The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-07
SITTING THE RUM0RS.
TINE rsyrsTIGxTIsG COMMITTEE
COMMENCE WORK IN EARNEST.
Mr.. Beivin and MIR. Werner Both on the
witness stand, but Thor Testimony
Differs Materially.

,or.rca % the recent awarding OF CIT
VAN contracts. held last evening In tn
coynen Chamber. the following member
OF the committee were present: Messrs
Man, chairman. Boy<in. Murphy. Gut
gon. Vaughan. Reeve. White. Gum. Allen
Also City Attorney Meredith, several OF
the rnennbers OF the Grounds and Build
ings Committee. Messrs. Preston Belvin
Everett waddey bidders for the recent
contracts. besides a large number OF Wit
nesses and visitors.
ON motion IT was decided that the
minutes OF the previous meetings OF the
committee be left with the clerk OF the
Council for the inspection OF those who
WISHED 20 see them.
Mr.. Curtis. OF the Grounds and Build
fnge Committee, was put on the stand.
and was asked 10 make a statement as 10
what he said in regard 10 Mr.. Starke's
statement at the last meeting. Mr.. Curtis
stated that his impression received from
n number OF conversations he had with
Mr.. Epps was that that gentleman believed
that the goods Of the Fenton Metallic
Company were superior in workmanship
and material 20 that Of the ONCE Spe-
cialty Company. He could not remember
Mr.. Epps having made a positive state
nent as 10 the per cent.
Mr.. H. M. Smith was then put on the
stand. and Mr.. starke's statement relative
20 Mr.. Epps read 10 him from the minutes
OF the previous meeting Of the committee.
Mr.. Smith stated that he had no distinct
recollection Of the language used in his
conversation with several people on the
subject but that there was an impress
sion made upon his mind that Mr.. Epps
was of the opinion that the material and
workmanship OF the goods offered by the
Fenton Metallic Company were superior
10 those Of the ONCE Speciality Company
Whether he got this impression from
Mr.. Epps or from others he could not
remember
on being asked II he remembered any,
thing that Mr. Epps himself stated he
replied that several gentlemen were
speaking Of the matter at Murphy's
Hotel one night. Messrs. Starke, Boose.
Epps. Curtis, Cawthorn and others. He
thought little OF the matter at the time.
ana he did not pay close attention IN
what was said. He couldn't remember
VINO Il was that left this impression upon
him.
Mr.. Guigon: Mr.. Smith. are your ser
vices engaged professionally in anv yav
with The awarding Of these contracts?
commit
tee has any right 20 ask me that question.
Stll. II the City Attorney insists. / will
answer u rather than be represented
before the public in a false light.
Mr.. GuiRon insisted that the question
be answered
Mr.. Smith then stated that Mr.. Boose
who repre- ssnted the Fenton Metallic |
Company. came to him and stated that /
there was suit pending in one Of the |
district courts Of the United States in /
which the FentOn Metallic Company had I
sued the Office Speciality Company 10 |
recover damages for an infringement Of |
iisht on their patent. Mr.. Boose thought |
there was good chance to recover |
He had been advised 10 GOO !
Mr. Smith and exhibit the patent papers |
OF both companies The Fenton Com |
pGny wished him TO hold himself in readi- |
ness when the enjOinder would be made |
against the other company. Soon after
the contract was awarded TO the Office
81 ecialty Company he had received q |
eopY Of the Injunction decree. which he /
afterwards put in the hands Of the CITY |
Attorney He had regarded this as /
private affair. and regretted that the con-
mittee deemed It necessary 10 have him |
make statement of the matter.
Mr. Clarence Werner was nex, asl,od
TO take the witness stand.
MI Meredith: Please state what Won
know as 10 what was said in regard ~
Mr. Epps In reference TO awarding tbe
contracts.
Mr.. Werner: received information
from my Office that If Mr. Belvin would
.alK plainly ne could probably give some
information in regard to the matter
ooon afterwards l had an appointment
TO go driving with Mr.. Belvjn. Az So,,-
enth and Broad streets told Mr. Kelvin
what l had heard about che affair lie
smiled and showed me a note written b,,
Ar Epps' which stated that the writer
Was AT mat time unable 20 nav the sfO0
borrowed from Mr. Belvin. but womb
lO so az soon as possible. He also ev-
hlhited a paper, In the same Handwriting
which contained a blank l did not ev-
anime this paper. He stated that II
hsii'lVheu the matter 10 outside |
'aiues ne would XIII me on sight Mr..
bclvin also told me that Mr.. Ems was
rot to pay this money back II Mr. Roose
representing the Fenton Metallic Con-.
'any. was awarded the contract. I ala
not Intend TO speak OF this. bur soon
afterwards heard Of other similar re-
marks which Mr.. Belvin had made TO !
'thers. ~
Mr.. Meredith: What did you say 70
ur' BeiVln that induced him to show
'ou these papers?
MT Werner: told him. as stated be-
ore that l was told at my office that
Mr. Bevin would talk plainly he
ould probably reveal something interest
NJ.
Mr.. Meredith; Do you remember the I
ate Of the paper? {
Mr.. Werner. No I
Mr.. Meredith: Did the additional paper j
ave any figures? !
Mr. Werner: I don't know. I
MT Meredith: What explanation OF !
20 papers did Mr.. Belvin give? !
Mr Werner; AS I've already stated, {
lat this money was borrowed by MIR !
Ups. and would not be paid back II !
r. Boose got the contract /
9r' Meredith; DO scu remember any
ing else he said at that time?
Mr.. Werner: No.
Mr.. Meredith: or afterwards7
Mr. Werner: / saw him Afterwards.
10 when ] recalled ;he conversation ne [
piled that could not prove IL. 5
MI. Meredith: DO you know any facts ]
bout any other members Of the Grounds J
nd Buildings Committee? !
Mr. Werner: No :
Mr.. Curtis was then asked what he I
sew Of the matter. He stated that be S
10 talk with Mr.. Belvin. and the lat- c
r Informed him that he had loaned Mr.. <
pps 500. t
Mr. Meredith: Did Mr.. Belvin state any e
ing about the conditions upon which the il
oney was to be paid back? o
Mr.. Curtis: No. II
.Ar' Meredith: Did you hear the rurors
On any one else than Mr.. Werner?
ar Curtis; Yes, from several peonle.
!. 1 oont remember who they were. 70
ar Belyin occupied the witness-stana m
an hour He was questioned bv sew. "
az members OF the committee. as yeu ~