Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-25
ATTORNEYS
SHY AT ABE
AS A CLIENT
FORMER BOSS SEEKS IN VAIN
FOR COUNSEL
AcH ACCEPTS, BUT FAILS TO
FIND ASSISTANT
District Attorney Langdon Called
Upon by Moore to State When
Calhoun Case Will Be
Called
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 24.-Superior
Judge Lawlor this afternoon upheld
the showing by State Senator George
b. Keane that arrangements for coun-
sci had not yet been completed, grant
ing Abraham Ruef a further extension
of time, and continued the matter of
fixing Ruefs trial until next Tuesday
morning.
Keane announced that Henry Ach
had been retained to defend Ruef, but
that he was now engaged in a case in
Los Angeles which would occupy his
time for several days. Keane also
stated that the prospective associate
counsel referred to by him last We'd
nesday could not accept the retainer,
and that the defendant was now ne
gotiating with another lawyer to be-
come associate counsel. The latter,
said Keane, could not give his decision
before Monday or Tuesday
District Attorney Langdon personally
represented his office and offered no
objection to the continuance.
70 Arrest Witness
Judge Lawlor, at Langdon's instance,
ordered that a bench warrant be issued
for Alexander Latham when that wit
ness failed to answer when his name
was called in court. Latham was
Ruef's chauffeur at the time Ruef ac-
cording to e allegations of the pros
ecution. d I'VE to the United Railroad
offices in MAJ. 1906 and is alleged to
have received from TREY L. Ford, gem
era; counsel, 100000 of the alleged bribe
money for the passage of the trolley
franchise.
Latham is one of the prosecutions s
most important witnesses and disap-
peared shortly before the first trial OF
Ford. He returned voluntarily about
ten days ago, and at the request of
the prosecution was placed under the
order of the court.
Detective w. ]. Burns stated that
he had been aware for some time that
efforts were being made to get Latham
to disaI pear again, but he did not know
whether these efforts had been success
full with the witness, or whether
Latham misunderstood the order of the
court to be present today Judge Law
lor ordered the warrant issued and
fixed the bail at $4,000
Just before court adjourned Stan
ley Moore, of counsel representing Pat
rick Calhoun, arose in his seat, and
addressing the court, stated that he
would like to demand of the district
attorney to state what his intentions
about the trial of Patrick Calhoun
were.
"While defendant has no objection
to this case going over until Tuesday"
said Moore, 1--WE would like to inquire
of the district attorney when he in
tends to really place Mr. Calhoun on
trial. Mr.. Calhoun Is now on his way
back from New York, and we think we
are entitled to know just what the
district attorneys real intentions are,
to avoid a repetition of the long and
weary wait
"We contend that Mr.. Calhoun heads
the calendar with reference to these
cases and that as a matter of right
and justice his trial should be the next
one in order. Now we are informed
that another defendant is to be tried
ahead of Mr.. Calhoun"
Langdon arose and replied that there
was no question that Mr.. Calhoun
would be placed on trial. but that he
could give no definite assurances as, to
when that would be, that in fact the
plans of the prosecution had not yet
been formulated t. ut far.
I'VE would like / 2sk that the dis
trict attorney descend frGm generalities
to particulars in this case" replied
Moore. We have repeatedly demanded
to go on trial, and Mr.. Calhoun wants
to go to trial Immediately upon his
arrival here from the east and not be
kept waiting indefinitely while the
plans of the district attorney were
developing. We think he is entitled to
know when he is to be tried under all
circumstances in this matter and in
view of the history surrounding these
cases.
Langdon again said Calhoun would
be tried at the earliest possible
moment, but was vague as to when
that might be. The court at this point
ended the matter by stating that it was
being enlightened by this controversy
and ordered it to cease.
The prosecution was out in full force.
District Attorney Langdon was accom-
panied by Rudolph Spreckels, c. w.
Cobb, J. j. Dwyer. Assistant District
Attorney John O'Gara and special
agent w. j. Burns.
Ruef was represented by George B.
Keane and Richard O'Connor, former
Mayor Schmitz by F. C. Drew, the
United Railroad defendants by A. A.
Moore, sr., and his son Stanley.