CRIME IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8291, 20 November 1906, Page 5

CRIME IN SAN FRANCISCO.

A MORAL AWAKENING. By Telegraph— Press Association. (Per Mail Steamer at Auckland). [SAN PRANCISOO/Oot.^S. San Fraucisoo continues to improve, periods- of alternate depression and undue elation having given plaoe to a steady, patient determination to rebuild and improve the ulty. Curiously enough, it appears, afier all, that - the scourge which visited the oity was to herald a moral awakening—at least, to some extent. Grime has been rampant during tbejpast two months. Citizens are unsafe in their own shops, as well asjon the streets in daylight. It appears that Thugs have flocked to the oity on aoaount of the laxity of polioe supervision. The moral tone, of the whole community has been lowered by the popular belief in official corruption in the municipality. A number of citizens of the b"st class have organised for purification and protection. Mr Franois J. Heney, attorney, who distinguished himself in the service of the Federal Government in the Oregon land frauds and other important oases, has been engaged to assist the district attorney, Mr Langdon, in the prosecution of official criminals. Mr Heney has engaged the services of Mr Wm. J. Burns, who has resigned from the United Stateß secret servioe to take up work here. The public is contldent that convictions will at last take the place of newspaper attacks. Messrs Heney and Burns hare bean gathering evidence for a year. It ib suspectei that this may have had some influence in inducing the Mayor, Mr Sohmitz, to go abroad. JJThe public wus greatly astonished when a few weeks ago the Mayor announced that be would travel in searoh of much-needed rest, and to learn how "municipal affairs in tne European communities were managed. Now Jhe presence of the Mayor is urgently demanded here, and may be jailed for in a way whioh cannot bo denied.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,