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THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1917. HOW WILLIAM J. BURNS, SECRET SERVICE, WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF ’FRISCO’S GRAFT; A DETECTIVE WHO KNOWS HIS BUSINESS Found One Weak Spot in Forces of Organ ized Pillagers and Made Convicts Tell Story Which Led To Convictions. When William J. Burns, of the Unit- ed Stales secret service, was assigned the task of exposlngjhe rottenness and graft believed to exist among the San Francisco city officials and public serv ice corporation magnates, he found himself UP against a colossal task. It was a job that would have baffled most detectives; It was one that would even have worried and harassed that tstute sleuth, Sherlock Holmes of Ba ker street. But with a persistency that was marvelous and In the face of what seemed insurmountable obstacles, this clever detective of the government's corps of secret service men has laid bare In nil its revolting details San Francisco's shame. And now Assistant District Attorney Francis J. Heney, who routed the Ore gon land grafters, has a complete his tory of 8an Francisco’s miserable graft ing and Is prosecuting officials high and low with a vigor that threatens to send millionaires behind prison bars In convict stripes. A Gigantic Taak. When Burns was on the Job, the first thing he ascertained waa that he waa to light clever and powerful men—men who would _ spend fortunes to thwart him and Justice. The methods of ordi nary detectives would not lay bare the grafting of Mayor Eugene E. Schmltx and Abraham Ruef, the political boss of the city. He had to fight wealth, social standing and a strong political machine. He knew that his every move would be watched by dozens of theioest private detectives the wealth of the grafters could hire, and this must be avoided. He realized ho must work quietly until he had his trap ready for his victims, then spring It. It was last October that Heney and Bums began their attack upon the grafters entrenched behind a machine In full control of the city government and dispensing at least 14,000,000 each year In patronage and favors. Then the lawyer and his detective partner had no tangible evidence. All they had was the guarantee of a 8100,000 fund by Rudolph Spreckels, president of the First National Bank. Heney had been appointed an assistant district attorney and a dependable grand Jury had been drawn, hut there wai no evidence on which to proceed. Ruef was an abso lute dictator. The mere suggestion that any man with Interests amenable to police or supervisorial regulation could he found willing to teatlfy against him waa the occasion for a sneer. The pub lic Inughed at Heney and regarded the prosecution only half seriously as a legitimate pursuit of the municipal grafters. Plainly, It was up to Burns, and Burns accepted the responsibility with the quiet assurance that he would force a confession from the lips of every official who had betrayed the city. Opening Made by Jealousy. Just one weak spot the astute detec tive found In the arch of corruption. A petty political Jealousy had slightly estranged Ruef and Frank Maestrettl, one of his moat trusted lieutenants. Maestrettl had served as president of the hoard of public works and was no toriously Implicated In the city admin istration’s grafting. He had been politically intimate with the mayor and the boss and had been Placed by them at the head of the de partment where privileges were on sale and official permits had their cash value. For four years, Maestrettl had served tn such a capacity. Naturally tie had galnew knowledge that held un bounded possibilities for Burns. Promptly the detective comprehended the situation and wlt/ly he began Ills task by working for the enlistment of me disgruntled district lieutenant as an the prosecution. n. year * before this Maestrettl had oarely escaped conviction for participa tion In election frauds. The jury In his "f® voted for acquittal upon a technl- fjj'ty. hut two confederates, Charles wyman and Adolph Steffens, were con sisted and sent to state prison for the •*me offense. Rbsslble resentment on the part of l w ° convicts toward Maestrettl turns’ ffrst opening. His agents mi. ^ ,h * m ,n their cells and learned met they would tell all If given their ' Immediately the governor was . c ?' l . vlnc 'd that the men had expiated wan "'me. s « Wyman and Steffens T/v. out of Prison to relate the story J;. Msestrettl’e part In the election a hd to give any further Infor mation they could to the groft-flght- hv £5? detective In a house down , ba /u ,hora to reveal more and of ‘he corrupt administration’ Bc *iemes for forc- thf J. r , Uth . fr °. m other members of the Schmltx plunderbund. That wax Burns' first notable achievement In the fight to corner the grafters. Boon with the knowledge he had gained from Maestrettl. he had driven a number of the administra tion s favorites to the wall—among them three ex-police commissioners and two boodle go-betweens. The confes sion of each, however, he kept from the others. One knew not what his eon federate In graft had done. With ad mirable tact the detective thus played upon the vulnerability of the guilty bribe-takers until uncertainty bred fear, and fear generally led to an ap. plication for the prosecution's Immu nity bath. In such a way the detective laid a foundation for Mb operations against the mayor, the supervisors and the boss of theni all. t Mayor’s Confidant Weakened. Ono of the men closest In Mayor Schmitz’s confidence was a man known In San Francisco as G. M. Roy. From Maestrettl Burns learned that Roy was no other than Morris Golden, a fugl tlve from Justice for two crimes com' mitted In Oklahoma—one -the forgery of the elgnature of Secretary Bliss, of President McKinley's cabinet, and the other the embezzlement of 15,0(10 placed In Golden’s care by the residents of Guthrie for the purpose of securing on Indian agency. In the favor of the Schmitz adminis tration, Golden, alias Roy, had pros pered. He had grown rich from Illicit interests and thought he had left hls criminal record years behind. He had come to be a political power and a leader of the society In which Mayor Schmitz was the central figure. Then suddenly, at an early morning meeting. Burns flashed a complete story of the past before Roy’s eyes—a story Intensified by accurate details and colored by pathetic applications to the fugitive's gay freedom and social sway. Instantly Roy was on bis knees to the secret service agent. Without attempting denial he admitted hls guilt. But what could he do to escapo extradition for forgery and embezzle ment? What service could he per form?” "One thing,” said Burns. "Confess all you know. Tell us everything." A Shameful Story. And Roy confessed the whole shameful story. He told of collecting the police corruption fund from the gamblers of the Chinese quarter, of di viding the swag and of bribing the supervisors In .the Interests of public service corporations. He turned over all his intimate knowledge of graft to Burnt and then remained subject to the detective’s orders, cowed like Maestrettl, by fear of criminal prose, cutlon. But Burns kept Roy's confession sc cret so that the latter might retain the confidence of hls old associates and help at trapping ’’them. This was a wise course, for two months later Bums and two of hls assistants, con cealed behind curtains, saw two super visors, Thomas Lonergan and Dr. Charles Broxton, take a bribe of 5500 each from the hands of Roy In return for their votes against an ordinance excluding children from a skating rink In which Roy was Interested. As the supervisors pocketed the bills the de tectives confronted them. Lonergan and Boxton tried to turn upon Roy, bi were soon convinced that they had been caught and that their only hope lay In making a complote confession of their boodllng operations. Within a week they had admitted all their crimes under oath, and so Implicated their associates that the confessions of fifteen supervisors were soon In the possession of Burns. The logic of the detective's scheming Is apparent. With natural sequence, move followed move as he carefully developed hls plans, and brought to bear the Information with which he first broke the bravado of the grafters. The Convicts’ Story, v Burn * riie two pardoned convicts unburdened themselves. Then Bume approached Maestrettl. The dlztrict p er was In a vindictive mood toward bemuse he felt he had been po- tcaiiy slighted. He maintained hls «ience. however. unUl Bume broke the ram* ana *be arrangement with Wy- *S“ Steffens and told him of se- Involved Mm In numerous Srhm?. riregularltlee of the «u#f- tlvn re »lme. Under