The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
UPHOLDS EVIDENCE
OF GALLAGHER
Rudolph SneckeIS a Witness at
Hearing of Ruef for the
Bribery of Furey
William ]. Dingee Supplies the
Final Link Connecting
BOOdIer With, Crime

Rudolnh Spreckels for the first time
since the inception Of the graft prose
cntions by the district attorneys Office
was called 10 the witness stand in
Judge Cabaniss' department OF the
police court last night during the hear
ing Of the charge against Abe Ruef of
bribing supervisor .Furey. Spreckels
was called by the defense as its first
witness for the alleged purpose Of be-
ing used to impeach the testimony Of
James l. Gallagher regarding conver-
sations he1d with Spreckels prior TO
lfallaghers confession.
AT least that was the reason given
by lawyer Newburgh for calling
Spreckels to the stand, but after the
first few questions il became clear that
the move was for an entirely. different
purpose. such a fragrant attempt was
made by Ruefs lawyer. after many
whispered conversations. with the eX-
boss. to anger and insult the witness
or twist his answers into statements
opposite TO their real meaning that
Judge Cabaniss several times had to
interfere and direct NewbNrgh sternly
10 cOnfine himself to proper cross ex
animation.
The bitter personal animosity Of
Ruef showed ia every question which
he whispered into his lawyers ear to
be asked Of the witness.
IN every respect Spreckels' testimony
was cOrrOborative OF that which had
previously been given by Gallagher.
Spreclzels told OF having met Gala
CHER a the Preside some time in 1906
and Of details leading up TO his confess
sion.
no DIRECT GUARANTEE
Did you guarantee $1,000 for the
expenses ef the graft prosecutions"
asked Newburg,h.
1T was no direct guarantee. I only
made the statement that l would pay
the money" responded Spreckels. New
ertheless Newburgh continued to repeat
the question until Judge Cabaniss final
ly directed him 10 cease The limit of
my patience has just about been
reached with YOU" said the court.
when the lawyer objected to the ruling
in offensive language Now go ahead"
SpreckelS testified that he had told
Gallagher that he believed it was the
purpose % the district Attorney to pun
ish those guilty OF cOrrupting city. Of
Icials and believed If be testified freely
and fully he would not be prosecuted
Did YOU come TO any definite un-
derst2nding as TO immunity for Cal
lasher2" asked Newburgh once
i did not" retOrted. Sprecl<els. That
was matter that had TO be sanctioned
by the district attorney"
Newbgrgh was chagrined. Then he
tried new tack.
And did you promise Mr. Heney
s50.00o or any other amount for con-
ducting the work of the prosecutions"
he asked. insinuatingly. In spite OF an
objection sustained by the court on the
ground that the question was irFele-
want Sprec6els replied in ringing
tones Il did not promise Mr.. Heney
one single dollar"
SPITE SHOWN IN QUESTIONS
At that Newburg asked questions in
which the spite was so clear that they
We're not admitted by Judge Cabaniss
How much money have you spent so
far in the prosecution" he asked. An
objection was sustained.
As much as $500. .00D2" he persisted.
Il was overruled.
Have You spent much money on
Gallagher asked the lawyer again.
i certainly have not" said SpreckelS
He was then excused.
Prior 10 calling Spreckels. Newburgh
made an effort TO have Supervisor
Furey's evidence stricken out on the
ground that no connection had been
shown between bim and Ruef Assist
ant District Attorney Ward quickly
showed the fallacy Of the statement
William J. Dingee, as the last wit
ness Of the prosecution at the fore
noon session. supplied the final link of
evidence connecting Rnef with the
bribery Of Supervisor Furey in his ef-
forts 10 obtain. the ParIUside franchise
His testimony was IN corrOboration of
that given by Gallagher.
Ruef told me that it was unneces-
sary for the Parkside people to en-
ploy him as attorney in getting their
Franchise" said Dingee. But he said
that if they had any money to throw
70 the birds, they could make a bird
out or him" Assistant District Attor-
ney Ward rested his case with Dingee's
evidence.