The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-05-18
SPRECKELS'S SIDE
OF PROSECUTION
Man Who Furnished Funds to
Fight Calhoun Is on Wit
ness Stand.
HENEY CHALLENGES:
THROWS DOWN BARS
Says His Witness Is Ready to
Answer Any Question Asked
by the Defense.

SAN FRANCISCO. March 11.-Ru-
doph Spreckcls. the San Francisco
banker, who contributed 100000 10
prosecute an inquiry into municipal
\ conditions IN 1906, was called TO the
s witness stand in Nhe trial Of Patrick
Calhoun today. and added to Inc case
Of the people detailed account of his
reasons for opposing Mr.. Calhoun s
plans for railway development and Of
the manner in Which he became III
volved az Il supporter OF the prosccu-
ton. His examination bad been in
progress nut few moments when As
sstant District Attorney Francis j.
Heney replying to a statement by one
of the attorneys for the defense, de-
clared that he had thrown down the
bars, had summoned Mr.. SprecEcls as
witness for the first time IN any OF
the trials for bribery. and that be stood
ready to meet any line of inquiry the
defense might choose 10 pursue when
cross-examination was reached
Heney's Plain Statement.
owe have beer trying Mr.. Calhoun
and no other said Mr.. 1leney. but
from the time We began the selection
of the Jury the defense has endeavored
10 try Rudolph Spreckcls and James D.
Phelan at the same time. You nave
insinuated. times without number. that
Mr.. Spreckels was back OF the prose
cution for malicious purpose for his
personal gain and profit and in an effort
TO gain control of the United Railroads.
You made this issue. Surely You are
not afraid 10 meet 1T now that he is
on the stand, prepared TO answer your
questions.
Mr.. Spreckels testified that he first
came into conflict with the United Rail
roads in 1905, when he learned Of
proposal TO substitute the overhead troll
lev for the able on the Sutter street
system. As an owner Of property on
the lines of the system, and as mem
her of The Suttcr Street Improvement
club. Mr. Sprecbels said be actively op.
posed the project among his influential
acuuaintanccs and he had consented
three times 10 meet Mr.. Calhoun to
discuss the project.
In detailing the conferences TO which
he referred Mr.. Spreckels provided the
most Interesting feature Of the days
proceedings. He said that he had stead
fasily refused 10 accept the street rail
way president $ arguments in support
of The overhead trolley and had re-
iected offers Of compromise that he
thought might not be TO the city s
advantage
son The occasion of our third inter
view said the witness Mr.. Calhoun
said he would be willing 10 withdraw
the cable line from Pacific avenue.
where my residence is located, and
substitute 3n overhead trolley line on
Broadwav. in the same district. He
called nv attention to the fact that IN
common with many Of nv neighhors, /
had carriages and automobiles and WAS
not dependent on the street cars, In
reply ] said that my fight was not
selfish one and that ] was interested
in behalf of people not so. fortunate
as TO possess carriages and automobiles.
and that | would not entertain the
proposition.
Great Forces Rivals.
HNTr. Calhoun. at this interview. said
that be was ready TO construct tunnel
through Powell street Hill. and make
the entrance one Of the busiest trans
fer points ip the city. ] asked him II
this was because ] owned property at
The corner Of Powell and Sutter, and
ne expressed surprise, saying he did not
knew of II, -
subsequently. according 70 The tcsti
mony, tha improvement club and Mr.,
Calhoun had exchanged letters through
ihe newspapers. ana the organization
announced determination 10 do all III
It's power 20 defeat the overhead troll
lev Mr., Spreckels said he had tele
graphed 10 his attorney in the east,
urging his immediate return and that
he had directed fine lawyer TO prepare
articles of incorporation of a rival
transportation system. Before the fire
of 1906, Mr. Spreekcls said ne had
gone. In company with his father, TO
see Mayor Eugene z. Schmitz and urge
tina. he oppose the overhead grant by
the supervisors.
Immunity Promised
Mr. Honey led the witness 10 relate
the circumstances under which lie ar
ranged with James l.. Gallagher for q
contract of immunity, absolying the su-
pervisors from legal penalty. lie testi.
fled that William j. Burns had arranged
for Gallagher to meet HIM AT the Pre-
sidio and thai he had gone there armed
with authority by the district attorney
. to offer immunity TO Gallagher for n
full confession Of the boodliug schemes
in which the board had engaged. Gal
laphcr. he said, refused 70 tell anything
until assured that all the other super
visors would escape legal punishment,
and second interview WAS arranged.
after the district attorney had declared
that Gallagher s testimony was essen
tial. At the second Preside conference
Gallagher was told that all the super
yisors who confessed would be granted
iumuuitV