The five restaurant keepers were asked at the Schmitz trial whether they had employed Ruef because he was a lawyer or because of his recognized power as political boss. They testified as follows:
A. B. Blanco of the “New Poodle Dog”—“Well, being a political boss we thought he had influence enough to get our licenses.”
N. M. Adler, of the “Bay State”—“Well, the way I took it, Mr. Ruef is a boss. He had an influence over the commission. He was the only man who could help us.” On cross-examination: “I understood that if I did not employ Ruef I would not get my license. I understood that Mr. Ruef was the only man who could get my license.”
Michel Debret of “Marchand’s”—“Well, I agreed to (pay the money to Ruef) because having consulted we saw we had no way to get out of it unless we paid Ruef, as he was a political boss, to protect ourselves.” “Because we thought—we thought if we didn’t pay the money we would be treated like Tortoni’s, we would be closed; we had no way to get out of it.” “I believed that Ruef and the Mayor controlled the Police Commissioners.”
Joe Malfanti of “Delmonico’s”—“I did not pay this $1175 for fun; I had to save my license. I had about $400,000 invested there. I never figured on what effect it would have upon my business if I did not get a license. If it was for myself alone I would close the place, but I figured on my partners, what they had paid. They had a lease for five years and could not go through with it and I did it as a favor. If I was alone I would close. I would not make any fight. Numerous friends advised me to see Ruef.” “I went to Ruef—Ruef was the man that controlled the administration—Ruef was the one that could do the thing. His relation with the Mayor was so he could do what he pleased.”
Jean Loupy was asked by Heney: “Did you go to him (Ruef) because he was a lawyer or because he was a political boss?” “Because he was a political boss,” replied Loupy.
Ruef would not take a check, neither would he accept gold—he insisted upon having currency—neither would he give a receipt. The money was taken to him by Pierre Priet, a French-restaurant keeper. Regarding the transfer of the money, Joe Malfanti, at the Schmitz trial, gave the following testimony:
“Mr. Heney—Q. What did he say you were to get for the five thousand dollars, Priet? A. Yes.