El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-27

Former Political Boss to
Testify in Former May
or's Trial.
HEARING TO START
ON MONDAY MORNING

san Francisco, Cal. Jan 27.-Abe
Ruef. the former political boss Of san
Francisco, has been 'sUbpenaed by dis
trict attorney Fickert TO testify
against the man he is alleged to have
made" former mayor Eugene f.
schmitz, whose trial on charges Of bril-
berry viii begin February ].
There is a good deal Of discussion
going on as to the possibility o. Ruef
who is now serving IA year term in
San Quentin for his connection with
the mismanagement Of this city during
Schmitzs administration. testifying
against his colleague Of the days when
their word was law in San Francisco.
While there are I6 indictments stand
ing against Schmitz, he will only be
called upon 10 answer one in the trial
which begins Monday
This Indictment charges him with Of
fering a bride and is based on the
statements Of officers OF the Pacific
Gas and Electric company, and the con
LESSONS OF supervisors who held office
during his administration The specif-
lc charge is that Schmitz offered
bribe to ex-supervisor l. A Rea TO
vote according TO instructions on a GER
tain gas rate ordinance Rea offered
70 return his share of the Doodle to the
city 3 few years ago.
Big Crowd Expected.
It is fOregOne conclusion that the
courtroom and the corridors OF the
courthouse building will be packed to
capacity Monday morning by those
who are familiar with the story Of
Ruefs long rule OF graft and his ulti-
mate downfall This will be the first
opportunity san Franciscans have had
70 get glimpse Of the former political
car since he was convicted and SEN
fenced to penal servitude
To the argument put up by. many
that Ruef would not think Of tesdfying
against Schmltz, others, who are OF q
dlfferent opinion. reply that Big Jim"
Gallagher one OF RUefs old associates.
gave damaging testimony against the
former mayor at hearing some time
ago, and that Ruef viii do the saue
oIudons to reform
Ruef and sehmitz At Outs.
It seems TO be the general belief that
the ex-mayor and ex-bOss have been on
bad terms for the last six years While
Ruef was making his unsuccessful fight
for liberty il is not known that he re-
ceived any assistance from Schmitz,
who was attending strictly to his own
business, apparently Indifferent to the
fate in store for his former associate
It is not known that Schmitz or Ruef
were ever heard to mention each other
since the well remembered day in court
when the hardened Abe broke down and
Wept at the verdict OF the jury Yet
the possibility Of secret conferences and
correspondence through the aid Of
trusted Heutenants, Is being cOntinu-
ally limited by those who are firmly
convinced that Ruef viii not DO Of any
assistance TO the prosecution IN secur-
ing the conviction Of Schmitz. The lat
ter has been enjoying freedom and de-
voting his time TO the oil business, IN
derwritten fire insurance and the pro-
motion Of a patent oil well drill, while
the former boss has been consulting at
to-neys and formulating plans for Sc
curing pardon when not at work in
the jute mills OF the prison
VIII See Many Former Friends.
When Ruef enters the courtroom he
will see a number Of his former &C
Quaintances who have also been sum
mOned as witnesses Among them VIII
be- Dr. Charles Boxton. Mike ". COT
fey, Dan G. Coleman, Sam Davis, George
Fluffy, John J. Furey, John F. Kelly
Pat n AEcGushin. Max Mamlock, Jen-
nings W Philips. W ". Sanderson,
Andrew n. Wilson, L. A Rea and F. P
Nicholas.
The gas company viii be represented
BY John A BrittOn, J. d. Butler, Charles
I Barnett, Frank G. Drum, Eugene de
Saba. Sam 7. NaphthaI Garrett Nc
Enerney. ". B. Bourne, n. W. Halsey
John Martin, G. ". Gosl0ck Conlisk.
Frank D Stringhsm and Cyrus W
Pierce.