Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-21
BARES GRAFT STORY.
KIein's Confession Causes
Sensation in Pittsburq.
GRAND JURY Is At WORK
Numerous Arrests Are Expected to
Follow-Banks Are In.
volved.

PITTSBURG, March 21.-Greater Pitts
manic graft scandal. Capt. Johnny
penitentiary, under sentence for recetv-
ing money in 1908 for his vote in the
selection Of q city depository. has made
good his threat to pull down the props
and let the sky fall" District Attorney
Blakeley told the whole story to Judges
Fraser and Cohen in criminal courts
today. So great was the crush at the
courthouse that the tipstans were forced
to close the doors Of the building and
refuse further admittance.
The public prosecutor told the court
that Klein during the last few days
Of years, ana which statement has been
corroborated, exposing the whole system
Of graft in former councils Of this city.
He said six banks had in 1908 paid
the sum of 500. 900 to be elected city
repositories. He also told the court
that street vacation frauds were COW
cred in Klein's statement to him.
Grand Jury in Session.
The entire matter is now under con-
sideration by the grand Jury assembled
today. and Of which Harrison Nesbit.
president OF the Bank Of Pittsburx, is
foreman.
Klein appeared at the courthouse
guarded by detectives early In the day.
and was all smiles. II made this con-
fession, first. because owe II to my fam
public" he said. II have malice toward
none"
The large number Of informations have
already been made by the district attor-
ney before Judge Fraser. sitting as COM
men mentioned in the information have
not as yet been made public.
District Attorney Blakeley said that he
would proceed against the persons
named In Klein's confession to the full
est extent Of the law
Sensational Day Portended.
Hours before the assembling of the
grand jury in the crowded offices Of the
district attorney the general air OF sup
pressed excitement about the courthouse
portended a Sensational day. Indictments,
over a score in number, are expected to
issue from today's grand jury session
To eliminate needless delay in ham
ding the cases reported to be certain to
come up out Of the former councilman's
confession county judges conferred dur
ing the morning az to the ACCESSIBILITY of
one of their number sitting as a com
uniting magistrate" and upon informa-
tons made by the district attorney issue
bench warrants, thereby eliminating
much Of the red tape ordinarily accom-
panying proceedings in graft trials.
Promises of Immunity.
In his statement before the court Dis
trict Attorney Blakeley petitioned THAI
he be allowed to promise immunity to
all those who would enter pleas Of guilty
to the charges he would later brins
against them.
Judge Cohen granted tho prayer and
immediately afterward the district attor-
ney appeared before Judge Fraser sitting
in another department Of criminal courts
as committing magistrate, and entered an
information against ]. H. Sheasley. q
former councilman. charging him with
having received 500 Of a certain alleged
graft sum during 1908. Sheasley being
present, at once entered q plea OF not
guilty. The plea seemed to Indicate that
the former councilmen mentioned in
Klein's statement to the district attorney
have decided to make a stand against
the allegations against them.