The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 5, 1901, Page 1

Tall, VOLUME LXXXIX—NO. 126. SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1901.° SULLIVAN BEFORE GRAND JURY ADMITS HAVING FORGED NAMES OF ALL JUDGES SAVE CONLAN Gives Way to Tears When Pressed by Members of Inquisitorial Body. City Officials Unable to Determine Upon What Course to Pursue Regarding Bail Money Contained in the Treasury e S the detalls regardjng the pecu- lar transactions relating to the handling of bail and fine | was deposited to insure the release of moneys in the warrant ‘and bond cierk's office, the Police Courts and the city treasur¥ | are dieclosed the situation becomes com- plicated. None is there except Dan Sulilvan, who 15 in jafl, who will aseume responsibility for any of these irregularities. Sullivan ®amits almost every charge brought | forged the names of the other Judges, but against him, despite the fact that his ad- missions mean a long term in the penften- tiary. He has faced the forger's fate be- fore, and from experience knows what it means to “squezl.” This plan saved him onmce before. If he has a similar fit of tortured conscience some one in high autbority may feel shaky. Dan Sullivan, who realizes what is before him, is de- pended upon by the police to expose the ‘workinge of those who were concerned in these peculiar monetary transactions at- tendant upon the payment and release of ball money and the c tion of fines in the Police Courts. Developments came thick and fast dur- ing yesterday. As the investigating probe went deeper it was developed that suc- cesstul assaults had beer made upon the city treasury and that orders had been cashed there by Deputy Treasurer Rels the signatures to which the veriest tyro in the banking business would have recognized as forgeries. Treasurer Brooks recogniges his anomalous position in the matter and 1s sparring for time in wkich to Jeain just how much money he will have to vay on the bogus orders that Deputy Reis has cashed. Reis Pays Out Kemppe’s Bail Mdney. One of these orders, on which Sullivan obtained 40 and which was paid by Rels, was in the case of Isaac Kemppe Jr., charged with obtalning goods by faise jretenses. The case is in Judge Mogan's court snd etill pending, yet on March 18 the mcney was pald out by Reis on &n crder purporting to have been signed by Police Judge Mogan, and was drawn on thet date by Sulliven, who signed for the amount. The discovery wgs made by ‘s attorney when he attemjpted to bonds in lieu of the money de- Reis was duly shocked wien the posited. signature was pronounced a forgery by Expert Kytka. Now Treasurer Brooks Is guessing how many more of these bogus orders Lave been cashed by his careless paying T, Another crooked transaction was that in which Attorney Arthur Mack and three bunko steerers figured, which re- #ulted In 1he addition of $600 more to the, wccount against Sulllvan and his em- player, Warrant and Bond Clerk Peery. Sulliven admits having on March 2 drawn out on two orders $600 in ball money de- posited by A. Mack. This money is sup- posed to have been depositéd by two dif- —_— — ferent persons, . although only the name of “A. Mack” appears on both orders. It { Frank " Marshall, 'J. D. Brooks and B. | Albin. The case was assigned to Depart- | over which Judge Conlan pre- | ment 2, | sides. Sulltvan admits that he forged the name of Clerk Rice to the order for the | release of the money, but claims that the | signature of Judge Conlan Is genuine. ! "*I'don’t deny,” sald Suyllivan, “that I | all those of ‘Judge Conian are genuine. | Everybody around the hall knows how I | got them. Shove in a lot of orders or get | them signed in blank—it aidn’t matfer; I | got them, but the other Judges were not | o easv.” -, | “On:top of Sullivan's statement comes | another from’ Chiet Deputy Cotnty Clerk ; Goddard in. refereiice to “San Jose” | Charlle. This was the case in which Dis- { trict Attornéy Byington was hauled’dver | the coals by the Grand Jury for:failing to ; prepare an indictment against the Chinese on a-charge of perjury. “San Jose” |Chlrllo is one of the best known lottery mantpulators in the Chinese quarter. After his Indictment and arrest “‘San Jose” Charlie was held in $2000 cash bail, deposited with Goddard as the represent- ative of County Clerk Deane. Some few days afterward Sulllvan went to Goddard, 50 the latter says, and told him that he had an order for the release of the money. “When Sullivan came to me,” sald God- | dard yesterday, “I told hinr to come back about 3:30 o'clock. In the meantime. I went to Judge Dunne, in whose court the case was pending, and told him what Sullivan said. Sullivan had explained to me that he came from the District At- torney’s office and was authorized to draw down the money on Judge Conlan's signature. He returned at the appointed hour with a duly signed order, but I would not