The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-25
Ruefs Chauffeur, Wanted as a
eTitness, Again Drops
From Sight
Disappearance Follows COnfab
With Grafter's Attorneys
Tuesday Night
Testimony as TO Shirtbox Full
of Money Desired by
the Prosecution

Alec Latham, who was chauffeur
for Abe Ruef during the early days of
the graft investigation, and who has
since become an important factor n
the developments Of the graft situation,
has slipped from the clutches Of the
prosecution for Z second time. The
announcement that one OF the most
important witnesses against Abe Ruef
had dropped from sight on the eve OF
the date set for taxing his testimony
caused sensation and raised buzz
OF conjecture yesterday afternoon IN
Judge LzwloT's court
Although he was placed under spe-
cisl order OF the court few days ago
with Instructions 10 appear al every
calling OF Ruefs case. Latham was not
in tie courtroom when the case was
called al ? o'clock yesterday. and at the
request or District Attorney Langdon
Judge Lawlor issued a bench warrant
for his arrest and set his bail al $4,000.
Has Latham actually skipped from the
city with the intention OF avoiding be-
ing called as q witness or was his fail
ure 10 appear in court simply due 70
Misunderstanding OF the time al which
ne was ordered 10 return2 That was
the question which raised a storm OF
speculation
FEAR CHAUFFEUR HAS FLED
among the spectators in the court
room tie matter was freely discussed
and the opinion was expressed on many
sides that Latham had been bought OF
hy Ruef or some OF the higher up
graft defendants and sent out Of the
city before tie prosecution had an op-
portunity 70 make his testimony = mat
ter OF record That his failure to ap-
pear was inspired by the employment
OF tactics similar TO those used by the
sleuths OF Patrick CaIhoun's detective
bureau ia spiriting away the chauffeurs
who were wanted as witnesses when
the Older kidnapping case was under in
vestigation ny the grand jury IS the
opinion OF Special Agent Burns OF the
prosecution, who said last night:
1t Is my opinion that Latham has
been made away with TO prevent him
from testifying against Ruef- We have
attempted 10 watch him. but have been
unable 70 discover anything OF his
Whereabouts since Wednesday night. I
know that Ruef had almost complete
power over him. and that he would do
anything Ruet told him 70 do. He was
II consultation with the attorneys for
some OF the defendants at the Flood
building Tuesday night. and Z feel per
tectly sure that be is no longer in the
-ity."
READY TO TAKE DEPOSITION
Latham Is looked upon as q valuable
witness for the prosecution in the cases
against Ruef and the United Railroads
nagnates. and the suspicion that pres
sure was brought 10 bear to get him
5ut Of the way AZ this particular tine
Is heightened by the fact that District
Attorney Lzngdon had announced his
Intention OF having Lathau's testimony
isken. Immediately IN the form Of
deposition
The attorneys for al the defendants
n the trolley cases were served with
afidavits Tuesday setting forth that
Latham was expected 70 leave the state
At once. and that IN order TO secure his
testimony in legal form the district at
torney would appear before Judge Law
lor st 10 o'clock this morning and ask
gor the appointment Of a magistrate
70 take his deposition
Il is known that the tsmpering with
witnesses which was so prevalent Al /
certain stages Of the earlier proceed
.ngs in the graft cases has not ceased. !
an instance being the case OF Pete Cal
lander. one Of the chauneurs connected
with the older kidnapping. who was
Ipirited away at the time OF the grand
Jury Investigation. but returned. CAL
lander is again missing. and though
Efforts 10 locate him have been in
progress for several weeks they have
been fruitless-
LATHAM SPRINGS SURPRISE
Iathan's appearance IN court Monday
sas very evident surprise to several /
of the graft defendants. II is wei un-
serstood that his testimony VIII deal
Tith Ruef secomings and goings 1t the 4
time the bribery deals were being car
RED ont. and he is credited with some
ncriminating knowledge concerning the 4
mysterious shirt box il which Ruef is
supposed 70 have taken big bundle
- greenbacks from the once OF Tirey /
l. Ford.
When the brst Ford trial was begun
& was discovered that Latham had LETT +
me CITY and was travelling through i