the pereua- at u *' nc ® such disclosures and resnnr ‘ am * rime moved by a feeling of Sklia' nt . t0w,rd Ruef. Maestrettl k tide with Burns. Night after night WILLIAM J. BURNS, DETECTIVE. J Secret service man who laid bare tho vlciousnest of San Frsnciepo’s graft and brought men high in station to answer to the courts. MAYOR EUGENE SCHMITZ. He was found guilty of extortion and hie application for bail hat Ho wae found guilty of extortion and hia af been refuted, after lengthy trial in San Franciaco. Pope Waverly Electric AUTOMOBILES We have in stock new Oars in Runabouts, Stanhopes and Viotorias. Also one second-hand Pope Waverly Runabout und one Duryea Gasoline Car, bargains. Georgia Vehicle Manufacturing Go. 50 & 52 WEST MITCHELL ST. Also full line summer pleasure vehicles, Runabouts, Sur reys, etc., and custom-made Harness. Convlcta Wyman and Steffens made It poeelble to ally Maestrlettl with the prosecution: Maestrettl gave the tip that brought Roy to terms; Roy wae deed to trap the supervliore, and then the supervisors, with their avelanche of confession, swamped Ruef and made him realise that longer plea of Inno cence would be folly. That wae the main plot, but all the time Detective Burn* was working along other lines to learn the secrete of the men he had laid he would make admit their guilt. ' Women Sleuths Pley Their Part. Handsome women detectives, beauti fully gowned and brilliantly Jeweled, sought the society of city officials. As far as graft society knew they had Just arrived from the East. San Franciaco was new and Interesting to them. They must be shown all the attraction* of the City The French restaurant*, the luniaht cafe* the Bohemian reehrt* of th* h Iong* ocean'boulevard, they had r h ^Ve!lr^mrisT.he^ r ;.««‘w h e™ iw.Mtve and gallant euperrlior*, tritoe* pocket* w * n bulgln * w , uh m * gotten MBs, offered their service* aa “Many a gay evening followed. There Man> a a lutomo blie spin out trough "a’oUlen Gate park and along the edge of the ocean breakers to the attractive gardens and chateaux where unbending social codes do not maintain their restraint. There were also many delightful dinners, when, In the warm flush of wine, confidence* were ex changed, secrets were disclosed, hopes and prospects were unfolded. Flat tered to utter abandon, the supervisors told many a story that was valuable to Burns, when a few hour* later It waa reduced to a cold written report and submitted to the famous detective. There were three of theso women. They were employed before the super visors had confessed as a result of the trap sprung by Roy. In all likelihood what they learned would have enabled Burns to weaken the supervisors had not the main plot developed so suc- essfully. Chauffeur Detective. And that ^braham Ruef never had a chance to escape the clutches of the prosecution Is demonstrated by the revelation that hls chauffeur watt In the employ of Burns. Ruef kept hls boodle In the Western National Bank, and sev eral times he aent hls chauffeur with a cardboard shoe-box Ailed with bank notes, to be placed by the young man In the safe deposit vault. Each time the chauffeur reported to Burns, telling front whom Ruef had received the money, the exact amount deposited, and the numbers end denominations of the bills. In addition to this, a detective under Burns had charge of Supervisor Galla gher’s automobile, while another one of hie assistants was one of the chief decks In the board of public works. Gallagher was a leader In the grafting board of supervisors and was acting mayor while Mayor Schmitz wae In Europe. The sleuth who ran Galla gher's auto learned many things through this connection, every detail being reported to Burns. The clerk In the board of public works secured con siderable Information concerning the hush money paid by people erecting buildings tn violation of city ordl- nances. / Continuing the weaving of hie net. Burns had two of hie detectives pre pare to open a saloon, while another negotiated for the opening of a cheap theater until enough was learned to Implicate the police and building of ficials In crooked work. So when these things ar* known, peo ple wonder that the fifteen supervisors did not confess sooner and marvel at the fact that Boss Reuf kept up Me ' ont of Innocence *o long. What Burns Hat Done. The story that Detactlve Burn* hat unearthed and