New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-09
LESLIE INDICTED AGAIN
Grand Jury Changes Date Al
legged Bride Was Paid.
CALLS BANKERS PERlURERS
Move to Make City Repositories
Pay 6 Per Cent on
Municipal Funds.

Pittsburg April s-A true bill charging
Max q. Leslie. collector OF delinquent
taxes i'm Allegheny County. with bribery
was returned by the grand jury to-day
At the same time a sweeping presentment
was handed down with general charges
that many Of the one hundred and twenty
FIVE witnesses which the grand jury has
had before it during the graft investiga-
tons thus far have wilfully withheld
knowledge Of graft secrets. and that GER
tain few have practically been guilty of
perjury. Directors and officials of some of
the six big banks which profted by the
corrupt depository ordnance are severely
arraigned.
The indictment of Leslie follows his re-
cent acqUittal on a charge of perjury in
claiming an albi in connection with
previous indictment for alleged bribery.
lie is now charged with receiving $4,000
from the Columbia National Bank of Pitts
burg on June 8 1905. In the former indict-
ment the date was named as June s. and
Leslie proved that he was out of the city
al the time. II is charged that Of the
s25.eo0 he paid over SI7.5oO to William
Brand To bride councilmen.
The Indictment season reached that COM
Jurors themselves thought it necessary to
present a comprehensive review of all their
work
1t was declared most emphatically that
ex-Councilman Charles Stewart and James
". Young. cashier of the Second National
Bank. have concealed information from
the grand inquisitors.
we have" the jurors reported, been
unable TO ascertain who paid Stewart this
bride money meaning $1,000 charged as
furnished by the Friend Hoffstot pool Of
banks in New York. Although Stewart
met this man at least upon two OF three
occasions although he knew his name and
had several drinks with him. he neverthe-
less swears that he does not remember his
name"
The grand jury also recommends a new
investigator by the directors OF the Second
National Bank, and in specific terms
charges that Young is shielding +. y.
HoTstot anu that there is reason to be
lieve that some one else connected with the
Second National Bank is responsible for
this The report made by the directors Of
the Farmers Deposit National Bank in de-
NAL Of any knowledge Of payment of money
TO bride councilmen is criticised by the
Presenment.
Tie validity OF the contracts under which
six favored banks now hold the citys
money is attacked.
Important. in that it shows how the
banks were induced TO put up so large an
amount Of money for the Doodle fund. is
the recommendation that s per cent be col
lected on the city deposits from these banks
from and after this date. The city depos-
TORY banks are now paying per cent on
city deposits. and it is alleged that the
agreement was that the counciimen we're
to get the difference for reducing the per
Centage.
The presentment says:
When an ordinance has been passed by
the Councils of the city of Pittsburg by
means Of bribery. which was participated
in by more than 20 per cent OF the then
members Of councils; when officers of the
six banks or persons for their benefit paid
this bribe We do not believe such con-
tract should he held valid.
When it is a fact that other banks Of
the city OF Pittsburg offered a higher rate
Of interest. can it be true that these par
ticular six banks should reap large re-
turns from the city Of Pittsburg which
now result TO them and may result to them
because OF this wholesale bribery and cor
rupuon?
We here desire to emphatically denounce
a. public malefactors not only the men who
solicited the brides who held Up the banks
and the influential men Of the city Of Pitts
burg but also to denounce for their part in
our city's shame the hank president or the
millionaire who attempts and who causes
the downfall OF the poor councilman who
is paid no salary for the duties he is called
upon 10 perform for the benefit Of the
public"
Pursuant to the challenge Of District At
torney Blakely. made last night. urging
him 10 appear before the grand Jury and
tell what he knew Of graft conditions. A.
+. Moore, editor OF The Leader" went
before that body to-day His testimony
consumed half an hour. and at its concIu-
sion the jury turned its attention to rou-
tine matters
Nothing Will he done regarding the indict-
nent Of Frank y. Hcf!stot until after his
attorney ccnfe-s with him in New York
Nj Hofstots legal representative is ex-
pected to communicate with the District
Attorney later as 10 whether the indicted
banker will come to Pittsburg voluntarily
or fight extradition.
Just how much longer the graft investi-
cation will continue the District ATTORNEY
refuses 10 say None Of the men indicted
in the bribery cases viii he called for trial
until after the investigation is closed
The conclusion OF the presentment dis
closes that the bank ordinance and the
ordinance for vacation of South eth street
were not the only pieces of corrupt council
manic legislation The jurors openly state
that El,Joo in bride money was paid for the
vacation Of Home street. but no indictments
could be returned. because the st.tute Of
limitations applies
In the section OF the presentment which
deals with this II is declared that sam
Heppenstall and g. ". HeppenStaIl two
prominent business men Of tbs city each
paid brides to Charles Stewart the former
paying $1,000 and the latter $500.