The San Francisco call., 1909-02-09
CARROLL COOK NOW
COFF[Y'S ATTORNEY
Former Judge Leading Counsel
for BOOdling Ex=Supervisor
Now OH Trial
Technical Objections Mark
Hearing of Bribery Charge
Against CRATER

Michael w. Coffey, one time hack in
spector and later a member of the
former board of boodling supervisors
listened yesterday to the preliminary
testimony in his trial, which began in
earnest before Judge Dunno yesterday
morning. Coffey was indicted for ac-
cepting a bribe for a favorable vote or
the overhead trolley franchise.
To the defense was credited the first
surprise Of the trial. 1t occurred wher
Carroll Cook former judge of the supe-
rior court, who was defeated by Judge
Dunno, Joined the forces of the defense
which until yesterday morning con-
sisted of Robert Ferral, Franklin Bul
and several law students. The spectacle
afforded by the array of counsel sur
rounding Coffey gave rise to much com
ment among the spectators, and there
were those present in the courtroom
who whispered among themselves
Where did he get the money for it?'
Before he became a supervisor Coffey
possessed no wealth.
Cook is known as a technical lawyer
He lost no part of that reputation yes
terday, for from the start he interposec
objections of every sort-of a technica
nature and otherwise. His objections
calities. We're speedily denied, and al
one stage of the proceedings Judge
Dunno found it necessary to request the
Coffey attorneys to assign among them
selves specific duties in the conduct OF
the defense.
II think it would be wise move
said the court, ''if counsel for defendant
would divide their work The interpos-
ing of objections and motions and ques-
tions by all three attorneys only tend
to confuse the jury. There should not
be any objection from either side to any
of the formal testimony which is going
before the court
Il am here to defend the rights ot
this defendant" replied Carroll Cook in
a tone indicative of injured feelings
and the court has no right to limit the
objections made by any member of this
counsel
we are sometimes moved by a sense
of propriety." concluded Dunno, "as well
as by good law" ana the incident was
closed.
John e. Behan. clerk of the present
board of supervisors and assistant clerk
during the boodling boards reign. was
the first witness called. He testified to
the records kept of the various meet
ings Of the board when the trolley
franchise matter was peing considered
Behan pointed out in the records that
Coffey was on several committees
among which was the street committee
He also produced the original bill
passed by the supervisors granting the
overhead trolley franchise to the United
Railroads.
George B. Willcutt. secretary of the
United Railroads, was called and iden-
titled the signature of Patrick Calhoun
which was affixed to a petition for the
overhead trolley franchise. This petit
ton reached the board two days after
the trolley franchise was granted.
An important witness for the prose
cution was George B. Keane, former
clerk of the boodling board. Keane
testified under rapid fire examination
that he had dictated the overhead troll
ley franchise to a stenographer. This
dictation was made from a copy of &
proposed ordinance which was left in
keane's Office. Although Keane pro-
fessed Ignorance as to who left the copy
in his office, the prosecution contended
that Ruef delivered the proposed bill
Keane admitted. however that Ruet
had been present at the majority of the
caucuses held by the old board
The trial will be resumed today and
it is probable that James l.. Gallagher
former supervisor, and Charles e. Box
ton, also a member of the deposed board
will be called to testify against Coffey