The San Francisco call., 1909-08-14
PAINTER TELLS
OF DISCUSSING
CALHOUN CASE
Examination Shows Landlord
and Lodgers Disputed Over
Trolley Magnate's Trial
Defense Proposes to Show That
TaIesman Has Declared De-
fendant Is Guilty

A homely version of THE Autocrat
of the Breakfast Table enlivened the
Calhoun trial yesterday with gossip of
this clerk and that solicitor, the judg
ment concerning immunity contracts
and civic reform by all the guests
ranged around the groaning board and
a digression upon moral laws by the
landlord himself. That character was
called as talesman and nearly all his
opinions referred back to the daily
councils at the boarding house.
1t was evident, however, that some
of the guests did not secure the entire
commendation of the landlord, for yes
terday he spoke disparagingly OF their
expressions, inferring that they knew
no more about the subject they were
discussing than did he, although he pre-
served judicial calm throughout the
verbal battle.
PAINTER PUZZLES DEFENSE
Ira S. Parker, painter living at 5s3
Third avenue, was the talesman whose
state of mind puzzled the defense for
half the afternoon session. He stated
that his wife had conducted boarding
house after the fire, and here, it became
plain, a majority of the arguments re-
garding the issues in the graft cases
were taken up, considered sagely and
decided.
There were three men there, one a
solicitor on the Chronicle, another man
ager of the night work there. think,
and another in some other position on
the same paper, that talked to mostly
about the cases." Parker said. Their
names were Richie, Walcott and Craw-
thing about the cases, but l don't be-
lieve they knew any more about the
thing than. I did. All three men were
for Calhoun"
WOULD PUNISH CALHOUN
The attorneys inferred what storms
of oratory ragged from soup to pie, and
the painter was asked how many times
he had expressed the conviction that
Calhoun should be punished If he were
guilty.
Did you not express that opinion a
great number of times?" Parker was
asked.
mo, not great number of times" he
replied slowly.
Did not you express that opinion
many times?"
mo, not terribly large number of
times. Just a large number of times"
We'll, how many times?1
Oil, ABOUT uOzen!
WILLING TO ABANDON OPINION
The talesman believed Ruef to be
guilty, but declared he scould set this
opinion aside, and try the case on the
evidence and the law.
II feel l am strong minded enough
to do so,'' he declared
The defense attorneys seemed to have
information concerning Parker from
their. sleuths, for they told Judge Law
lor that they would produce witnesses
against Parker to snow that he had
expressed an opinion unfavorable to
Calhoun.
Langdon took the talesman for a
short time and passed him, but the ex-
animation was continued until Wednes-
day in order to allow the defense an
opportunity to secure witnesses.
TALESMAN TELLS OPINION
Attorney John j. Barrett became in
tensely interested in the fact that Rich
ard w. Parkes of 3779 Twenty-fifth
street stated that he knew James d.
Phelan.
"Ah, so you know Phelan?" Barrett
said. Now what is the nature of
your acquaintance with him?''
Merely a business acquaintance" re-
piled the talesman.
And through what period of time
asked the attorney, fixing the talesman
with an impaling glance, "did this ac-
quaintance continue?"
About two minutes was the an
swer.
Langdon became interested in an
opinion Parkes stated he possessed
Now to what does your opinion re-
fer?" he asked.
Well" was the reply, If certain
things proved true that were stated to
be true, then the defendant might be
shown to be guilty or not guilty"
POSSIBLE JUROR FOUND
A possible juror was found in Jo-
seph II. Pattee. former grocer, living
at 622 Turk street. Pattee said that
he had discussed the case very little
indeed, as a great majority of his Gus
toners were women who did not talk
about such weighty matters as graft.
He owned TO no opinion, but stated