The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-09-15

Charges of political corruption
of such degree as to warrant a
committee investigation for the
purpose of bringing prosecution
on a criminal charge were laid be-
fore the Central Labor union last
night by candidates before the re-
cent primary and others, who were
either successfully grated or had
been approached.
Foremost among those against
whom it is claimed sufficient evil
dence is at home to establish
guilt beyond the question of a
doubt, is Thomas Joyce, ward
politician, former president of the
bartenders' union and choice Of
Mayor Moore for weight inspector.
That Joyce, presuming upon his
labor connections, tried to graft
right and left off the candidates,
even STOPPING to betray his labor
friends, and did successfully graft
off at least one candidate, was sub
mitted by affidavit. Gordon G..
Corbaley made affidavit that Joyce
demanded $500 from him as Henry
MvBride's representative, for
which sum he would agree to have
McBrides name selected as the
labor candidate for the guberna-
torial nomination. The offer was
not accepted.
Another man who Is also ac-
cused but whom the committee
has not sufficient evidence to de-
clare guilty is j. Il. McCracken, a
member of the labor temple COM
mittee. The committee was inform
ed that McCracken made over
lures to Harry Rosenhaupt, candi-
date for congress on the republi-
can ticket, and Jimmy Durkin, can
didate for governor on the demo-
cratic ticket. Durkin, it is stated,
is said to have replied to Nc
Cracken: mo, wouldn't give
you smell out of one of my
whiskey bottles" Rosenhaupt,
also, 1t is declared. repulsed him.
1t is known that McCracken told
Rosenhaupt on the evening the
Central Labor unions choice was
announced that Rosenhaupt had
not been regularly endorsed and
that a statement to that effect
would be denied In the morning
paper.
He remarked that Rosenhaupt
did not want the denial circulated
and that he, McCracken, might be
able to head 1t off.
After some more conversation
on the subject Rosenhaupt told
McCracken that he would not pay
money for such n purpose and the
matter was dropped. McCracken
had told Rosenhaupt that sit is up
to you" in connection with stopping
the threatened publication.
Rosenhaupt was regularly en-
dorsed by organized labor and re-
ceived the support of its best ele-
ment.
There is also talk duplicating
William Cody, known as "Bill,"
nephew of Buffalo Bill' Cody.
The evidence against Cody is not
in shape to give out, but Is to be
Investigated.
Both Cody and McCracken deny
their connections with anything
limiting at graft, but, nevertheless,
they are under investigation.
Thomas Joyce also denied re-
Gently that he had attempted to
graft. He declared aside that he
never went after anything that he
didn't get some way or another,
and claimed that If charges were
brought against him he was in
possession of the original docu-
ments of the political committee
which would prove changes had
been made by others. He would
not admit he made changes or at
tempted to make changes.
At the meeting In the hall at
6t2h Riverside avenue last night
the labor committee, consisting of
John McChesney. chairman; G. W..
Dow of the Federal union No. H.
ga and VIII Coates Of the press
mems union, submitted report
condemning several persons for
alleged grating or attempting to
graft and thus discrediting labor
organizations generally. The com.
mittee told the central union that
II was In possession of positive
evidence against Thomas Joyce