The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-23
Startled Pittsburg CRATER
Was Then Covered by Re-
voIver of Officer and Taken
Into Custody.
SMOKY CITY PROBE WAS
STARTED BY PRESIDENT
Mr.. Roosevelt, 1t Is Stated,
Wants Sensational Photo
graph for His Reward
>Sensations Are Sprung.

Pittsburg. Pa, Dec. 23-Sensation
crowds sensation in the councilmanic
it has become definitely known that it
was Theodore Roosevelt, president of
the United States, who first started
the ball rolling here.
Mr.. Roosevelt some time since was
Informed quietly at Washington that
there we're certain suspicious entries
on the books of banks in Pittsburg, en-
tries which had evidently been fixed to
pass bank examiners, but whose his
tory might stand looking into.
Mr. Roosevelt got into communica-
tion with Mayor Guthrie, of Pittsburg,
an this line and the result was that
special examiner came and looked over
the books of certain banks. The Sc
Eies Of explosions, beginning Monday
was the result.
Chief of Detectives Edwin McGough
was suddenly dropped from his posi-
ton. Mayor Guthrie, who has been
running the investigation, sent orders
to Director e. G. Lang. of the depart
ment of public safety, to get Mr.. Nc
Coughs head at once.
No explanation was given, but it is
understood that McGough was sus-
pected by his superiors of having tip
ped" off some of those for whom
warrants have been issued and who are
now missing
"He Knows Why" Said Mayor.
IF Mr.. McGough wants me to tell
the public why he was dismissed. I
will do so,' said Director Lang, "but
he won't want to make any fuss about
it. He knows why"
But the browning sensation of yes
terday came with the making public
of the fact that some of the council
men had been caught with the goods
on"-caught in the act of taking mon
ey as brides from those they were
fleeing. In fact, they were caught
with the camera and q flashlight
The Voters League D of Allegheny
county, which appears on the surface
as the money spirit Of the prosecution
has in it's possession the photograph of
one of the leading councilman, now
under arrest, caught in the act of TAX
ing money at the FIT. Pitt Hotel.
The picture will be used as evidence
at the trial before the magistrate, or
ut least will be shown in court at the
trial If the councilman in question
makes any defense.
The photograph is said to be one of
the most complete exposures ever
known. The Councilman in question
is known as one of the big Six" and
is said to be the one who did all the
collecting in large cases.
The price had been agreed on with
the contractor by the alIedged bood-
ling Councilmen for the paving of
Fourth avenue with wooden blocks.
Some days ago the supposed partner
of the contractor-the one who was ex-
pected to pay the blood money-reach-
cd Pittsburg and the councilman ap
preached him.
Its coming Christmas time and the
boys want their money" he said.
The contractors supposed partner
hemmed and hawed about settling, but
was told by the contractor to come to
the 1T. Pitt hotel at a certain hour
that afternoon when the money would
be ready.
Walked Right Into the Trap.
The councilman walked right into
the trap, going up to the room OF the
supposed contractor to receive the
money which had been agreed on be
fore the councilman would permit the
ordinance for paving this street tt
pass. This day there was to be paiC
$4,000 to the grating councilmen.
Come right in,' said the "contrac
tor" to the councilman, who walket
in and sat down at table opposite tht
contractor with a fat looking pocket
book. The price was repeated by til,
councilman, and the contractor, open
ing his billbook, began to count GU
the bills of 500 and $500 denomina
ton to the hungry member of thu
Pittsburg council, who grabbed then
up and began counting them, when
flash bang! the room was filled with
bright flame, followed by smoke. an,
the terror stricken councilman knew
that he had been the object of flash
light photograph, and what was NOR
he found himself peering into the muz
zle of a cruel looking revolver held b.
the supposed contractor.
Drop it, said the man holding tn
gun. noddiug at the money.
II was a detective who had bee
called into the game by the mayor an
by the contractor. who objected I
paying out so much blood money.
The councilman tried to hold on I
the money, but was choked an
thrown out of the room by the othe
detectives. who. in hiding, had bee
manipulating the flashlight.
Then the pictures were deyelope
and came out well. One of those pie
lures is said TO have been taken dow
TO Washington and shown to Presider
Roosevelt. who laughed loud end Ion
and obtained promise that ATTIC
PittsbuSg prosecutors were throug