The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-02-23
BY ERNEST N. SMITH.

Abe Ruef is back in town, debonair,
smiling and crafty He was brought
over from San Quentin last week in
order to be on hand to testify in the
coming trial of former Mayor Schmitz,
one of the long delayed actions re-
sulting from the graft in the heyday
of the Reuf-Schmitz administration.
Whether or not Ruef will testify
remains to be SEEN 1t is perfectly
we'll known that the case against
Schmitz cannot be proved unless Ruef
unburdens himself of a good many
things he hasn't been willing to tell
before. And a man who is in Jail
serving a fourteen-year sentence
hasn't very much to be afraid of so
far as losing anything is concerned.
However, Ruef is looking up the laws
made since he stopped his practice,
and is dickering for whatever advan-
tage he can gain from the district at
torney.
There are two things that could
happen in the ex-boss's favor if he
were free with his testimony, which,
of course, would result in his former
friend going to Jail, most likely. The
district attorney might not oppose the
petition now going the rounds for
Ruefs release from prison, and again
he might drop all of the many indict-
ments hanging over his head and for
which Ruef has not yet been put on
trial. Either one of these things is
a great deal of good without the
other.
Anyway Ruef has somewhat the
better of the argument so far, and he
can play the game for all he is worth.
He might consent to testify freely in
the coming trial after the indictments
against him are dismissed, and then
back down on the fulfllment of his
promise, and the only possible way
that the district attorney could come
back would be to oppose any move
ment made for Ruef's paroling from
prison.
Ruef's return to San Francisco from
San Quentin prison was not without
its amusing and dramatic situations
The one time fahltlessly attired boss
was somewhat chagrined to find that
his old suit tapped about him as a
result of the loss of some thirty
pounds This annoyed him somewhat
coming over on the boat, until his
growing interest in the approaching
city made him lose interest in mis-
clothes. His sister, who has been un-
failing in her devotion, met him on
the Sausalito ferry boat and flew 20
his arms. She has refused to see him
in stripes, and wouldn't even look at
the prison in the distance, but went
part way to meet him and give him
the family's greeting.
His freedom, such as it was, under
the eye of a deputy, brought back his
old-time jaunty spirits, and he talked
breezily to those about him. His
habit of punning was expressed in the
following bit of philosophy as ne
noted the swells made by the boat
roll in under the passing wharves:
We'll. the sea levels all. 1t even
brings the 'serf' up to the level OF
the peer"
Stepping ashore at San Francisco
he hurried to telephone and called
up home, then held brief reception
at the Ferry building, being recog
nized by many of his old friends Of
political days. His splendid memory
was evidenced by the fact that he
correctly called everyone by theil
nickname or their real name, al
though he had not seen some of then
for several years. He had been de
MED any special privileges by thu
court, so it was necessary to take
street car to the county jail and th'
ride through the city was an interest
ing one for Ruef.
Once at the Jail he made applics
ton to the court for permission t
> visit his home and see his mother
Ruef has always been tender and al
fectionate about her, however crue
he has been in other ways, and sh
has been spared the knowledge tina
he has been in prison. She has know
only that he has been in Europe tray
cling for his health, and in her IL
clining years she has often pleade
that word be sent to him to com
home that she might see him befor
her end. The granting of the desire
permission by the court was therefor
a great occasion, and Ruef hastene
to the family home to be joyousl