The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-20
Former Chief of United Railroads
Sleuths Hired by. Hoefler
For Desperate Work
BRIBED PLATT FOR ABBOTT TO
STEAL DOCUMENTS FROM BURNS
Ordered Personally by Calhoun to Follow
Burns in Automobile-0fered Big
Bribe to Keep Silence
Bk w. RUSSELL COLE

By w. RUSSELL COLE
IKE thunderclap the significant
Calhoun trial broke ON half DOING court
in the very middle OF yesterday
when Assistant District Attorney Francis Heney
suddenly his and cried Call John Helms the
John Helms the who for year and half directed the
detective agency Patrick Calhoun famiaed himself with
every detail OF the workings the defense
witness for the people Already he has told the outline story
that is destined in its entirety legal history Of the
sensational recial made witness chair but only
the beginning has heard
HELMS WILL MAKE FULL CONFESSION
Helms ready make confession that shall be complete
in detail though it deals from beginning end sodd
exposure of interference justice bribery theft
other In few yesterday he heaped evidence of
damnng character before the but of
yet be told That the story which will today
His full confession has already been reduced writing and
but today be heard by the public from his lips
Though the battle OF the defense keep Helms testimony
of the record the bitter acrimonious
been fought all the months of that
the trial sweeping victory the prosecution
After listening for hour the everis arguments
and after being
members of Cahoun legal with punishment their espas
forbidden grounds argument Judge Lawor ruled that
testimony sought after by the prosecution admissible Helms
S be told in full.
TELLS HOW CALHOUN BLOCKED JUSTICE
In the short while that the Of the
yesterday added of
OF breakers the cesspool corrup
the beginning of the graft prosecutions the details
Cahoun activities interfering with the work the district
attorneys office laid bare the theft reports and papers
the office OF William Burns corroborated every detail and
substance skehed OF the gigantic plot thwar
that has been exposed since the first steps taken
purge San Francisco's municipal life OF crime
Just how Helms the side of decency and
induced ally himself with graft being
long the OF bribe gver and corrponsts
that yet be dvulgd is known however that his decision
tell his story open reached every
means OF his employers
prevent it.
OFFERED BRIBE FOR HIS SILENCE
Even he San Francisco week ago from his
hiding place Trinity county his every has Been watched
every step has dogged by detectives the employ
United Railroads. 1t said also, that he offered large
money keep lips sealed but that another part
his that is yet
surprise the defendants attorneys when Helms
yesterday afternoon For days If
weeks they the denouement threatened
have preparing against That much made plain
argument against the admission OF Helms
mony King Of Calhouns counsel read from carefully pre-
pared ypesten had legal references which
based his plea ready at his fingers ends
An perceptible shudder through the ranks of
Calhons the of the called by
Heney putting this upon the
inevitable exposure long hidden
preliminary questions allowed pass without challenge
but the moment keynote
frantic struggle prevent direct inquiry and the argument