The San Francisco call., 1909-06-27
BUCKLEY CLEARED
OF fBURKF'SCHARG[
Alleged Attorney Fails to Prove
Assertions Against Former
Bourbon Boss
Admits He Has No Personal
knowledge of Allegations and
Case Is Dismissed

Edmund Burke an alleged attorney.
made a poor showing in Police Judge
weller's court yesterday. when he ap-
peared as complaining witness against
Christopher A. Buckley, former politi-
cal boss whom he charged with circu-
lating false reports in April 1908. re-
garding the United States wireless
telegraph printing company. The case
Nras dismissed. Burke placed himself
Sn a peculiar position from the testi-
naony he gave on cross examination
yesterday. He said that the inven-
tions Of the company. were valueless
and vet he has a suit pending before
Judge Van Nostrand for 100000 dam
ages on behalf of himself and other
stock holders on the allegation that
Buckley was to take all the profits
from the inventions TO himself and
alleging at that time that the inven-
tions were valuable
When the case was called Burke
asked for delay. as he had been un-
able TO get his witnesses, whom he
mentioned as Schard, Gray and Ian
sing of this city and Phillips Of Los
Angeles He had a mass Of documents
at his Office and at his home, he said,
which would also bear out the charge in
the complaint. He said he was share
holder in the wireless company to the
extent Of $500 shares, which he valued
st s25, ,000 and for which he paid sl,S0o.
DENIES BLACKMAIL CHARGE
On cross examination by Attorney
Bert Schlesinger Burke declined to say
whether he had been licensed 10 prac-
tice in the courts here on the ground
that that point would be tested be-
fore Police Judge Conlan tomorrow. II
wss absolutely false that he had been
disbarred in New York, and he alleged
that he was admitted 10 the bar there
June 20. 1884. and was still in good
standing. He said that the Miss Egan
referred to in the complaint was a
telegraph operator. but he did not know
where she was now. He had been told,
he said, by the men he had named
that the inventions were useless. as
they could not transmit a message
across a room. He admitted that OF
his own knowledge he did not know
that the allegations in the complaint
were true, but he had been told SO
by Schard, Lansing, Gray and Phillips
The only thing he knew Of his own
personal knowledge was that Buckley
was the dominant spirit in the COM
pany. He had not been able TO sub
pena the witnesses because he had
been consta ntly under arrest.
Did you not on March 20 In the suit
reuding in Judge Van Nostrand's
court" asked schlesinger. make an
affidavit in which you declared that
the inventions were valuable and OF
considerable commercial value"
Il did" replied Burke, but since
that time I have had reason to change
my opinion. ] believe now that the
inventions are valueless."
rs your change of opinion" asked
Schlesinger. mot due to the fact tha
you endeaVored 20 get $500 from
Buckley and he refused 70 be black
mailed?"
That is not true" replied Burke.
WILL GO AFTER PHILLIPS
After the dismissal of the case the
officials Of the United States wireless
printing and telegraph company an
nounced that the directors of the cor
poration at their meeting next Wednes
day would vote to cause the arrest Of
s /. Phillips, former vice president Of
the concern. and now associated with
Burke in his law business. This vii
be done not because the company be
1ieves Phillips guilty Of any illegal act
but because Burke has repeatedly de
manded the arrest of those concerned
in the sale Of shares worth $4,000 anC
the division Of the money so obtained
among officials Of the company.
The shares sold were the persona
property OF Phillips and three othe
officials" Christopher A Buckley sail
yesterday, and did not belong to th'
company in any way. Phillips. how
ever, in his capacity as vice presiden
withdrew the money from the bank oil
checks and made the entry on the com
pany's books that this money wa
counsel fees"