid Under Protest When
Escaped Assessment Is
Cancelled

City Assessor Mallard has found a
way to make the corporations come to
time on the assessment on their fran
chises. This was shown at the meet
ing of the city board of equalization
yesterday morning and the Edison
Electric company was the first corpor-
alton to acknowledge defeat
Mr.. Mallard'S method this year is to
assess the public utilities corporations
on their franchises granted under the
state constitution instead of city fran
chises.
Last year the Edison Electric COM
pany was assessed on it's franchise
granted by the city for the use of the
city streets. The Edison Electric COM
pany paid the taxes on this assess
ment under protest and brought suit
to recover the money. The suit was
still pending in the superior court
when it was dismissed yesterday on
stipulation between the city and the
attorneys for the electric company.
This dismissal was not agreed to,
| however, until H. H. Trowbridge, rep
resenting the Edison Electric COM
pany asked the board of equalization
to cancel the assessment for 1907 on
it's state franchise
Mallard assessed this corporation
$22, 900 on it's state franchise this year
and the same amount for an escaped
assessment last year. 1t was this es-
capped assessment the Edison Electric
asked to be dismissed and for which
it agreed to cancel the suit against
the city and let the amount paid for
taxes under protest remain in the city
treasury.
The assessor has pursued the same
policy with other public utility cor
H. mi xNYla fDa he
Edison company capitulated is taken
as an indication that other similar
corporations will make no protest to
the general principle of franchise as
| sessment as they have in the past,
although several have given notice
they will object to the amounts as
sessed.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
WOULD GET ACQUAINTED
WITH ARGENTINE ANTS

Entomologist C. w. Woodwork OF
the University of California, Berkeley,
has asked that specimens be submitted
to him for identification where ants
are unusually troublesome.
The reason for this is that the Argen-
tine ant has gained a foothold in four
localities in California.
This ant is much more persistent and
annoying than any OF the native
species. besides being menace to hor-
ticulturists.
Wherever they occur lines of these
ants can be seen going up and down
the trunks of nearly every tree in the
vicinity.
The experiment station has in prepara-
ton a circular which will be sent free
to residents. of California.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
JUDGE JAMESON SENDS
NEGRO TO PENITENTIARY

Philip Adams, a negro, has the dis
tinction of being the first man to be
sentenced to the penitentiary by Judge
William H. Jamison.
Adams, while out on probation, was
caught while trying to commit burg
larry at Monrovia a short time ago. He
pleaded guilty to the charge and APP
peared before Judge Jamison for SEN
tence yesterday.
He was sentenced to four years at
San Quentin.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
. To Mortgage Church Property

The board of trustees of the Taber-
nacle Baptist church of Los Angeles
filed a petition in the superior court
yesterday asking that they be allowed
to mortgage several pieces of property
belonging to the church for the pur-
pose of raising $1,000 to build larger
church, because of the structure now In
use being too small to accommodate
all members of the CONGREGATION.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
Sue to Recover Taxes

Three suits for the recovery of
franchise taxes paid under protest,
were filed in the superior court yes
terday. Two suits are against the
county and one against the city. The
Edison Electric company seeks to re-
cover $4S,20414 from the county, while
the Home Telephone and Telegraph
company asks $22.11S.6S from the
county and $24,435.37 from the city.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
CoUNTEREEITERS INDICTED
BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY

DENVER, July 21.-Silas C. Stevens,
a curio dealer of Chicago, and Charles
Hulser of San Francisco, an agent of
Stevens, were indicted by the federal
grand Jury today on the charge of
counterfeiting. They are accused of
having caused worthless Confederate
notes TO be passed as genuine money.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
DISAPPEARS WITH TRAY
OF VALUABLE GEMS

PITTSBURG, July 21-The police
have instituted search for James
Rnsh who is alleged to have left here
with diamonds valued at $1,000. FASH
ionably attired and registered at a
nrominent hotel, Rush ordered tray
Of gems sent to the hotel from which
TO make a selection. With the dia-
monds Rush disappeared before the
ieveler's eyes.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
orIow's Case Continued

The case of DR.. Orlof N. Orlow, who
is charged by Thomas Kaljian with
having embezzled $2500 worth of ORR
entail rugs, which had been set for
merfield yesterday, was again contin-
ued to July 2S. It is understood that
negotiations for the settlement of the
amount involved are being conducted.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
Divorce Suits Filed

The following divorce suits were
filed in the superior court yesterday:
Joseph Hendrickson VS.. Margritte Hen
erickson, Ruth T. Engstrum VS.. Paul
Engstrum, H. @. Lederer VS.. Nora
Lederer Amy A. Smith VS.. Arthur G..
Smith, Mary Amman VS.. w. H. Amman,
Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-22
CITY HAS MONEY
TOPAY EMPLOYEES
ALL COLLECTIONS GO INTO
RESERVE FUND
YEARLY WARRANT SHAVING is
NOT NECESSARY
Financial State Better Than for Many
Years - Overdrafts Are Small
and More Than Covered
by Surplus

