The San Francisco call., 1909-02-18
CHINATOWN SQUAD
ACCUSED OF GRAFT
All Sans Attorney Charges Po-
licemen in Oriental Quarter
.MuIct Chinese
Gives SartoriaI, Social, Ethical,
Diplomatic and Other Reasons
for Celestials Acquittal

Accusations of graft against the
Chinatown squad OF the police de-
partment, declarations of the need OF
America to keep up friendly relations
with China, predictions of disastrous
results to Christianity.in the event OF
a warlike coalition between China and
Japan. and 81 other social, political,
diplomatic. chronological, ethical ana
sartorial topics We're introduced by Al
torney Il. II. Countryman yesterday In
the case of the guileless An sam, the
fervent devotee OF the joss OF chance
who is on trial before Police Judge
Deasy on a charge Of being behind
barred and barricaded door at the same
time that gambling implements were
also in the apartment.
While Countryman delighted most to
soar in the blue atmosphere OF dlplo-
macy and the science of man, the case
adjourned with a. mundane laugh.
The case was set for Wednesday,
when the club men and women wit
nesses may expect TO be called.
ACCUSE POLICEMEN
Countryman's accuse tions against the
policemen of the Chinatown detail
came toward the end of the e%amina-
tiOn of Antoine Neit. a grocer of Hayes
and Webster streets. The attorney for
the sportive Ali Sam was striving to
show that the ordinance under which
/ the Chinese is being tried is discrim-
I inatory against that race.
IF we show, Mr.. Neit," said Country
man, that the police had some pur-
pose in this discrimination
Explain yourself cried Assistant
District Attorney Louis Ward. What
purpose could they haVe2
The purpose We have in mind is
that there was graft in Chinatown"
retorted Countryman.
i dare counsel 10 show that any
man who viii appear as a witness for
the people in this case or that any
man on the Chinatown squad has ever
grated in Chinatown. IL We ever
had an honest sergeant and an honest
squad ii was under that man." point
ing TO Sergeant d. Matheson of the
Chinatown squad. who sat behind him
in the courtroom.
"Tn prove it," Countryman replied,
and the incident was closed.
Ward had his chance moment later
when Veit was turned over to him for
examination. Did you ever read" he
asked, that attorneys were engaged
by Chinese to keep gambling places
open and were paid by the day for
their servfces?"
THREE TALESMEN EXCUSED
But three veniremen were examined
All were excused and the day closed
with but seven men in the box
Veit said that he did not approve
of the Chinese and japanese because
they did not come up to his idea of
morals. Countryman started elabo-
rately TO show that the Chinese are
moral" the Japanese Immoral" and
soon had Veit humping over the rough
road of scholasticism.
DO you know" the lawyer asked
in a shocked tone that in Tokyo,
Japan. men and women go about
naked2"
That is not material" objected
Ward. I'VE do not propose to show
that All Sam had no clothes on when
arrested
do you think" Countryman said.
returning to the moral ISSUE that the
Chinese idea of the treatment of
women is higher than ours?"
NO AFFINITY CASE
we are not trying All Sam for hav-
ing an affinity Ward drawled
But in the event of war between
the United States and Japan" urged
the alarming Countryman, don't you
think it best for the United States to
be on friendly terms with China?"
That question doesn't tend to show
that All Sam visited the place at $50
Waverly place" objected Ward calmly
in the face of danger
We contend" insisted Countryman
patriotically, that the president of the
United States showed good Judgment
when he remitted the $11.0OO,00 boxer
indemnity. We think that in the event
Of war between the United States and
Japan the 400, ,0O0, 900 Chinese should be
on friendly terms with the United
States If China and Japan were to
unite in war, Christianity is doomed"
he added apprehensively.
This is not a diplomatic court"
suggested Judge Deasy mildly.
Our claim is that the ordinance here
is aimed at the Chinese" Countrynan
explained lucidly. "and for that reason
is detrimental to this government"
Il don't think you are entitled 10 go
into the realms of diplomacy" Deasy
ruled.
Neit was subsequently challenged for
cause because he said that he would
pay no attention to the law in the
case. but would be governed solely by
the evidence.