Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-12-23
CRAFT In PITTSRURG
Six Men in Public Safety ment
Said to Have Left
MORE DISCLOSURES ARE p = ID
People Surprised by the sudt
and Extent of Development
NINE MEN ARE UNDER ARREST
They Include Seven Members Of the
Council and Two Bankers.
LATTER ARE FORCED TO RESIGN
President and Cashier of German
National Retire PendinE Inves-
tiEa1IO1--Hesvy Bail Fur
ntsbed by Accused.
LATTER ARE FORCED TO RESIGN

TO an alleged '1eak in the public safety de-
partmenf OF PittHburg q number of men,
said 10 be six. have left the city as re-
suit Of the disclosures in connection with
the graft scandal.
Edwin T. McGough. captain Of detectives.
whose resignation was demanded. when
asked for a statement regarding his dis
missal said
There is nothing criminal against me"
Late today the government off ciRls de-
MED that at a conference earlier in the
afternoon the graft scandal had been con-
Hidered in any form.
Following the sensational arrests here
last night of seven councilmen and two
bankers on charges Of alleged corruption
in conducting the public affairs Of this city
Il is intimHted today that even more start
ling developments viii trsnspire soon.
The people are surprised almost beyond
description at the suddeness Of the arrest
Of the nine men. During the night and
early today there was apparently no sleep
for those interested in the alleged scandal.
The nine defendents and their attorneys and
friends held many conferences for the
purpose OF discussing the matter, while
the officials of the Voters league, who
worked up the charges. together with prom
inent attorneys and high municipal officials
of the city. also held meeting at which
It is said. plans were perfected for the
arrest OF other men alleged TO be impli-
Gated IN the bribery scandal.
According to the best information obtain
able today 1t is possible the municipal
scandal OF San Francisco will be insignin-
cant when compared TO the alleged grating
here.
This Merely Beginnang.
Attorney A. Leo Well. president of the
Voters league stated today:
This iB the beginning. The end is not
yet"
Following are the men accused: Council
men William Brandt. Jehn +. Klisn. J. c.
Wass0n.. T. o. Atkinson. Jacob soffel. w.
H Melaney and Hugh Frerguson- Former
President W. W. Ramsey and former
Cashier A A visack OF the German Ma
tional bank. are also accused.
The information against each of the
seven members of the two councils charges
conspiracy corrupt solicitation and per-
jury.
An additional information against Brand
was begun and Klein charges him with
bribery and corrupt solicitation.
From Brandt, WATSON and Klein bail in
the sum OF $4,000 each was demanded The
bah Of the other four members OF the
councils was fixed at $4,000 each.
The information against Ramsey and
vnsack charges them with giving Klein
H7.5OO as "a bribe. Ball demanded from
each Is $4,000.
While all the defendants were taken by
surprise when arrested last evening. each
secured the necessary hail, which in the
aggregate amounted 10 S17s.OO0.
All the informRtions were sworn TO by
LensRrd De Wolf, secretary OF the Voters
league. and formerly political writer on a
local paper.
This afternoon rumors are heard that
prominent men interested In traction com
panies In this city and Philadelphia are
implicated in the bribery scandal II il
also said that number of well known
local business men are 10 be arrested, while
II seems certain from intimations made by
attorneys affiliated with the Voters league
that several more councilmen viii be taker
into custody.
Bank Officers Surprised
Concerning the case against Ramsey and
VilsRck OF the German National bank, At.
torney Charles A Pagan. vice president OF
the bank, issued the following statement:
On last Saturday, after banking hours
the attention OF the board of directors waI
directed BY the national bank examiner 4
the fact thHt charge had been made OF tn,
improper use OF mercy 10 secure the selec
tion of the German National bank one
came as a great surprise 10 the members
OF the board. II was deemed advisable
however, pending a proper investigation, 4
secure The reFignatlons Of Mr. Ramsey
the president. and Mr.. YilsRck the cashier
they being the officials affected by TIT
charge This was done
The seven councilmen, II is formally al
legged. .conEpired with each other and wit
divers persons unknown. 10 secure tn
passage by corrupt and unlawful mean
and by bribery Of the members OF the Sc
lect and common councils Of ordinance
and resolutions designating the dspositarie
OF the city: bridge ordinances. bond urdl
nanoes for freeing bridges between Pitts
burg and Allegheny, recently consolidated
ordinance for additional filter beds 10
the new liberation plant: Heberton stree
railway ordinance; a resolution 10 pave
portion Of Fourth avenue with wood bloch
others pending before councils
Are All Up for Re-EIectiOn.
An the cOuncilmen are candidates 70
reelection at the next election IN February
William Brand is president OF the commu
council; Ferguson formerly q reform eouI
Gilman; WATSON. chairman of the finAnc
committee; Soffeu, chairman OF publ
works committee, ana Klein. who is sers
ing his FIRST term. is a well known rive
man
Among the lawyers who approved IN
prosecutions are Thomas Patterson. J. Ros
sterrett. NJ. w. AchesOn. Jr., ana David ]
Watson. an attorney OF international fam,
An these have signified their willingness
10 prosecute the defendants without con
penEation-
The councilmen and bankers viii be give
a preliminary hearing before Magistrai
Brady al 10 O'Clock tOmorrqW morning. ]
the meantime the greatest sfcrecy Is bein
maintained by the Voters league regardin
the case. Mr.. Wilson declihtRs 10 disclOl
anything additional q thar " tich develops
last night. merely saying I lat Eomathin