The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-11
LANGDON BARES
DFFFNSPS TRICKS
CALHOUN CASE
Traps TaIesmen Who Are Too
Eager to Express Opinion in
Advance of Inquiry
Repetition of Statements Excus-
ing Veniremen ROuses Ire OF
District Attorney

Patrick Calhouns sewer campaign
OF misinformation. carried on by per-
sonal agents in the social and business
world. and as faithfully waged by his
hireling or bought newspapers, was ex-
posed and denounced during the course
Of the railway magnate's trial yester-
day afternoon by District Attorney
I.angdon in a ringing speech that left
The defense attorneys TO rely only on
an appeal to Judge Lawlor for his
authority to stop further evidence OF
their devious ways OF attempting to
sway public opinion from the demand
that the higherups be prosecuted for
their crimes against the people. The
denunciation was called forth by the
statement of a talesman-a statement
very like several that have been made
in the last few days of the trial.
Three times during the days session
I.angdon found Ii hard to contain him
self as he encountered the stereoptyped
phrases Of opinion" voiced by tales
men. but during the examination or the
first man he cOntented himself with
taking the citizen over series OF
questions regarding the moral aspects
Of the case that left the prospective
5uror without q word of defense. It
was while addressing Charles Nadro, a
wholesale dealer living at 1914 Sacra-
mento street. that the district attorney
found himself unable TO further contain
his Indignation.
CALMLY STATES OPINION
ing smile, that he did not believe Cal
noun should be prosecuted, when the
supervisors. confessed criminals. were
allowed TO go free. He did not believe
Calhoun guilty, anyway.
DO you think that the supervisors
accepted money!" Langdon asked
The talesman admitted that he be-
lieved the city officials were corrupt.
And from what source do you think
this money Gamer" was Langdon's next
query.
This was bringing the matter so close
that the issue could not be avoided, and
Nadro hesitatingly said. From every
place they could get it-from different
corporations"
The district attorney then led the
talesman through series of questions
TO catalogue the gas company, tele-
phone company and others as those
from which the supervisors probably
secured money.
And do you believe they secured
money from the United Railroads."
Langdon concluded.
TALESM&N DEFIES LANGDoN
The talesman's smile returned and he
answered. No, throwing the word out
in a what are you going to do about it
manner.
A. 4f,o+ c+on7a,- Mara aroso "a r-o
test at what he termed this practice
Of protracting an examination inter-
minable," and Langdon was on his feet
in a moment
4 know the juror is not stating the
truth he shouted. and as repre-
sentative Of the people Of the state of
California I desire TO unmask him, and
that is what / propose to do"
The defense was thrown into dis
order by this plain statement, but
Stanley Moore, caretaker of the flock
Of legal talent, was up with a harangue
by the time LangdOn had seated him
self. and droned out a long protest
10 the court. The atmosphere cleared
after this. Nadro was allowed to go,
and the regular work Of questioning
jurors was resumed.
THOUGHT CALHOUN INNOCENT
Abraham Hoffman. first of the tales
men 10 draw Ld0SQOn wrath. is a
salesman with Hoffman. Rothschilds
company, and lives al 1920 Eddy street.
Hoffman astonished the courtroom by
stating. without being requested to ex-
press his opinion, that he believed Cal
hoUn had nothing to DO with the brib-
cry, and that the district attorney
probably got the supervisors to testify
taat they received the money.
You mean that you accuse me of
subornstion Of perjury" Langdon said.
Il feel that way" the talesman re-
piled
Alexander NJ Shields. a life insur-
snce agent living at 243O Jackson
street. was put through a similar
course Of questions by Langdon. and
finally ended with the lame remark
that he thought the supervisors were
lying when they said they got $4,000
from Calhoun.
The examination of two talesmen.
Henry Nelson, a retired farmer living
at the old peoples home, 25O7 Pine
street, and John NJ O'Dea, a book
keeper living al 233 Duncan street.
was continued until today, that it may
be established whether or not they
are upon the assessment roll.
Otto Anderson, the contractor whose
examination was continued from Nom
day. was excused yesterday after he
had qualified for the jury panel. on the
discovery that he was not on the as
sessment roll