New-York tribune., 1910-04-12
TO EXTRAD|TE HOFFSTOT
Accused Millionaire Refuses to
Return TO PittSburg.
GOV. HUGHES WILL DECIDE
Graft Investigators Scan Hotel
Imperial Registers for Name
of Man Higher Up.

PittsburE. April 1.-The registers cL ule
Hotel Imperial. New York. al which place
the largest lump % the bribe money ior
Pittsburg councilmen was paid over 20
Charles Stewart I'm June, 1908, are In the
possession tonight OF District Attorney
William A Blskeley. The books are ex-
pected 20 reveal the signature Of the man.
as vet unnamed. who handed over the
money 20 Stewart.
Frank y Horstot. the alleged leader or
q pool which raised a s520eo fund TO in
iuence legislation IN favor Of six Pittsburg
banks. will fight extradition from New
York 20 Pittsburg. His local attorney, w.
r. Rodgers. who returned from New York
to-day, gave uot tonight a letter 20 Dis
trict Attorney BIakeley in which he de-
clared that the decision to fight xtradition
was based on the following considerations:
1t is manifest on the face OF the pre-
sentiment that the object Of the Indictment
recommended therein is 10 endeavor to
compel Mr.. HofTstot to appear before the
grand Jurors and submit 10 an examination
by them as 70 the very transa ctions con-
corning which they found indictments. We
think that in advance Of trial such a pro-
ceeding is improper and that our client
should not be exposed 20 such inquisition-
with respect 70 the constitution OF the pre-
sent grand jury 20 which your attention
has been called by motion to quash a Ger
tain Indictment found by IT, We think this
question is OF such character and import
aEce that IL should be raised with respect
10 any proceedings against our client and
we propose to do that al A proper time.
The latter references are to the motion
aCr nv rr,v sv,r7Ft
ed councilmen. that the indictments be
quashed on the ground that Harrison Nes-
bit is ineligible TO serve as foreman Of the
jury because ne is not. IL is alleged, a legal
resident Of the county. Judge R. 5. Frazer,
who was 10 ~ule on this point to-day post
poned his decision.
n reply 70 the counsel for HoTstot Dis
trict Attorney Blakelev said tonight that
extradition proceedings would be begun at
once. The papers are now practically ready
10 forward 20 Governor Edwin s. Stuart.
Mr.. Blakeiey himself will go to Albany to
lay them before Governor Hughes. The
papers will not ask for Horstots appear
ance before the grand jury. as was recon-
mended by that body. but before court
70 answer charges on which ne has already
beeen indicted.
The inquisitors had several bankers. who
have previously testified in part. before
them again to-day, but the only action
taken was a formal presentment ordering
the change OF a date in a previous indict-
ment against Max G. Leslie. collector of
delinquent taxes in Allegheny County.
When Criminal Courts opened c. D. Til
bury, formerly a member Of Common Coun-
ellis. but now a resident Of St Paul, sp-
pesred before Judge Frazer and entered a
plea OF no defence" Mr.. Tubury stated
to the court that he had accepted 500 from
Charles Stewart as a loan"
Did YOU ever pay the loan back?' the
court asked
no. sir" said Tilbury.
When. then. did you decide that the
money was given YOU for your vote on
the bank ordir ances2" was asked
Since the publication Of the affair in
the newspapers" was Mr.. Tilbury's reply.
Sentence was suspended.
While the Select and Common Councils
were meeting and receiving and accept
ing without comment the designations Of
several members indicted for alleged graft
ing. the PittsbUrg Board Of Trade tonight
was adopting a resolution 10 the effect
that the councilTnanic bodies he abolished
and a government by commission suOsti-
tutei. A committee Of the Chamber OF
Commerce has recently compiled a report
fav0ring similar action-a board OF nine dl-
rectors Of city affairs, ~ a salary Of Ss.0O0
year. A resolution calling for the dis
uiszaI Of three of Mayor William a. Ma
gees cabinet members was laid on the
table. after q conciliatory address by Z.
NJ Bigelow, former Director Of Public
Works
Mr. Bigelow argued that action against
To one should 5e taken until charges were
proved. I5e told. by the way, en incident
CT his CficiaI life in PittsbUrg- He said
5000 was once offered him by d Chicago
concern 10 accept a certain article An
~ her time a man left a cigar box on his
desk. saving il vas a gift smoke. IL proved
70 be filed with so gold pieces. He hur-
Vie hack n ne flnnpT with