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Newspaper
Washington Post
Location
Washington, Washington Dc, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1908
Page
14
Witnesses testify to bribe-backed sales from $5 to $500 as detectives trace a $45,000 city filtration project payoff and $17,500 bank deposits. Bank examiner links city officials to bribery schemes and councilmen allegedly paid for plant contracts, with multiple arrests and a widening scandal.
Reports allege councilmen received up to 9101,000 with some percent shares in a railroad ordinance scheme. Former councilman W A Martin, now jailed for conspiracy, may be pardoned next April with claims of a $31,000 bank account. Witnesses describe a web of payments, threats, and a feared town hall influence peddling amid pending court actions and subpoenas.
President elect Taft to host first full family gathering since June nomination. Miss Helen Taft joins family from Bryn Mawr after visiting Savannah. A planned trolley trip to Athens may be postponed due to travel delays. Irish agriculture head Sir Horace Plunkett meets Taft to discuss natural resources and Roosevelt’s conservation commission.
New York December 2 E Harriman's secretary Albert C Wells denied rumors of a serious illness after Harriman stayed at home following a slight attack. In nearby Evington a fire destroyed the Plat Creek Grist Mill three miles away, operated by C W Minn, believed incendiary, with $1000 loss and no insurance. Matinee Prices at the Columbia Theater listed 2c to 100 for Bird Wh"natrels with George Evans.
As the prosecution rests, a June letter from Thornton Hains to Julien Ripley is admitted to show premeditation in the killing of William Annis by Capt Peter Hains. Witnesses testify to Hains remarks about going to hell to kill again and to a revolver holster found on Jane Hains. The defense gains access to implications about Mrs Hains and the slain man, while the trial swerves through a tangle of statements and alibis.
Bay Ridge reports reveal Tanning last lived there in October before moving to Sweden with his wife and children to escape notoriety from the Hais case. Prosecution eyes Mrs Claudia Hains on the stand as the trial nears end. The Waters-Pierce case expands to a wider oil trust network with a looming multimillion fine and coordinated price fixing across Indiana and Republic firms.
Missouri Supreme Court ousts Standhard On Company Indiana, Republican Company of Ohio, and Waters-Pierce Company of Missouri for conspiring to monopolize oil sales. All three faces 30,000 fines. Waters-Pierce may continue if it shows by March 11 steps to operate independently and pay the judgment. The ruling, unanimous seven-judge decision, marks a sweeping end to illegal commercial combinations in the state and echoes the U S tobacco trust case decision.
Mrs Frank Bradley awoke to a thief in her library who fled through a window. She chased him in pajamas and grabbed his hair, holding on as he escaped. The attacker left a bloody trail of red hair in the night. A purse containing $158 was reported stolen.
Copenhagen December 23 The Roedkilde cathedral, longtime royal burial site, was looted last night. Burglars carried away numerous wreaths, ornaments, and shields of gold and silver. Tombs of King Christian and Queen Louise were stripped of valuable memorials sent by European crowned heads and Danish cities.
G P Taft rejects reports of an alliance with Senator Dick and affirms no agreement with him while urging tariff revision and navy expansion. Taft defends caucus as Republicanism and cites risks to the GOP if absent. Burton denies attacks on Herrick. reports of threats are unfounded. Port Want Ada classified note ends.
William J Buchanan travels to Caracas aboard the battleship North Carolina as a special commissioner to report to the State Department. He aims to assess the Gomez administration and seek a peaceful solution to international questions while possible naval presence signals a preference for stability and orderly relations with Venezuela.
The article honors James Buchanan, noting his roles as American minister to Argentina under Cleveland, his success in securing a reciprocity treaty with Argentina, and his service on commissions resolving Central and South American issues. It highlights his influence in Panama, Colombia, and the Colombia Panama debt crisis, and his late mission to Colombia seeking settlement amid the Panama separation.
Oakland man Deep-Peter Claudianes was found guilty of dynamiting the home of former Supervisor James L Gallagher’s star witness in San Francisco bribery cases. He received life imprisonment after the jury deliberated eight minutes, waived appeal, and was sent to San Quentin.
Belgrade December 23 Serbian Women’s League replies to President elect Taft sending sympathy and support for Servian women’s movement toward national ideals. Taft and wife express deepest sympathy and interest in the Servian cause.
Rome December 2 The Pope today received Bishop Richard Scanell of Omala in private audience. All the customary Christmas and New Year greetings receptions have been suspended this year. Physicians advise the Pope to avoid unnecessary fatigue.
Foreign Minister Van Swinderen announced to parliament that Venezuela revoked the May 14 transshipment decree and ended the blockade. The move follows Dutch concerns and permits provisional reshipment of goods through Willemstad as talks continue. Acting Venezuelan President Gomez remains untroubled by reports of instability.
Foreign Minister De Lima announces a new cabinet with Dr W De Pereira de Lima as president and foreign affairs minister. Other posts include Cabral justice, Senhor Anthero finance, Gen Nunes war, Admiral Carto marine, and Senhor Featas public works. The prior cabinet resigned after Regenerator Party opposition.
Justice Wright of the district supreme court delivers a scathing arraignment calling the accused’s behavior vulgar indignity. He argues no constitutional right to speak or print exists, insisting fundamental law only constrains Congress and that citizens must obey court mandates even amid error.
Historical opinions on free speech from Justice Wright and Samuel Gompers discuss whether speech should be regulated by tribunals or left to state regulation. They emphasize that Congress cannot remove free speech rights for federal matters and that press and speech may include unpopular or disagreeable views, with judges later determining limits to prevent harm.
The court condemned Samuel Gompers to a year in prison with Mitchell and Morrison also facing heavy sentences. Justice Wright delivered a scathing two hour reading, denouncing the defendants while asserting the law must be allowed to stand. Local labor leaders and family members attended as the ruling drew tears and dramatic reactions.
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