Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-10
JURY WANTS BIG BRIBER
Pittsburg Body Says Stewart and
Young Wilfully Conceal Name.
TAX COLLECTOR IS INDICTED
Max G.. Leslie, Recently Acquitted of
Perjury, Now Accused of Brib-
ery-witnesses with
held Facts.


PITTsBURG, April "A true bill charg-
ing Max c. Leslie, collector OF delinquent
taxes I'm Allegheny county with bribery
was returned by the grand Jury. At
the same time a sweeping presentment was
handed down with general charges that
many OF the l25 witnesses which the grand
Jury has had before it during the graft
investigation thus far have wilfuily with
held knowledge Of graft secrets and that
a certain few practically have been guilty
Of perjury.
Directors and officers Of some six big
banks which profitedt by the corrupt de-
postory ordinance are severely scored by
the probers.
The indictment Of Leslie follows his
recent ecquittal on a charge OF prejury in
claiming an albi in connection with a
previous indictment for alleged bribery. He
is now charged with receiving $4,000 from
the Columbia National bank Of Pittsburg
on June g. 1905 In the former indictment
the date was named as June 6, and Leslie
proved that he was out of the city at the
time II is charged that Of the $25OOO he
paid over S17,5OO to William Brand 10 bribe
cOuncilmel.
Climax Stage Reached.
The Indictment season reached ,hat COM
plex stage today where even the grand
Jurors themselves thought it necessary to
present a comprehensive review Of all OF
their work.
1t was declared most emphaticaily that
former Councilman Charles Stewart and
Cashier James NJ. Young OF the Second
National bank. have concealed information
from the grand jury inquisitors
we have been unable to ascertain who
paid Stewart this brlbe money. Meaning
S.. 800 charged as furnished by the Friend
Hoffstot pool Of bankers) in New York.
the Jurors reported. Although Stewart
met this man on two or three occasions:
although he knew his name and had
several drinks with him. he nevertheless
swears that he does not remember his
name
Tax on the Banks.
The grand jury. also recommends new
Investigation by the directors of the Second
National bank and f.. specific terms charges
that Cashier Young is shielding r n.
Hoffstot ana there is reason to believe that
some one else connected with the Second
National bank,is responsible for this The
report made by the directors OF the
Farmers National bank in denial of any
knowledge Of payment Of any money to
bribe councilmen Is criticised in the present
ment. .e.
The validity of the contracts under (which
six favored banks now hold the city's
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 rec
ommendation that per cent be collected
on the city deposits from these banks from
and after this date Thirty depository
bani>s are now paying per cent on city
deposits and it is alleged that the agree
ment was that the councilmen were to get
the difference for reducing the percent
age.
/ The pTesentment says:
when an ordinance has been passed BY
the councils of the city Of Pntsburg by
menas of bribery, which was participated
in by more than 30 per cent Of the then
Numbers Of councils when officers Of the
six banks or persons for their benefit paid
this bribe, We do not believe such con-
tract should be held valid.
When it is a fact that other banks Of
the city Of Pittsburg Offered higher rate
1 Of interest, can it be true that these par
ticular six banks should reap large returns
from the city Of Pittsburg which now re-
] sui 10 lneln anu may EeSull 10 Infm De
cause. OF this wholesale bribery and cor
ruption?
We here desire emphaucally to de-
4 nounce as public malefactors not only the
men who solicited the bribes, who held
tup the banks and the influential men OF
the city of Pittsburg, but also TO denounce
for their part in our city's shame, the bank
or the millionaire who attempts and who
causes the downfall OF the poor counclr-
man who is paid no salary for the duties
he is called upon to perform for the ben
eft of the public
Pursuant to the request Of District At
torney Blakeley, made last night urging
the citizens OF Allegheny county to appear
before the grand jury investigating alleged
municipal corruption, and tell what they
knew OF such conditions A. p Moore
editor of the Leader went before ina,
body today. His testimony consumed hall
an hour.