For the first time in as many years
as any of the officials at the city hail
can remember the city will have enough
money to pay the employees between
the end of the fiscal year, which was
July 1 and October 1, when the taxes
for the current year will be available.
This announcement, made yesterday
morning by Auditor Mushet, was re-
ceived with great joy by the city en-
ployes, who feared they would either
have to shave their warrants with
some loan shark" as has been the
case for so many years, or accept NUM-
cipal scrip, a plan proposed by some
councilmen to meet what they feared
would be a certain shortage this year
The monthly payroll of the city is
about $4,000. AT the end of the fiscal
year there was about $4,000 still I'M
expended in department funds. Some
money has been received since the first
of the fiscal year on taxes and licenses
and more Is being received every day
The money still left in the treasury
and all money collected between now
and October l is to be transferred to
the reserve fund, fund created by the
council last year and which has been
found very valuable. Under the ordin-
ance passed by the city council yester-
day morning turning over the surplus
and collections to the reserve fund, the
city auditor is authorized to apportion
this money between the various de-
partments for payroll purposes and the
payment of outstanding contracts until
the provisions of the budget can be
made effective, which will not be until
all money is paid in on personal and
realty taxes.
viii Reach $5oo,ooo
Auditor tMushet estimates that in this
way between 100000 and 100000 will
go into the reserve fund between now
and October 1, ample to meet the re-
quirements of the payroll
Another record the city has made
during the last fiscal year is that all
departments together have overdrawn
their allowances less than $4,000. In
past years the overdrafts have amount
ed to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Several departments have been as
sisted through the year by various sums
appropriated from the reserve fund, but
most of such appropriations have been
made to meet unusual emergencies,
such as money given to the park and
streets departments last fall to pro-
vide jobs for a large number of the
unemployed.
Mr.. Mushet points to the small over
draft as an indication that the depart
ments are asking for but what they
need in their annual estimates and that
the city council should take this as a
standard of judging when making up
the budget for next year.
Councilman A. ]. Wallace could not
resist the opportunity offered on the
showing made by Mushet's figures to
congratulate the city auditor on the
careful management he had showed in
demanding regularity in the depart
ment expenditures and the city council
on It's foresight in creating the reserve
fund last year, which had been found
so helpful.
The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-03
LOST WHOLE FAMILY Mrs, Fosdick Daughter Has Now Become Insane, Leav- ing Her Entirely Alone, FOUR DIED IN ONE YEAR Mrs. taswcll Became Violent Just q Year from tho Date of Hus-
 bands Death.

A peculiarly sad case which has TO- lcently been called to the attention of the authorities is that of Bertha M. Caswell of 1ol Newhall street. From q life of good circumstances year ago, a succession of bereavement and mis- fortunes has made her hopelessly in- sane
 One year ago yesterday her husband 1 William E CasWell. died of tubercu- losls ard yestarda, Mrs. Caswell be- came violent Monday she had to he taken to Springside for examination by physicians, after which she will he talk on to the sanatorum at Norwich There is little hope for her recovery as she has grown steadily worse ev. fery day since she became insane. Two years ago MT and Mrs. Caswell were married and everything pointed to a happy and prosperous life Before Ithcy had been married year, how iover, the husband became seriously i'll ! and could no longer work Mrs. Cas- well nursed him carefully, but at length had to secure a position In Win chester's as their money was gone. | Between working during the day and caring for her husband while at home, and worry over his condition, Mrs. ] CasWcll naturally of nervous tenn | pcrament was subjected to strain greater than she could bear for long. And then just a year ago her husband died, a scene which she has never been able to throw off from her mind
 Two months after the death of her husband Mrs caswell's father. vii. liam Fosdck, died and before many months her two brothers also passed away. leaving her and her mother ab- solutely alone and dependent on their own earnings The two women were prostrated hy this succession of deaths of those near to them, but had to pull themselves together and face the pro- blcm of existence.
 At their home at 101 Newhall street. Mrs Fosdick took boarders while her daughter continued her work in the Winchester factory. Frequently as she went to her work she said 1t seemed as though the noise of the machines would drive her insane Unused tc heavy labor of this sort. and with the deaths of her family continually on her mind. with no opportunity for rest Mrs Caswelrs nerves had more than they could bear
 A week ago her mother was mortified to see that she had become suddenly insane not violently, but that her minc was filled with strange fancies and she was not responsible for her actions
 Steadily her condition grew worse S, that she needed constant watching ant her physician, pr. Stetson saw nc hopes of improvement. The only pos sible thing was to have her commit ted to the sauatorium until she should become better. and n6w,~on the ami versary of her husbands s death, she has become violent and must be kept under close restraint.
 Husband and sons gone. hcr daugh
 ter worse than lost, Mrs. Fosdick |,
 left to struggle on as best she may
The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-03
SETTLEMENT NOW IN SIGHT
Railroad Grievance Committee Expects to Sign Agreement by End of
 This Week

Tho grievance committee of the rail road men had an important meeting with General Manager Higgins yeatcr day, and matters have progressed go far that a final agreement will probs ably be signed before the end of the week This was the opinion expressed by James Murdock. national officer of the trainmcn and one of the leading members of the committee.
 Neither party would give out just what the conclusions were which were reached yesterday. but they must have come to fairly clear mutual under standing, The committee was in ses- sion with MT. Higgins for long time and probably cleared up several of the Important differences.
 After replying to the roads unsatis- factory answer to their demands, the men have been waiting with some anxiety the session of yesterday, which was tho first one this week At that time there was still 3 possibility that the matter would have to be taken up with the president or directors of the road That negotiations will probably be ended this week shows that some satisfactory working basis has been reached with Mir Higgins
 After the agreement has been worked out II will take some time to clear up the details and clean up the whole matter in q satisfactory manner To this end several meetings will be neccs- sary the rest of the week, and there will in all lIkelhood be one or more lO-lAN.