After the massive earthquake of 1906 , the Home Telephone Company contributed $ 75,000 to a relief fund for the city , but asked that it be held until their franchise was approved . It was later revealed that the city 's supervisors had received payoffs through Ruef from both the Home Telephone Company and Pacific States Telephone Co . Home Telephone paid 10 supervisors $ 3,500 each and seven supervisors $ 6,000 each ( about $ to $ in ) . Pacific States Telephone Co. paid 10 supervisors $ 5,000 each ( $ today ) . After the graft prosecutions , E.F. Pillsbury , General Counsel for the telephone company , revealed that he had never heard of Ruef 's employment , and would have objected to Ruef receiving compensation greater than his own $ 1,000 per month
massive earthquake of 1906
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Pacific Bell