put together piece by j piece, confession by contusion, now 1 causes millionaires and men of social standing to. see prison doora yawning to receive them. Supervisors have confessed that bribes to the extent of millions of dollars have been paid by the street railway company, the gas company, two telephone companies, a real estate company and the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Burns' story complete will makeauch men face prosecution as Patrick Cal houn and Thornwell Mullally, the presi dent and hls assistant of the United Railroads. It will bring to trial Henry T. Scott, president of tho Pacific Tele phone and Telegraph Company; John A. Britton, president of the California Gas and Electric Corporation; William F. Herrin, chief counsel of the Southern Pacific, and many others. Men who before Detective Burns was on the Job felt secure and powerful with their wealth and political power, are now quaking. Many have begged chances to confess and escape a possi ble term in the pen. Millionaires and men of standing aro terror-stricken and are banding together to fight what sqftns certain defeat. Proud namei names Identified with San Francisco’s jvealth and industrial progress—have been dragged through the quagmire of graft and scandal. And many of them are In fear and trembling lest It will not end thus, but will mean an Ignominious ending In the stripes of a penitentiary convict. Cursed by the name of Burns, might they well say, while thoae who have suffered and are shocked by Detective Burn*’ exposure, will call him blessed. PERFECT PROTECTION POLICY Insures Against Any Sickness, 6 Months Any Accident, 24 Months Accidental Death NORTH AMERICAN ACCIDENT INSURANCE CO. 6Z3 Candler Building. ’Phone 5330. AGENTS WANTED. INDEPENDENT ICE CO., 349 WHITEHALL STREET Manufacturers of Pure Dlctllled Water Ice. Prompt deliveries made In the city. -Carloads shipped to country points. Bell phone 536, West, Atlanta phone 4343, E. B. HARVEY, Manager. Xl^N' Low Rates to Summer Resorts SOLID VESTIBULED TRAIN ELEGANT PULLMAN SLEEPING CARS To Cincinnati and Louisville GRA^D NEXT WEEK Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday Fourth Successful Week of tho GEO. FAWCETT CO. Presenting Clyde Fitch’s Great Comedy of the Golden West, THE COWBOY $8 LADY ALL SPECIAL SCENERY—EVERY DETAIL CARRIED OUT AS IN A METROPOLITAN PRODUCTION. SUMMER PRICES—Night, 25c to 50c; Matinee, 25o and 35c. CASINO NEXT WEEK Maiinees: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 1 Stephens and Linton Present the Merry Musical Mix-Up, MY WIFE’S FAMILY LAUGHTER, MU8IC, DANCING, SPECIALTIES. TWO HOURS I SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. Casino Prices—Sale during the day at Bijou. CHICAGO FEARS T1BIG STRIKES Telegraphers and Teamsters Will Tie Things Up in Windy City. Chicago, June 15.—Hope of averting ji strike of packing houae teamster* prac tically vanlahed yesterday. At the same time It was given out at tho city hell that If the atrlke la called as expected there shell be no rioting In the street!. The situation among the telegraphers also grows acute. A atrlke la expected, and If ono occur* Chicago will bo the first city affected. The executive com- mltteo of the union held a meeting in New York and decided that If a strike Is ordered only the men at Important centers shall be called out. operators’In smaller towns being left at their keys. FUNERAL DIRECTORS TO MEET TUESDAY The Georgia Funeral Directors Aeeo- clatlon will meqt Tuesday morning at the New Kimball for ttyslr sixth an nual convention. The convention will be called to order by Jesse B. Hart, of Macon. The funeral men will remain In ses sion until noon Thursday when they will be treated to a Georgia barbecue by the traveling men. This meeting is expected to bo one of the largest in the history of the aseo- elation. SCHOOL BOOKS BOUGHT SECOND HAND books. We buy In any quantities. Call at storo, mall list or phone Bell 1822. Ask for Mr. Gavan. SOUTHERN BOOK CONCERN, 71 Whitehall St. H. PHILLIPS TO DON EPISCOPAL SURPLICE On Sunday morning at the morning service at St. Philips cathedral, Bish op C. K. Nelson will confer priesthood upon Henry Phillips, one of the beet known young churchmen In Atlanta. Dean C. T. Pise, of the cathedral, will present the candidate, and the sermon will bo delivered by Right Rev.'Albion 7. Knight, bishop of Cuba. Mr. Phillips waa made a deacon In the Episcopal churqh lost November. He has taken a apodal course of training the University of the South, and In II qualified to discharge the duties of the position which he ha* chosen ton hla life’s work. DERELICT DE8TROYER FOR THE GOVERNMENT. Washington, June 16.