give him the regular order for the withdrawal of the money, . which is required in this office, and which, after recelving the offictal seal ‘and the order of the Judge, fs issued in duplicate. Sul- livan apparently saw that he was up against it and did not make any further i attempts to collect the money.” Peery Turns in $250 More. Another peculiar transdction, in which Warrant and Bond Clerk Peery and a ilawyer named Pistolesl figure, was brought to light during the day. On January 28 G. Tempora was arrest- ed and 320 bail was deposited with Peery to secure the prisoner's release. Plsto- lesi, it is sald, represented that the charge against Tempora grew out oi mat- rimonial disturbances, and that he would heve the bail reduced. Peery obiigingly helé the money for some time, returning to Pistoles| $100 of the amount, which was acknowledged on the back of the re- ceipt. The case was assigned to Judge m-mwmmur.rmm‘ SULLIVAN, THE PENMAN, WEEPS BEFORE THE GRAND JURY AS° HE RECITES HIS STORY. - was instructed, or requested, not to sign un- an order {gr. the roturn of the 0 Bo heart frour Toury. Aftee Howlng the money for sixty-six days Peery late yesterday. afternoon turned in the 3250 to the treasury, claiming that the money, less the $100 pald to Pistolesl, had been in his safe all that time. “I do this frequently,” sald Peery. “I1¢ at night anybody comes info the office {and the boys know t(hem they take a check. I hojd this and when the case is | dismissed turn it -back to them, taking their order on the treasury in exchange and turning it over as so much cash. I | | bave a lot of such checks and always considerable money in my safe at all | times. Pistolesi owes me that hundred which T had to make good out of my pocket to-day. I could have held it longer, | but T thought it better to get it off my mind.” The L. F. Garnler order is another one that is giving a whole lot of trouble. The Garnler case is pending in Judge Fritz's court and the genuineness of the signature | to the ball money order was questioned | Expert Kytka has filed ‘he following re- port concerning it with Captain of Detect- | tves Seymour: Expert Submits Report. This morning 1 learned that Judge A. J. Fritz made a statement that the signature In | the L. F. Garnier vrder was made by him and delivered to Waiter Gallagher on February 15, 1901.. The record of bail: shows under date of January 25, 191, that “L. F. Garnler was charged with obtaining money by faise pre- tenses, bail deposited by W. J. Gallagher, at- torney at law, $250. Ordered into custody Feb- ruary 14, 191 Bail returned February 15, 101, Book aigned by Attorney W. Gallagher.' | The forged order in the City Treasury shows that the L. F. Garnler charged with obtain- ing money by false pretenses, the amount of 3%0 was drawn out by D.“J. Sulllvan on Feb- ruaty 5,101, marked also with rubber stamp, “Paj@ February 6, 191" On this order the names of Judge A. J. Fritz and Clerk J. J. Groom are forgeries, as reported originally. Perhaps _ Attorney W. Gallagher can en- lighten Judge Fritz on what date he received the money from Dan Sulltvan. Respectfully, KYTKA. County Clerk Deane sent down his chief deputy, Goddard, to relieve Groom of his duties in Judge Frite’s department. Later Ambrose Watson, now clerk in Judgs Hunt's department of the Superior Court, was sent to relleve Clerk Fenton of the department presided over by. Judge Ca- baniss, while the latter testified before the Grand Jury. It is currently reported that ‘Watson will succeed Groom as Polico Court clerk, & position which he has heretofore filled. Groom will be assigned to clerical work In another direction, where he will have no chance to forget such little matters as payment of $50 fines and others of lesser nmounts. A general shake-ug of the clerks is looked for and they arevoverhauling their books with & view toward having them In good shape All are awaiting the determination and re- part of the Grand Jury with considerable anxiety. Ballivan Before Grand Jury. The session of that body yesterday afternoon was productive of many Inter- esting and sensational developments. The entire afternoon was devoted to the in- wvestigation ‘of the forgeries which were executed in the Bond and Warrant Clerk’s office. Bulllvan, at whose door the charge of numerous forgeries is lald, occupled th® stand as the principal witness of the day. In his ton!m,py ‘he acknowledged having forged the names of Mogan, Frits and Cabaniss to orders releasing bail, but emphatically denfed that he had ever forged the signature of J This, he sald, mmw*..;:: ready signed by him, He was questioned Additional developments yesterday in the case of the self-confessed forger of bail money orders showed that. Dan J. Sullivan had secured on March 18 $500 on a forged order for money belonging to Isaac Kemppe. About the same time he attempted to se- cure on an order bearing the