The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-05-13
JAMES D. PHELAN
WAS UNDER FIRE
ReCOunted Controversies Over
Type of Electric System to Be
Installed in City
HENEY INQUIRIES INTO REASON
FOR CAPITAlIZING COM
PANY AT FOURTEEN
MILLIONS.

San Francisco. May 12-With the
entrance of the trial or Patrick c.
Calhoun upon the fifth month OF its
progress today. much matter new TO
the bribery graft investigation was
present during the lengthy and cxhaus-
tive examination of James D. Phelan.
former mayor of the city whose inter
rogation occupied the entire session
today. From statements made by AS
sistant District Attorney Francis J.
Heney during proceedings today. 1t is
learned that Rudolph Spreckles, one
of the most prominent figures In the
graft prosecution, will be called as
witness either tomorrow or Friday,
and that other business men who
have been concerned In the matter
since its inception, will follow him.
The examination of Mr. Phelan had
to do with the reasons and motives
that actuated him in assisting the In
ception of the prosecution; into his
acts as mayor Of the city during his
three consecutive terms in office. into
all the controversies over the troll
ley matter prior to the IRE OF 1906,
into his connection with the valley
railroad, in the San JOAQUIN valley;
into his relations with Rudolph Spree
els at various times and into many
other matters diStantly related to the
present trial though tending to indi-
cate his state Of mind throughout the
whole OF these transactions Much OF
this was brought up by the defense IN
parently being to show that the wit
ness was not compelled by unselfsh
motives assigned to him by the prose
cution in his opposition to the trolley
franchise On redirect examination
Mr. Heney endeavored to remove the
impression thus created.
Mr. Phelan was excused at the close
OF the day with a provision by the
defense that he might be recalled If
they so desired.
Mr. Phelan recounted the contro-
versies over the type OF electric sys-
tom to be installed In the business
portion OF the city, in which the Adorn-
ment association and Mt Calhoun
were involved No letter addressed
to the association, signed by Mr.. Cal
houn. was introduced The document
declared that. because of business In
activity, the writer felt impelled to
make public the actual position Of the
company.
The letter set forth what purported
to be a proposition made 10 the COM
pany by the members OF the associa
ton at the conferences by which tho
corporation agreed to leave 10 the peo-
pie the questions of the Market and
Sutter street underground conduits. 1t
was further stated in the letter that
the company had agreed to donate 20
the Park Panhandle Extension project
the difference In cost, should the over
head system he desired
"Mr. Phelan, did this proposition
mentioned in this letter come from
committee" asked Mr. Heney.
1T did not, that letter was the first
knowledge we had Of it."
"Dld You have anything to say to
the offer to donate the Panhandle pro-
ject prior to the receipt of this let
teri"
"Yes, | told Mr.. Calhoun, when he
first spoke of that, that we could not
consider it"
A letter dated March % was then
introduced In which Mr. Calhoun With
drew the offer because of threatened
legal steps against his company.
did you have knowledge OF such
steps having been taken?" asked Mr.
Heney.
II did not" declared the witness
Mr.. Heney then brought out that
Mr 'Phelan, In 1906, became one OF
the incorporators of a street railway
company in San Francisco associated
with Claus Spreckels, Rudolph Spdeck-
els. George WhittelI and Charles s.
Wheeler.
The articles of Incorporation of the
municipal street railways company of
San Francisco, filed the day before
the earthquake, were read.
Mr.. Heney then sought TO inquire
into the reason for capitalizing the
company at 100000. 10 which the
defense objected
81 thought you wanted the bars
thrown down." said Mr. Heney to coun-
sci for Mr.. Calhoun. You have been
insinuatlng all through this trial malt
cious motives on the part OF certain
men. Now we propose to. open 1t up
and let you go as far as you like,
but you are notwillins to do it,"
The court sustained the objection
and, following another question or
two, the witness was surrendered for
cross-examination.
Among the spectators were Ger
trude Atherton, the author, and Nat