The Detroit times., 1908-12-24
VOTES WERE SOLD
FOR So BY SOME
OFFICIALS
SCANDAL IN PITTseuRo PROM
isEs TO oUTRlvAL CONDITIONS
IN SAN FRANCISCO, ST. LOUIS
) AND OTHER CITIES.

PITTSBURG, Pa. Dec. 24.-The
shocking developments In the boo
die" case. which involves seven coun-
cilmen and two ex-nationdl bankers,
are said TO be mere preliminaries TO
a scandal that will outrival the shame
full conditions In San Francisco, st.
Louis, Cincinnati and other cities.
Apparently from the testimony of
fered. this city's councils are abso-
lutely rotten in every sense or the
word. II was intimated strongly that
over three score councilmeL are easy
to reach" and the reaching neces-
STATED only small sums. ranging
from $5 to 800. Out OF mass OF
testimony II was CLEANED that a ma
jority of the council body OF Pitts
burg have been reached. la the pass
age of one ordinance alone 1t was
testified that 60 councilmen had di
vided $4,000.
The evidence as given showed con-
clusiveiy tho gigantic proportions or
the graft system, and whilo insinua-
lions have been made for some time
past that things here we1e crooked.
1t was not believed they were nearly
SO bad as the evidence at preliminary
hearing showed.
Sensations followed in rapid sue
cession during the hearing OF the sew
en- council men and two former bank
officers arrested on chargos OF brib-
cry, corrupt solicitation and conspir-
acy last Monday night.
w. w. Ramsey and A. 4. Wilsack,
former president and cashier OF the
German National bank. were first
placed on trial. 1t was testified that
they had been approached by Couu
Gilman John Klein, one OF the accus-
ed. who stated the bank would be
made a depository for the city's funds
In the event that the German Ma
tional bank would do as other banks
have done" After severa. confer
ences the bankers placed S17,500 on
table in a room OF the bank. Coun-
Gilman Klein and a companion enter
ed the room and short time later
left the bank. The bankers then Wis
tied the room and the money was
gone.
Detective a Witness.
At the request of the directors or
the bank, both men resigned last Sat
urday.
They were held for court In the sum
Of $4,000 bail each.
The seven councilmen, President
Brand and Members Klein, Soffel.
WATSON, Melaney and Ferguson, OF
common council, and Atkinson, OF Sc
lect, were then called for trial.
The principal witness wac Robert.
Wilson, private detective and SUI
perintendent of the Municipal league
Of Scranton, Pa, who is employed by
the Voters league OF PittsDurg, which
brings the prosecution.
Wilson's testimony was sensation
al In the highest degree. Aided by
an assistant, WILSON engaged room
in a local hotel and, he testified, cut
holes In the door and walls OF an adj
Joining room. Then series OF meet
ings were arranged with councilman.
His assistant, Herbert Jones, posed
as a business man desiring certain
ordinances passed, and during his
conferences with the councilmen,
Wilson and a stenographer were sta
toned In the next room making q
full record OF the transactions.
During these conferences Council
man Klein had a great deal to say
regarding how complete councils were
controlled by the accused men, the
detective said. It was also testified
that Klein and Branch each accepted
$500 from Jones In payment Tor Sc
curing the passage OF an ordinance.
At q meeting held in another local
hotel Klein, It was testified. told Will
SON how hard II was to divide money
among the councilmen. To illustrate
his remarks, Klein related how $45,-
600 had to be split between so coun-
cilmen. This money was received In
connection with the construction or
filter beds at the new filtration plant
of Pittsburg.
Klein. Wilson testified, said the
councilmen had different prices. Some
wanted 800, some SIS, some $35, and
some IS. The S. counc'lmen were
known as "hoodlums."
IL was also possible TO secure some
,councilmanic votes at times in return
for a suit of clothes or for street car
tickets.
With the exception OF Klein and