Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-18
AUTO DEALER TO
GIVE TESTIMONY
IN BRIBERY CASE
R. J, LEAVITT AGREES TO
RETURN TO SEATTLE
SAYS HE GAVE MEN INVOLVED
$1,000 IN MARKED BILLS
Declares Officials Promised Immunity
from Charge of Mansaughter, Re-
suit of Motorear Killing Pedes-
trian in Northern City

IN HAT Ralph J. Leavitt, the well
known automobile dealer, will
- return to Seattle and give testi-
mony before the grand jury of that
city in the alleged bribery or black
mail cases, in which former Chief Dep
uty Prosecuting Attorney Frank Ii.
Holzhelmer and &. B. Peyton, a de-
tectlve employed by the Seattle crlmi-
nal board OF investigation are said to be
involved, was announced last night
after a, conference between Mr.. Lea
witt and Kenneth Mcintosh, former
city prosecutor of Seattle.
Mi. Mcintosh was delegated as
special agent by the grand jury now
in session at Seattle to- come to Los
Angeles and gather all data in re-
gard to the alleged blackmailing
scheme, in which Leavitt was prom
ised immunity from trial in Seattle on
charge of manslaughter on the pay
ment of $1,000 which was alleged to
have been divided between Holzhe.mer
and Peyton, according to written con-
fessions given to District Attorney
John D. Fredericks.
Although powerful influence was
exerted to have Leavitt refrain from
giving testimony i'm Seattle and de-
spite the alleged personal entreaties
of Holzheimer, who has visited Los
Angeles several times recently and is
az present in Los Angeles, Leavitt
assured Mcintosh he would go to Sc
attle whenever wanted and give the
details of the attempt at bribery.
According to Mcintosh, Leavltt has
been appealed to by Holzhelmer not
to testify against him as the result
would ruin him, and cause great sut-
fering to his wife and family.
About two years ago Leavitt, while
demonstrating an automobile to two
prospective purchasers. Is said to have
struck man on one of the prlnclpa'
streets OF Seattle, killing him. Leavitt
and his chauffeur were jointly indicted
by the grand jury on charge of man
slaughter, but after the preliminary
hearing Leavitt left Seattle and came
to Los Angeles.
August 16 Leavitt was re-arrested in
Los Angeles on the same charge,
Holzheimer and Peyton appearing with
extradition papers, but Leavitt OBJ
tained his release by habeas corpus pro-
ceedings, in view of the fact that
Governor Gillett had not signed the
papers, but that they had been signed
by the governors secretary.
It was at this time that Leavitt won
the match race against the Stearns
and Peyton were present at the race,
and it is said they realized that
Leavitt had made big financial
cleanup on the race, and determined to
work him for some money, promising
the case against him would never be
brought to trial,
Leavitt became suspicious when he
was told that for $1,000 he would be free
from further prosecution and arranged
a trap In which the Seattle officers
were caught
After arranging TO meet Holzheimer
and Peyton at the Southern Pacific
station, Leavitt obtained $1,000 in cur
rency and at once went to the office
of District Attorney Fredericks, had
the bills marked and unfolded his plan.
Captain Fredericks reported the mat
ter to Samuel l.. Browne, chief detec-
tive of the criminal bureau of inves-
tigation who, with another detectiye,
made arrangements to be at the sta
tlon.
LeaVitt Arranges Signal
It was agreed when Leavitt appeared
with his hat off that was the signal
to make the arrest.
With the pretense that they might be
seen passing the money at the Arcade
station, Leavitt took the two men i'm
his auto to an out-of- the-way place
age containing $500 in marked bills.
He then speeded his machine to the
station and literally threw his hat
away and the two men were arrested
just as the auto was brought to Il
stop.
At Captain Fredericks' office the men
broke down and made written confes-
sions oil their. attempt at blackmail
and were released with the under
-tapdit1o tbnv xVOIIld rRsipu thair nOgi-
tions at Seattle.
Holzheimer was safe in this propo-
sitlon, as he had already resigned. but
he was reappointed December / to act
temporarily in the prosecuting attor-
neys office, owing to the illness of
George F. Vanderveer, who preceded
Mcintosh.
The affair leaked out and was
brought before the grand jury now In
session at Seattle, and Mcintosh. who
was familiar with the case and had
filed the bill of information against
Leavitt and his chauffeur. was dc
tailed to make Investigations in Los
Angeles as to the bribery.
Yesterday he obtained the signed
confessions of Holzheimer and Peyton
and also the assurance Of Leavitt tc
give his testimony to the grand jury
No Immunity Promised
In speaking of the affair last night.
Mcintosh who is a guest at tho Alex
andria, stated that Leavitt had not
been promised any immunity for his
testimony but was assured he would
not be molested while in Seattle and
guaranteed his safe return to Cali
fornia.
According to the laws OF California.
Leavitt cannot be tried again in Cal
ifornia on the manslaughter charge.
Frank H. Holzheimer Is said to be
in Los Angeles at the present time.
but could not be located last night. 1t
is said he has pleaded with Leavitt
not to return to Seattle and ii was
for the purpose of counteracting these
pleadings that Mcintosh was detailed
to make an investigation.
Attorney Mcintosh stated last night
he understood that W. A. Holzheimer
a brother, and one of the Holzhe'mers'
sisters are to arrive in Los Angeles
today to attempt a settlement of tho
case without legal proceedings.
The news of the bribery attempt be-