—The treasury department will accept -the bid of the Newport News Ship Building Company for the construction of an Innovation In seagoing vessels—a derelict destroyer. It will be 20t.feet long, with a beam of 24 feet, have u displacement of 1,480 tone, cost 1245,000 and must be completed by June, ISO*. The vessel will likely bo stationed at New York, and will be un der contract'of the revenue cutter serv ice. MORPHINE—OPIUM and all narcotic habits cured at your homo Painlessly and Permanently (for $10.00) by an entirely new method. “No Cure—No Pay.” Write today for details. Dr. G. PATTERSON, 82 Cen- tral Place, Atlanta, Georgia. Have You Had Your Printing returned with a little sticker at tached, asking you to uad this la bel? OFFICES USING THIS LABEL: Press Huddleston Printing Co.. 21 8. Forsyth Syl Lester & Co 2% N. Uroad f. P, Bisson 9 N. Forsyth N. C. Tompkins 16 W. Alabama Telegram Pub. Co 66 Central Ave. Franklin-Turner Co 66-71 Ivy St. Index Printing Co....91 Central Ave. Lnllntte Printing Co 20 S. Rroad John Thomason Co..,...6K 8. Broad III otter Printing Co...... 33-40 Walton Converge k Wing.. 104 Edjrewood Kirkpatrick k Co 21% 8. Forsyth Atlanta Label Co.....64 Madison Ave. Georgia Deutsche Zcltung 21 Grant Bldg. If so, patronize the above offices and you will please 30,000 Union People In Atlanta. Atlanta Typographical Union, 520 Candler Building P. O. Box 266 Atlanta Phone 873 VGKAND Tonight—Matinee Saturday. GEO. FAWCETT COMPANY Presenting Belasco A De MUle'e Com edy, THE CHARITY BALL. Night, 25c to 50c. Matinee, 25c and 86c. Next Week; "COW BOY and the LADY.” the BIJOU KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS MINSTRELS FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH„ One performance only. Barrel of fun and music. SALE OPENS WEDNESDAY. Regular Bijou Prices. FACULTY IS ELECTfeD’ FOR MIDDLE GA. INSTITUTE, Special to The Georgian. Concord, Go., June 14.—The board of trustees of the Middle Georgia Insti tute, located here, has elected teachers for the term beginning next September. The following were etioan: E. M. Mar tin, of Villa Rico, principal; Mrs. O. Brown, of Concord, for the Interme diate department, and Miss Buena Vista Brook, of Hoganavllle, for the primary department. Miss Laura Strickland and Miss Nellie Stanford, of Concord, were elected fot- the depart ’ moots of music and elocution. Cure For Rheumatism GRIFFITH’S Compound Mixture ol Qualac, Sttlllngla, Eto. tying the Blood and Regulat ing the Uver and Kidneys,, Internal Remedy Relief from P*ln •fter flret or eecond Dose. Acts by Purl- The "Old Reliable* _ RHEUMATISM, NEURALGIA, SCIAT ICA, GOUT and LUMBAGO. Note—Th|* Bptelflo Remedy hae been ad* vertleed tn the Medical Journals and used In private practice for over 20 year* and we have ample proof to Justify us In mak* Ins the aeeertlon that thla preparation will relieve or oure IS per cent of the case* in* dlcated. Doe* Not DUtarb the Stomach, Afford* Quiet Sleep and Creates n Good Appetlt* Atlanta, Go., DUtrtbatlng Depot: JACOBS’ PHARMACY CO* Wholesale Druggist*. And for eale by Retail Drugglste generally, Send for Free Descriptive Circular te Griffith Rheutnatlo Cure Co., tele mnfg., «7 Third Ave.. cor. 11th fie. New York. N. t CASINO Tonight—aMtince Saturday. Lincoln J. Carter's Scenic Romance DOWN MOBILE. Elaborate Stage Settings. A capa ble company of players. Advance sale at Bijou Box Office. Next Week: “MY WIFE'S FAMILY." THE HOME OF VAUDEVILLE. No. 77 Peachtree Street. Matinees 3 and 4 p. m. Night 7:30 to 11 • Next Week’8 Program. George Johnson Gladys, Songs and Dances, Lewis and Lessinger, In Novel Act. Tommy Wilks, ' Illustrated Songs. William Thomas, Sweet Singer in Costume. WHITE - CITY Atlanta's Newest and Largest Amuse ment Park. TWO CONCERT8 DAILY By Wedemeyer’a Band. VAUDEVILLE 2:30 and 4:00 in Af ternoon: 7 and 9 at Night. St Nicholas Auditorium PONCE DE LEON PARK > SKATING DAILY 8 P. MUSIC EVERY SESSION. CITY TAX NOTICE. Books are now open for he payment af 2d. in stallment of city tax. E. T. PAYNE, City Tax Collector.