The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-18
RUDOLPH SPRECKELS IS
CALLED AS A WITNESS
Heney Declares That the Defense Does
Not Stick to Proper Line of De-
fense and That He Is Try
ing Calhoun Only.

San Francisco, May 17-Rudolph Spreck-
els, the San Francisco banker who con-
tributed 100000 to prosecute an inquiry
into municipal conditions in 1906, was
called to the witness stand in the brib-
cry trial of Patrick Calhoun today. He
gave a detailed account of his reasons
for opposing MI Calhouns plans for
railway delevopment and of the manner
in which he became a supporter of the
prosecution.
Assistant District Attorney Heney, re-
plying to statement by one of the attor-
neys for Defense declared he had thrown
down the bars, had summoned Mr..
Spreckels as a witness for the first time
in any of the bribery trials, and that
he stood ready to meet any line of in
quiry the defense might choose
I'VE have been trying Mr.. Calhoun
and no other,' said Mr.. Heney. but
from the time we began the selection of
the jury the defense has endeavored to
try Rudolph spreckles and James D.
Phelan at the same time You have in
sinuated times without number that Mr..
Spreckles was back of the prosecution
for a malicious purpose, for his personal
gain and profit, and in an effort to
gain control of the United railroads. You
made this issue. Surely you are not
afraid to meet it now that he is on the
stand prepared to answer your ques-
tions."
Mr. Spreckles testified that he first
came into conflict with the United rail-
roads in 1905 when he learned of pro-
for the cable on the Suter street sys-
TEN. AS an owner of property on this
systems lines and as a member of the
Suter Street Improvement club, Mr..
Spreckles said he actively opposed the
programme and that he had consented
three times to meet Mr. Calhoun for a
discussion
Mr.. Spreckles said he had steadfastly
refused to accept the street railway pres-
dents argument in support of the over
head trolley and had rejected offers of
compromise.
ION the occasion of our third inter-
view" said the witness, Mr.. Calhoun
said he would be willing to withdraw the
cable line from Pacific avenue where my
residence Is located and substitute an
overhead trolley line on Broadway In
the same district. He called my atten-
tion to the fact that in common with
many of my neighbors / had carriages
and automobiles and was not dependent
on the street cars. In reply, l said
that my fight was not selfish and that
I was interested in behalf of people who
had no carriages and automobiles and
that | would not entertain the proposi-
tion.
Mr. Calhoun at this interview said he
was ready to construct tunnel through
Powell street hill and make the entrance
one of the busiest transfer points in the
city 1 asked him If this was because
/ owned property at the corner of Powell
and Suter streets and he expressed sur
prise, saying he did not know of it,
Mr. Spreckles said he had telegraphed
to his attorney in the east, urging his
immediate return and had directed the
lawyer to prepare articles of incorpor-
alton of rival transportation company
In an effort to defeat the overhead troll
ley.
Mr. Heney led the witness to relate the
circumstances under which he arranged
with james L. Gallagher for contract
of immunity, absolving the supervisors
from legal penalty. Mr.. Spreckles testi-
fed that William j. Burns had arranged
for Gallagher to meet him at the Pres
with authority by the district attorney to
offer immunity to Gallagher for a full
confession.
Gallagher. he said, refused to tell any
thing until assured that all the other
supervisors would escape punishment and
a second interview was arranged at which
Gallagher was told that all the supervi-
sors who confessed would be granted
immunity.