Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-01-12
CALHOUN GRAFT
TRIAL BEGINS
Case Against Prominent San
Francisco Capitalist
Called Today


rick Calhoun, president of the United
Railroads and the capitalist whom
Francis ]. Heney regards as the
arch-plotter of the so-called high
er-ups" against whom the graft
prosecution has been warning for
over two years, went to trial today.
His case was called this morning
In Judge Lawlor's court, where near
" five weeks ago Abe Ruef was con-
yicted of offering to one of the hood
ling supervisors the bride which Cal
houn is accused of having placed in
his hand.
Calhoun's trial is one of the things
for which all San Francisco has watt
3D. and the street railroad magnate
Declares that he has waited for 1t him
self with more impotence than any
body else. Calhoun has fumed at the
delays which. the graft prosecution
interposed heretofore whenever he
demanded a speedy trial He has ac-
cused Heney, Detective Burns, Dis
trict Attorney Langdon and Rudolph
Spreckels of needlessly prolonging
the suspense, and he has charged
them with bad faith toward him.
The plans Of the district attorney
have not been altered one whit by the
foundations heaped on 1t by the in
dicted capitalist. The program has
been carried out without swerving,
antil now the decks are cleared, and
Calhoun has his opportunity to vindi-
pate himself.
Both sides in the fight, which has
Just commenced, are out for blood"
2 the language Of the ring, knock
put" is al THAT will end the struggle.
Nothing else will satisfy. San Fran
cisco, realizing the Intensity of the
animosities which sway the warning
actions, is watching even the first
ormal steps in the case with bated
breath, for there is no telling what
day may bring forth and ON the
outcome of the battle hangs the fate
the graft prosecution, which has
pitt the city into two warning camps.
Calhoun, rich, shrewd, resourceful
md stubborn, has engaged the clev-
erest lawyers he could find to defend
aim. He has surrounded them and
aimself with a small army of private
aetectiVe5, intently watching every
move made by Burns and his agents.
De has lined up behind him some of
me most influential papers in the
nate, and he has, as his secret but &C
ave aides number of the city's veal
1niest men. He enters the fight with
Ormidable allies. There will be pIen-
OF money and brains working to
Leep him from going to the peniten-
nary and. If Heney knows what he is
laking about, there will be darker
lnd more cruel influences. at work,
lor the graft prosecutor does not hes
'lAte to accuse the Calhoun interests
= sharing with Ruef in all the vene-
nous dynamitings kidnapping, jury
'fioing plots which have hampered
us work here since its inception.
heney expects to win despite such
opposition. Two years warfare in
ms city has sharpened his native
nfeWdness and has taught him what
expect from his opponents. He
Is learned the weak spots in the
lmor OF his enemies, and he has not
-'ied to profit by the mistakes which
ana his associates have committed.
ue failures to convict others OF the
van defendants have not discouraged
Nm out have spurred him on to re-
s~ed efforts. He has devoted many
-ol'hs to perfecting this case.
heney aserts that the evidence
I"h vii be presented against Pat
% Calhoun viii be stronger than
= used in any of the three trials of
icy L. Ford, chief counsel for the
-''ed Railroads-stronger, too. than
st used in convicting Ruef.
"nat San Francisco is anxiousIy
sing itself today is this: WIN IL
-'iet Millionaire Calhoun?