Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1909 — SPRECKELS IS A WITNESS [ARTICLE]

SPRECKELS IS A WITNESS

Gave SIOO,OOO to Prosecute Alleged Grafters In Ban Francisco. San Francisco, Cal., May 18.—Rudolph Spreckels, the banker, who contributed SIOO,OOO to prosecute an inquiry into municipal conditions, was a witnesc in the bribery trial of Patrick Calhoun. Spreckels testified that he first came into conflict with the United Railroads in 1905 when he learned of a proposal to substitute the overhead trolley for the cable on various lines. He stated that he actively opposed this program. Calhoun is charged with bribing supervisors to obtain permission to place trolley poles and wires.