The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-01
LINKS CONNECT
CALHOUN WITH
TROLLEY BR|BE
Former Director OF United Rail-
roads Says Company Did
Not Order Payment
Mint Director Says Money Was
Delivered on Instructions
From Defendant
By w. Russell Cole

Joseph s. Tobin, member of the law
firm OF Tobin & Tobin. and formerly
q director of the United Railroads.
gave testimony yesterday in the Cal
houn trial that wiz form strong
basis Of comment for the prosecution
when the final summing up of the
case. is begun.
For the first time since the begin
ming Of the trial the trend of the tes-
rimony taken yesterday was toward
showing the direct connection Of the
defendant with the payment OF the
trolley bribe. The forging of the link
was begun in two ways. The ques-
tioning Of supervisors was temporarily
suspended and Frank A Leach, di-
rector Of the United States mint. and
formerly superintendent Of the local
branch mint was called to tell of. the
payment of 100000 in gold to TREY
L. Ford under Calhouns orders. Tobin
was called after Leach and added TO
the weight OF scircEmstantial evidence
Eainst Calhoun 10y admitting that at
no meeting Of the board of directors or
The United Railroads which he attended
was the question of trolley permit
or OF the payment Of 5000 600 corrup-
tfOn money ever suggested or dis
cussed.
FORD COT MINT MONEY
Leach was called out of the regular
order set for the Introduction of tes-
1mony for rhe reason that he was
anxious 10 return 10 Washington. and
special permission. was granted by the
court TO have him called TO the stand
without delay. he told again the de-
tails OF the payment TO Ford. then
chief counsel OF the United Railroads.
OF the money transferred 10 Calhoun
from the east shortly after the fire.
He said that Calhoun first called on
him at the local mint and was advised
concerning the manner in which the
transfer could be carried out. The
arrangements were made and Calhoun
left signed orders for the payment of
the money 10 Ford.
Leach explained conditions existing
in financial circles IN san Francisco in
April and May after the IRE and why
1t was necessary at this time for the
mint to act in the capacity OF a bank
The tele s~aphic order for the transfer
OF Cslhoun's 100000 was received on.
May p and was followed later by
written Neri6cation. on May "a Ford
called at the mint and withdrew $780,
900 which was changed by the treas
urer OF the relief corporation for cur
rency.
The secoBd payment 10 Ford was
made, according TO Leach. on July 81,
and was based on a telegraphic order
from Calhoun dated at Cleveland.
Ohio. This was also for $50, O00, and
a third payment OF 100000 was made
10 Ford on August D. Leach also told
OF another deposit OF 100000 made to
the credit OF ThOrnWell Mutually, as
sistant 10 Calhoun, and Of the first
payment made TO Mutually on April IS
The latter then withdrew $4,000, part
Of which was paid over 40 Ruef This
testimony was introduced to show
the relations existing between Mutually
and Ruef.
CORROBORATED BY CASHIER
Thomas p. Burns. cashier Of the
mint, was called Immediately after
Leach and corroborated the details OF
his statements regarding the payment
of the money on July 81 he said the
payment was made in $40. $50 and
800 bills with few $500 bills while
on August % the payment of 100000
was made up OF 500 bills.
Joseph s Tobin's examination was
brief he simply told of the various
meetings Of the board Of directors Of
The United Railroads after the FIRE and
Immediately prior TO it. and declared
thar the subject OF the trolley fran
chise was not discussed.
Was anything said about the use
81 funds 20 get such a permit asked
Heney.
There was not" answered the wit
ness.
Was anything said about getting
f20o. 0e0 from the United Railroads in
Nestment company"
No, sir"
Did you ever hear Of Abraham
Ruefs being employed as attorney for
rhe company on salary or otherwiseg'
questioned Heney-
No answered Tobin. 4 never did"
Dr Charles Boxton, another former
member OF the board Of supervisors,
who was referred to by Earl Rogers
II the defense as the first reform
mayor OF san Francisco" because of
The fact that he was forced 10 III the
vacancy caused by Schmitz' resigna-
ton. was the last witness called during
The day.
The cross examination was not com
pleted. but viii be continued Monday
morning. There viii be no session OF
flae racP today