Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-11-14
LANGDON DECLARES
PRESS IS TO BLAME
DISTRICT ATTORNEY SEVERE
IN CRITICISMS
papers Responsible for Attempted
Staying of Prosecutor-Re-
views His Work There
rRz Associated Prese.I

FRESNO, Nov. 13-District Attorney
William H. Langdon Of San Francisco
tonight gave the following stenographic
interview to the Associated Press:
1.-THE slanderous, lying, boughten
press should now be satisfied. since it
accomplished the purpose it set out to
do-namely, to bring about a sensation.
mot having been contented with the
assassination of mems characters, they
have resorted to the barbarous method
of removing from their sphere of ac-
tion and usefulness the men whose
duty and sense of right impel them to
oppose the nefarious schemes Of rich
criminals
1.-THE noisy portion of the public has
tried to create the impression for some
months that the prosecution should be
stopped, as it was injuring business.
The great mass OF the people, however,
upon every opportunity they have had
to speak through the ballot, have
stood squarely for the continuance Of
the graft prosecution.
He Is Optimistic
''I am optimistic enough to believe
that it will always be SO in any COM
munity. however far 1t may drift from
the higher ideals that should be found
in civic life, in city, state and nation.
1.-THE great mass of the people stand
for civic decency, common honesty in
public and private affairs, and al
though they may be misled for time,
yet they are inherently honest and in
the long run will uphold the right and
condemn the wrong.
81 do not think it would be proper or
opportune to express an opinion as to
the effect this attempted assassina-
tion win have upon the prosecution, as
/ feel that the loss of a life of a man
like Heney would make any success far
too costly.
However, the graft prosecution will
go on. Neither kindaping. bribery,
dynamiting or assassination will para
lyze the arm of the law.
"The...law must be enforced. the
prosecution must be carried to a sue
cessful termination or anarchy must be
admitted to hold sway in San Fran
cisco. That admission will never be
made.
Cause Receives Shock
"The cause of good government has
received a severe shock by the at
tempted assassination of Heney one of
it's leading advocates who has been alb
solutely unselfish in his services to the
public knew positively that Heney
has given his entire time to the public
service without one dollar of compen-
sation either given or promised.
There are few men in this country
who possess the traits of character
which make Heney the indomitable,
fearless, persevering prosecutor that he
is known to be.
At trust Heney will recover, and
also hope the press of California-that
portion of the press of California which
has been unjustiiably hostile to the
graft porsecution-will realize the error
of its way and will hereafter support
and sustain the cause of good govern
ment regardless of the personality of
the men engaged in the work.
BIames "Hostile Press"
"The hostile press should realize that
it is one of the causes of the divided
sentiment in San Francisco. 1t has
caused Haas in open court, and in the
presence of many persons, to wantonly
shoot down a public prosecutor.
1.-THE press and the men who have
undoubtedly primed and encouraged
Haas to wreak vengeance upon Heney
from a fancied wrong arising out of
the public work are to blame entirely
for the tragedy of today"
Mr.. Langdon was asked If he be-
lieVed the attempted assassination or
Henev would give rise to a vigilante
committee He said:
At am a law officer of the~county Of
San Francisco. 1 shall use every means
within my power to suppress any
movement of that kind, should 1t be
started. believe in enforcing the, law
through the regularly organized chan
nels.
"While it may be n slow and tedious
method, yet it is the safest and best
and the only one that will be toler-
ated"