The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-27
DETECTIVE BURNS
FINDS MORE GRAFT
Eight Detroit Aldermen Are
in Trouble This Time
OTHERS SUSPECTED
OTHERS SU
Alderman Known as Honest Tom
Turns Over $1,000 ard Makes
Confession--Have Three
Kinds of Evidence

Detroit, July 26.-Eight aldermen and
committees were arrested this after
noon on charges of accepting bribes
and conspiracy to accept a bribe for
their votes and influence in the passing
of a measure affecting city property
recently transferred to the Wabash
railroad. At least six other arrests of
aldermen are expected at any moment
and 1t Is believed that s3.700,000 passed
hands in sums of from 500 to $1,000.
The bribery was consummated and the
arrests accomplished under the personal
Burns.
More Arrests Expected
The officials already arrested are
Thomas Gilman, president of the coun-
ell, who Is alleged to have received
$1,000; E. r. Schreiter Jr., secretary of
council committees and also secretary
of the American League OF Municipali-
ties, who Is charged with conspiracy TO
bribe and agreeing to accept $500; AL
derman Joseph l.. Theison. SAID to have
accepted $500; Alderman Martin j..
OstrowslSi alleged to have received
5000: Alderman Patrick O'Brien, con-
spiracy; Alderman Pouis Tossy. said to
have received 5000: Alderman Frank j.
Mason, Alderman Louis Brozo and Al
derman Deimel, the last three being
charged with accepting 500 each.
Alderman Gilman has long been known
In city politics as Honest Tom" When
arrested this afternoon 1t is said he turned
over $1,000 and made complete confession.
Schreiter, who II is claimed by the author
tiles negotiated the affair, was arrested
In his office. Officers claim he went to
ths office of the detectives who We're pos
ing as Wabash railroad officials to get his
money and discovered the officers who had
Just arrested Gilman. 1t Is said he also
made statement to the officers.
The detectives say they have caught
their men not only with marked money,
but telephone testimony and phonograph-
ic records
How They Feel
The investigation, which eliminated in
the arrests today, has been going on since
February. when rumors of graft in the
counclmanic body began to assume seri-
Gus proportions. Mayor William b.
Thompson sought the services of detec-
tives and Andrew II. Green, a prominent
manufacturer. agreed to finance the probe
After the Investigation was begun the
Wabash railroad applied for the closing of
street on the grounds that 1t wanted to
erect "A warehouse and otherwise increase
its shipping facilities. The application
was held up in the council for time.
Then suddenly the council granted the ap-
plicatlon by vote of several members who
had previously opposed the measure.
Meanwhile the Burns operative, who
represented himself as land agent for
the Wabash, had been nj work He
had entered. according to the charges. In
TO negotiations with the secretary of the
common council committee.
Eventually 1t was decided. it is alleged,
that several who had been opposing the
street measure would withdraw their OPP
position for $1C0 each, Some o: the alder
men, however, are said to have held out
for more. 1t was then agreed that diff
ferent amounts would. il necessary, be
allowable and yesterday the aldermen be-
gan to draw their money. The last person
to receive his share, 1t is declared, was
Gilman.
The arrest of Tom Gilman. the council
leader. Is most commented upon. II is
said that he has already fleo his petition
for nomination for mayor III the fall cleo
tion.