A BRIBER PHOTOGRAPHED.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12464, 13 February 1909, Page 1

A BRIBER PHOTOGRAPHED.

■ '* ' " ,A clever ruse, it is declared, led to the detection of the councillors whoso alleged corrupt operations in Pittsburg are the topic of the hour. A contractor bidding for the work of paving Fourth Avenue was informed, it was stated, that the Finance Committee would refuse to ratify the contract unless £2000 were paid to its members.- The Mayor, Mr Guthrie, learning of this, arranged for a detective to appear as a partner of the "contractor. Tho detective received a noto__sa___. ing: "Christmas is coming boys. Wo need money. Bring it." He renlied: "All right, como to the Fort Pitt Hotel, and I'll pay you." The leader of the corrupt councillors, it is declared, then anpeared.and £2000 in notes wore handed to him. While he was counting them a flashlight was exploded, and he was photographed, a revolver being held to his head at the same timeMr Guthrie,' the story proceeds, sent the photograph tp Mr Roosevelt, who, after: nlacing it in tho archives of the" White House, encouraged the Mayor to proceed ruthlessly with the cleansing of the city of corruption. ' .' . Sis councillors, apart from those arrested, have fled frbnHhe city. The prisoners were arraigned, and evidence was given -to the fact that the German National Bank paid the members of the Finance Committee £4000 for the privilege of receiving the. municipal deposits. This privilege was granted, though other/banks wore ready to pay a higher percentage on^he municipal moneys.