New-York tribune., 1910-04-11
BRAND TRIED SUICIDE
News of Attempt Suppressed
Since Wednesday.
HIS CONDITION CRITICAL
Hacked Wrist in Penitentiary
Rather Than Tell Graft Sc
crets-A Day of Prayer.


pittsbure. April l0-William Brand,
former president Of the Common Coun-
ell. who is serving an eighteen months
term in the Western Penitentisry. after
conviction for accepting a bribe in con-
nection with the naming OF city deposi-
tories. endeavored TO end his life last
Wednesday night rather than reveal
any more OF the workings Of the coun
cilmanic grafters 10 the District At
torney.
While the news OF the attempted sui
eide was carefully guarded al the peni-
tentiary. IL leaked out to-day that on
Wednesday afternoon Brand managed to
secrete knife upon his person. and
after he had been locked up for the
night attempted 10 sever the arteries Of
his wrists. lie hacked one wrist so
badly that he tainted from the loss Of
blood but was discovered and removed
TO the prison hospital. where il is said
his condition is critical. He was in poor,
physical condition when he began serv-
ing his term.
Some time ago Brand made d confes-
sion to District Attorney Bakeley, al
leging al the time that he had told al!
he knew with this understanding sew
eral other charges against him in con-
nection with the bribery cases were not
pressed.
with the further confessions OF Stew
art and Kearns the prosecutor discoy-
cred that Brand had not told all. 'On
Wednesday a representative Of the DIS
trict Attorneys Office went TO the peni-
tentiary and Informed Brand that unless
the rest Of his guilty knowledge was
forthcoming District Attorney Blakeley
would allow the law to take the usual
course in the other cases.
This was the DAY Of prayer for Pitts
burg set apart by the Pittsburg Diocese
Of the Protestant Episcopal Church, IN
connection with the graft revelations
Not in months has there been such full
attendance al the different churches, nor
have contributions been more liberal In
all the churches Of this denomination the
ministers preached on graft. and the col
lections will be turned over 10 the diff
ferent societies conducting vice and graft
crusades
Tomorrow promises 20 be one OF the
most eventful days in the graft crusade.
The name Of the mysterious person who
paid out $4,000 at a New York hotel to
the grating councilmen viii either he
known Tomorrow night or there will be
some rich men OF Pittsburg in Jail for
contempt Of court District Attorney
r2lakelaN, late this afternoon said he had
not changed his intention Of forcing some
Of the rich men to tell what they know.
There WAS a mysterious meeting Of
bankers and business men interested in
bank held at the Duquesne Club this
afternoon.
Frank y Hoffstot indicted as the al
legged man higher up" in getting the
New York bribe pool together is still in
New York and the District Attorney had
not been advised tonight as 10 whether
il would be necessary 10 seek his extra
dition
Tomorrow is also the date set for
Judge r. : Frazer's ruling on the OBJ
lection brought up by an attorney for
I indicted councilmen. II is claimed that
/ Foreman Harrison Nesbitt is not a legal
resident Of the county and hence is in
| eligible to serve As a grand juror The
technicality. If sustained would. il is
| said. make necessary a rebeginning Of
! the whole graft inquiry.
Mayor William Magee win issue Il
| proclamation on Tuesday calling for a
special election on April % to fill va
cancies in Councils caused by the resig-
nation II guilty members.