The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-20
ABBOTT PAYS
DETECTIVE FOR
STOLEN PAPERS
Proposal TO Shadow Burns With
Men in Autos Comes
From Calhoun
Attempt Made to Pay Big Sum
to Keep the Plot
Secret

John Helms has been engaged in de-
tective work for the past 10 years He
was employed by the United Railroads
from July. 1907, until August, 1905, to
shadow William J. Burns and such
other men as We're employed by the
district attorneys Office in running
down crime Helms was empowered
TO hire as many men as he needed and
10 make fun reports TO the United Rail
roads of the movements Of Burns or
his assistants. In these negotiations
Helms dealt for the most part with
william NJ Abbott. but upon important
occasions conferred with Tom Gibson
and Patrick Calhoun.
II was through Helms that the
United Railroads was placed in touch
with T. A. Platt, secretary 10 William
J. Burns. Helms acted as middleman.
and. acting for Abbott. engaged Plat
TO purloin papers. reports. codes and
dispatches from the Office of William
J. Burns.
In addition TO this Helms placed men
on the heels Of Burns and his assistants
to embarrass them in every way dur
ing their investigation into the dyna-
hitting of the residence Of James Cal
lagher All this and more was brought
out yesterday through the confession
Of Helms on the witness stand.
It was through Louis Hoefer. the
wei known attorney, formerly a men,
Der Of the firm of Bishop and Hoeier.
that Helms was placed on the staff of
The United Railroads. He had done
some work for Hoeher and was later
told 10 report TO Abbott From that
time he worked for the Calhoun forces.
Helms is a resident of Trinity county.
For a number of years he was a mem
Der Of the secret service Of the United
states government. with asst gnments
in the orient Upon his return TO this
country in 1906 ne went 10 his Trinity
county home. While there he received
a letter from Hoeher looking to his
employment. and this was followed in
May, 1907, by a telegram in which
Hoef1er requested his immediate pres
ence in san Francisco. Helms obeyed
the summons and was put TO work by
Hoeier at shadow duty.
REPORTS TO ABBOTT
then Hoefer instructed Helms to report
thereafter to William II. Abbott Helms
met Abbott at the United Railroads
Office at Oak and Broderick streets and
there was given full details of the
work he was expected to do He was
told 10 keep an eve on Burns and his
assistants In order to do this as the
United Railroads desired, he was given
fun authority 10 hire as many men as
rs
der the name of the Helms detective
bureau and assigned his men TO follow
the special Investigators.
The task was found TO be difficult
one. but upon the suggestion Of Tom
Gibson Helms mounted his men on
motor cycles. Upon one occasion
Helms discussed The matter with Pat
rick Calhoun during one of the Ford
trials at Temple Israel Calhoun
asked Helms how he was progressing
and the latter replied that motor
cycles We're entirely too slow and I'M
satisfactory. Calhoun thereupon told
Helms TO provide his men with auto
mobiles This was done
Helms received daily reports from
his corps Of shadowmen and turned
these documents over to Abbott every
day or two 4 careful account was
kept Of the expenses involved and
Helms presented weekly vouchers. Alb
b0tt paid him in gold and Helms paid
Of the men with this coin.
Il was during one Of the Ford trials
that Helms approached Abbott on the
subject Of Platt lie Informed Abbott
that he had cultivated an acquaintance
with Burns confidential man and eX-
pressed the belief that he could use
him TO advantage. Abbott grasped this
suggestion eagerly and told Helms TO
DO what be could Helms made prog
ress and Abbott arranged to pay Plat
$500 a month TO deliver papers, reports.
telegrams and other documents from
Burns Office.
This agreement between Abbott and
Platt was made. according to Helms.
4 eirher at the Oak and BrOderick street
Office or at the law Office Of Garrett Nc
Enerney. Conferences between Plat
and Abbott were held at both places,
said Helms yesterday.
ABBOTT PAYS THE MONEY
The payments were made to Plat
through Helms the money coming from
Abbott For = long period Platt con-
tinued 10 purloin the desired papers
SO eager were the United Railroads Of
fcials for certain papers that they
agreed up.Bn one occasion TO pay Platt
a bonus oil So for their delivery
This cor finued for many months. IN
August. 1gtS. Helms resigned and Plat
was instrxrted TO report direct to Abb
bolt The thieving stopped only with
the arrest OF the principals a couple
Of months ago.
The deie lse has been aware for the
last week p two that Helms had made
confession 10 Burns. This confession
was IN afiicagit form. Agents or the
defense were rushed to Trinity county
IN an endelvor to keep Helms from
returning 10 San Fransisco to testify
and offered him $1,000 to remain
silent IIelr1s however. had decided
on sus course and returned to San
Francisco. lie was shadew ed al the
way down by Two men in the employ
of The United Railroads.
Helms came to San Frn nctBca in COM
many with Charles Golf. ths detective
assigned to the district attorney S
ofHce. in order TO avoid undoe pub
lefty Helms was quartereo at the
Rome IL Gon az 1928 EighteeRtA ave-
-lue. He has been there for a wesk
While Helms WIS at tire h0nAe Of
CoH the United Railroads made still
another attempt to get into comm sni-
nSatiOn with hfrl. Detective Bergfa OF
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