name of Judge Conlan $2000 deposited by ‘“San Jose Char-* lie” with County Clerk Deane * to insure his appearance to answer to an indictment for perjury. Sullivan does not deny his connection with either transaction. After retaining $250 bail money for more than ‘two months Warrant and Bond Clerk Peery deposited the amount in the city treasury yesterday afternoon, explain- ing that he had paid out $100 of the amount to a law- yer named Pistolesi shortly after the money was placed in his hands and that this money had not yet been returned. The Grand Jury alse tock a hand in the matter, examin- ing the Police Judges and their clerks without @liciting any new information. Sulli- van was also on the stand and was moved to tears as he re- cited how he had duped his friends and employers. His proved peculations to date amount to more than $1000, and the experts have only commenced. Clerk Groom has been re- moved to andther department by County Clerk Deane and will be succeeded by Ambrose ‘Watson. 3 | | g 1 B b e fim‘i one of his inquisitors as to why he com- mitted the forgeries, kno' as he aid that his act was felonious and that sooner or later he was sure to be detected, he broke down and wept bitterly. His grief lasted several minutes, and during the whole examination his manner plainly in- dicated that he keenly felt his position. Evans’ Name Forged, Too. The first witness examined at the be- ginning o fthe session was Kytka, the writing expert. He: gave expert testi- mony, identifying the signatures on the forged order for the release of ball as the work of Sullivan. After Kytka, Judge Mogan, Judge Fritz, F. R. Conway, a clerk In Mogan's court; Captain Seymour, J. J. Groom and J. F. Evans were examined. 5 Evans, who Is the proprietor of a saloon on Eddy street, gave Important testimony. He was often called upon to put up bail for frequenters of his saloon who get into trouble. After thé trials were con- cluded, Sullivan had claimed it had been his custom not to call personally for the bail money, but to allow Sullivan to get it for him. In order to do this it was necessary for Sullivan to use Evans' sig- nature. This, he testified, Kv per- mitted him to do, allowing him in each Instance a small commission. Evans, when on the stand yesterday, denfed that he had permitted Sullivan to use his sig- nature, and when shown some of the orders signed by Sullivan, he stated that they had been signed without his knowl- edge. Nothing that has not already been pub- lished was elicited from the other wit- nesses. Judge Conlan denies that he issued an order for the release of the money de- posited By San Jose Chanlle, or that he accepted any bonds. These were flled later by ex-Governor Budd and Eugene Best, and accepted by Judge Carroll Cook, who ordered the money returned to the Chinese, . Treasurer Brooks Takes a Hand. Early in the morning Treasurer Brooks went down to the Hall of Justice to try to straighten out the tangle. He did not know whether he would honor the orders of the Police, Judges or not. He saw Judges Conlan and Cabaniss and up to the hour of closing had not fully made up his mind what to do, The Police Judges are also at sea on the question of drawing out bail money. They bad a conference with County Clerk Deane. The latter ardered all the books furnished by the warrant and bond clerk returned to him and cleared his office of a. large measure of responsibility. Judge Cabaniss signed a number of orders on the treasury, all of which, except one or two disputed ones, were promptiy pald. Sullivan appeared before Judge Cabaniss on the charge of forgery preferred against him by J. Evans, in the case of Klla lease of the ball money, 328, on which the charge entered was vagrancy, and the signature on. thg back ‘of ‘which, “J; Evans,” was admittéd by Sullivan to be a. forgery, that the charge was based, Atter eing instructed, Attorney W. B. Barnes, who represented the. prisoner, and obfained & continuance of - Judge Cabeniss stated that be & witriess in_the prospective @gainat Sullivan -in which. he would - g peace, It was on an ordep for the re-|. PRICE F1VE CENTS. IRREGULARITIES IN PURCHASE OF THIRTEEN SMALL GUNBOATS FROM THE SPANISH IN PHILIPPINES General Otis Doubles His Price for the Boats and Reports That the Agent Taking Them to Manila Is Attacked by Special Dispatch to The Call. ALL BUREAU, 406 G STREET, @ N. W., WASHINGTON, April 4.