Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-10
(Rv Associated Press.b

lN AN F'RANCIoCOb june o.
announcement relating to the emo
~ of the trial of Patrick Calhoun
which has already existed over a pc
riod of nearly five months, was MADE
today, when Assistant District Attor-
ney Heney stated that the case of the
people was virtually completed and
would be closed tomorrow with the
submission of fragmentary testimony
Mr.. Heney's statement was accepted as
an acknowledgment that Abraham
Ruef, the political boss convicted OF
participation in the bribery charged to
the president of the United Railroads,
would not be called as a witness.
Ruefs attitude since his sentence 10
fourteen years in the penitent1ary was
pronounced last December has beeh
subject of conjecture, and 1t was be-
lieved that he might be produced In
court as a climax to the series OF sen
sations that has characterized the trial
Whether or not the defense will offer
any testimony is doubtful. The attor-
news for Mr.. Calhoun declined to make
anv statement tonight, and predictions
based upon the three trials of TREY l..
Ford. an official of the United Rail-
roads, who was tried on similar
charge, were in support of the theory
that no witnesses would be caileo'
Arguments Friday
In this event the opening argument
for the prosecution, which will be mace
by Assistant District Attorney O'Gara,
NAV be expected on Friday and the
case certainly will be submitted to the
jury next week.
George E. Starr, treasurer Oh tne
United Railroads, who has remained IN
iOH f.f
<and resisted efforts to compel ms ap-
pearance to testify in the Ford trials,
was called to the stand today and
questioned at length about financial
transactions relating to the summer OF
1906 when Mr. Calhoun is alleged TO
have sent to the mint fund OF $200,
900, subsequently employed to bripe
Ruef and the supervisors for the award
of the overhead trolley permit.
Starr admitted that he had been dl-
rected by Mr.. Calhoun to charge TO
the latter's account an item of $500,
for which the witness was utterly un-
able to account Treasurer Starr failed
to produce, after a search, vouchers
turned In by TREY T.. Ford when the
money was withdrawn.
Alexander Latham, his father and his
wife were examined during the day.
Latham, who refused to testify on the
ground that he might incriminate him
self. was once the chauffeur for Abra-
ham Ruef and was indicted for per-
Jury during the latter's trial. Mrs.
Latham told of her husbands employ
ment by u. H. Clarke, father-in-law OF
Luther Brown, an agent of the United
Railroads.
Frank M. Ish, business man, testi-
fled that he had transferred an automo-
bile, driven by Latham, to Clarke, and
that the latter had provided him with
new car in exchange.
CHARGE Grand Larceny
Complaints for grand larceny, charg-
ing William M. Abbott and Luther G
Brown with the theft of documents
from the Office of w. j. Burns, were IN
troduced and read to the jury. Alex
ander Latham, former chauffeur 1ol
Abraham Ruef, was then called as a
witness and asked a question relating
to his departure and absence from
the state during the preceding trials.
Henry S. Dibble, attorney for Latham
informed the court that his client was
charged with perjury and acceptance
of bribe to leave the state, and he
advised his client to refuse to answer
which Latham did.
Henry Latham, father of the young
man, next was called to tell of meeting
his son aIter Ine ldICeT went cast III
July, 1907, in company with a man
named Clarke. who figured as the young
er Lathan's employer.
Lathan's testimony relative to the
visits of Abraham Ruef to the offices
of the United Railroads was desired
by the prosecution. and Heney attempt
ed to neutralize his failure to testify
by calling his father and, later, his
wife.
The latter said her husband had been
employed by H. II. Clarke, Luther
Browns father-in-law, who resided at
San Leandro, California. Mrs. Latham
said she did not know how her hus-
band procured his engagement as
chauffeur to Mr.. Clarke, but she saw
Brown in San Leandro on the morn
ing her husband departed for the east
in Clarke's employ.
The witness said Clarke had paid
her husband $3.50 per month, furnished
board and lodging for Latham and his
wife during a period of several months.
During that time, she said, Clarke and
his wife, accompanied by the witness
and Ruef's former chauffeur, had gone
to Salt Lake, then to Denver, and re-
turned to Salt Lake, where Latham left
Clarke's employ.