The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1917-03-31

Mayor eli" Gill, Of Seattle. Wash.
aMd sixteen other officials, including
tho chief of police and sheriff are bs
ing tried In Federal Court on the
charge OF receiving bribes and protect
ing bootleggins concern. The gov
ernment "star" witness Is Logan Bill
lngslcy, alleged head Of the boot
leggers. The following dispatch to the
Los Angeles Times. describes the sen
sational court scene In which BillingS
ley testified he gave Seattle's prohibt
ton mayor $4,000 to dismiss cases
pending against him: -
tThe chief Of police left his once
reached into my pocket; took out
$4,000 In currency and laid 1t on the
desk where the mayor was sitting
He picked 1t up and put 1t into bic
pocket"
Thus did Logan Billingsley tell the
jury and breathless, straining CROWD
In Federal Court today that he bribed
Mayor H. G. Gill on August 80. 1916,
to dismiss city cases pending against
him and his brothers and surrender
discriminating evidence which had
been seized July 26 in police raid
on the Night and Day Drug Store.
II was the big moment In the story
If the governments chief witness 10
lie booze graft conspiracy trial OF Gill.
chief Rockingham, Sheriff Hodge AND
City Detectives Peyser. Poolman.
Doom and McLennan.
Nioting that for time threatened
TO reach serious proportions started
in che corridors this afternoon when
deputy United States marshals, rein.
forc1d by large squad OF police, a.
tempted 10 force back crowd OF sew
eral hundred persons eager to hear
the ease.
Two women swooned and were car.
riol into the marshais Office. Police
arl deputy marshals forcibly elected
many persons who resisted their Of.
forts to press them back. Order was
not restored until the court ordered
the doors closed
Tells Straight Story,
r,llings,ey told the circumstances
OF his alleged bribery in the matter.
of.flct manner and voice he has used
since his indictment and arrest short.
ly before Christmas.
He leaned forward and talked di.
rectly to the jury. He used the In
lex finger Of his right hand to motion
in emphasis rs he talked.
Il felt sure since the 7th Of August
that my cases with the city would bs
compromised" he testified. my a.
tornoy. George Vanderveer, had dis
cussed compromise with the mayor
and told me that they could be CON-
promised.
Il went to San Francisco to arrange
for carload shipments of liquor as soon
as ! got the cases dismissed re-
turned to Seattle August 27. Before
that had discussed with my attorney
the probable cost of getting the cases
dropped. In fact had agreed to pay
$500. .
Il even tried To get him to attend
to 'he details, only bothering me to
pay the cost. lie refused and said
that any such personal expense I
would have to attend to.
Finally, when he had assured me
that the chances OF settling the case
were good I went to the Washington
Annex and got $4,000 from the safe
there and returned alone between 4
and o'clock to the police station,
The mayor was there. We all had n
visit. The mayor treated me mighty
decent He didn't show any of the
feeling toward me that lie had shown
after the Weedin shooting.
"Paid Wrong Conductor"
Finally, the chief left the once.
The mayor told me that he knew
had been paying Detective Peyser.
You have been paying the wrong con.
ductor,' he told me.
II can't remember the eynct words
used, but ! gave him to understand
that wanted to know who the right
conductor was. took $4,000 In cur
rency out OF my pocket, laid 1t on the
desk where the mayor sat and he put
II In his pocket"
Neither Mayor Gill nor Chief Beck.
ingham changed expression or position
at this stage OF Billingsley's recital.
THE chief returned and the mayor
told him that they were going to bs
my friends and for him to get my
papers. The chief told him that there
was subpoena for the papers ITO
hell with that" the mayor said.s "
The chief said Prosecutor Lundil
had asked for them In state case.
ITO hell with Lundin,' the mayor NJ