— Following close upon revelations concerning frauds fn the commis- sary department in Manila comes an allegation that there were irregulari- ties in the purchase of thirteen smaif'gun- boats which were transferred from the Spanish Government to the military editor of an export journal, who spent two years in the Phillppir s, part of the time in the employ of the Government. There s no record whatever in the War Depart- ment of this transaction except what is contained In the official report of Major General Otis for the fiscal year of 1899, and this tends to confirm what Carey charges. The purchase was made by Gen- eral Otis without consultation with the department, and the purchase money was paid out of the insular funds, so that the bills were not passed upon by the account- ing officers of the treasury here. In his report General Otis says that in March the Spanish authorities advertised for public sale at the naval station of Isa- bella, Basilan Island, thirteen of their gunboats, which had been formerly used on the island coasts. He says these boats were purchased by a syndicate composed of private individuals, with the under- standing that it would dellver them to the United States authorities in the harbor of Manila. General Oti: ys that while the agent of the syndicate was waliting for a war vessel to convoy his mosquito fleet to Manila he was attacked by Mindanao in- surgents, who captured nearly one-half ot his ordnance. . The gunboats and what re’ malned of the ordnance were convoyed to Manila by the navy and were turned over to the army. Out of the Civil Funds. General Otis says nothing whateyer about the amount pald for these vessels, simply stating that payment was made out of the civil funds of the Philippines. A little more light is thrown on this transaction by the report of Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Pope, at that time chiet quartermaster in the Philippines, who says: ‘‘As there were thirteen small Span- ish gunboats for sale and lable to get into the hands of the insurgents, the de- partment commander directed me to put in a bld of $170,000 (Mexican) for the same, which, however, proved too low, but_He afterward directed the purchase of n.m h gunboats at $315,000 (Mexican), whic! done out of the pubMc civil funds.” No explanation is made of the reasons which led General Otis to more than double his offer after the gunboats fell Into the hands .of private persons, but some one made a large profit, Carey uoted as having sald that Gen- eral Otis gave Carman valuable conces- sions, which ylelded large sums, and that other Government contractsrs had thelr goods carried in Government vessels and landed free of duty, while certain con- tractors had to be fayored by being given charged with forging the signature of Ca- The delay was acceptable \to both sides and a further continuance will probably be granted to~morrow. x M‘.flhn his responaibility ceases. ‘had & lengthy/conversation with _the strict Attorney, who has taken the mat: under advisement. Peery says if baniss to an order for the release of $1640. | valise that Sullivan carried 4 Insurgents and Half of the Ordnance Mysteriously Taken a advance tips which would enable them to be the only persons in a position to’ fur- nish suppMes within the time limit fixed by the advertisements for proposals. Makes a Sweeping Denial. General Charles Bird of the quarter- master general's department, who is in charge of transports, made ' a sweeping denial of these. allegations 13- day. He said the department was.par- ticularly careful not to allow goods to be carried for contractors om Governmen® vessels and not to allow . commercial s.ipments of any kind to be made. on these vessels under amy circumstances. He sald it would not only be ugfair to contractars to give lhl-/ndvn age iIr shipments, but it would be unjust to the steamship lines, which, he said, watched very closely td see that no commercial shipments were made on transports. There is much uncertainty at the War Department as to the character of the recently discovered commissary frauds which resulted in several arrests. Gen- eral MacArthur's dispatch speaks of “sales.” This, it is thought in the de partment, may refer to the reselling of : supplies which the officers or men may| have bought from colmissary. stores | certificates that they were for use. This would be contrary to uons and would be punishable. will be known as to the exact of the frauds until more detailed have been recelved. haor General Otis Explains. . CHICAGO, Abril 4>-Major General O denied to-night any knowledge of ir laritles connected with the the Spanish gunboats in.the “I bought those boats oul X said, ‘‘but as to the number or pald for them I do not recollect. the Spanish Government offered the b for saie I ordered the unn-# m..mmmm:y was below the minimum price on. thes spelieieteiniieiniiei structions from Captain his trip to Colfax. No. 303, and & palr of b ment will be pr for A week or so, fled from his d terday that | S A ‘fop 'aeikmamet the price upon n 3 offer was also made by & syndicate, I purchased thy boats- from the syndicate. | was_set by a board who performed. = { : kw es: bought three ves- i - (and; obtained permission to turn them - over to the navy. They have since proved l=olll’!ltv-ln-lnt_h coasting services | and pald fér themselves" again. T am satisfled boats we secured at Xt