New-York tribune., 1909-04-18

was the refusal OF the trial court to instruct the
iury 70 disregard the refusal Of Auditor zimner
- testify The courts instructions left the tnpres
sion that Zirrarner failed testify because his evi
dence would have tncrininated Glass. The court
holds that the indictment was found, hut that as
Supervisor Lonergan. who the main witness Tor
the prosecution Is dead Glass will have 70 he tried
on another indictment
This reversal is another blow n The graft prose
clIrion which has been carried in much the same
manner as the prosecution Of alleged land frauds tn
Oregon and Washington. Most Of the indictments
81, these states have been Quashed because there
vas not sufficient evidence obtain conviction
Special Prosecutor Heney has brought in $50 in
dictrnents against ex-Nfayor Schrttz. Abe Ruef
and others in san Francisco. and out Of this mass
only Two convicted men in jail These are
Ruef and ex-supervtsor NJ " Cotfey- sciefnitz is
out on bail the Appellate Court having reversed
Judgment in his case and Patrick Calhoun, presi-
dent Of the United Railroads, Is now trial for
bribery.
Mrs 4 u. Scott. jr, well known in California
society and q. prominent club woman, had
escape from death in q runaway accident this week
The driver Of her carriage lost control Of his horses.
and when they had three blocks Mrs Scott
jumped ont She struck on her head and received
a severe shock. hut escaped serious injury
It looks as though Mr. Burnham's plans for =
civic centre Market street and Van Ness avenue
may be carried out. The old City Hall in Larkin
street near Market is being dismantled. The site
is bad because IS shut off from Market street by
q of lots which tall buildings may be erect
ed The proposed site al Van Ness avenue and Mar
ket street includes several blocks land which
be purchased for 81 100000 on this site could
| built City Hall, public library and other
buildings. The scheme is to issue bonds for $3.50
Ooo and have the city vote on the project.
The ordinance forbddtng the Of slot machines
in the city after July 1 finally passed this
week. This action will put end much petty
gambling For the last few months many places
have been conducted solely for profit on slot ma
chimes Lucky players received money checks
instead OF cigars and cigar checks could readily be
converted into money The ordinance will
of lucrative feature of cigar stands. which sell
most Of their stock by means of slot machines.
J J. Shubert of New York, obtained a lease this
week of the American Theatre from September l.
until his firm can erect new theatre here for its
attractions. The shuberts will probably build in
Market street. near 4th.
The Supervisors are again attempting induce
the city TO take over and rebuild the Geary Street
Cable Line. The road in its present condition gives
poor transportation. but it is claimed that under
city management it would be efficient and would
pay a handsome revenue. The United Railroads
after the fire wished to take this road and
change the motive power electricity, but the city
authorities refused.
The regents of the University of California
arranging to spend s. ,eOQooo new buildings The
state provides for $17o.9D year for inn
provements. 50 the regents have decided antici-
pate this and erect several needed build
ings the same time. These improvements in
clude agricultural hall. to cost S20l000; a
chemistry building. $4,000: land in Strawberry
Canyon. $4,000: library equipment $4,000 and
N25.o00 complete various buildings These build
ings Will be constructed along the lines of Mrs
Phabe Hearsts architectural plans which. when
completed. viii make Berkeley OF the finest
college campuses in the country
The new Sl,o1G,Do OrPheum Theatre in o Farrell
street, near Stockton. viii be opened next Mon
day. All the seats for the opening night were sole
out in few hours and the occasion promises TO
be noteworthy This vaudeville house is said 10 be
the finest the Orpheum circuit.
private vis.v given this week OF the pa mt
ings Of Xavier Martinez, artist who has long
been known 10 San Francisco Boher7ians +or his
skil and richness of coIorng. Most Of lis pictures
are Of scenes an6 lie in California and Old Mexico
'l-arles kecler. the California poet has jast nm
'sned unique bungalow the CIarenont Hills
back Of Oakland. and the Studio Club and other