Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-01
MR.. GRIMES EXPLAINS
A Statement from Him Read Before The
Investigating Committee.
40 EFFORT TO HIDE DEFICIT
lie Declares That lie Was Ac""s
solely ms the Friend of the RAM
lily of Superintendent Adn"s-i"'"
Several Pcrsons of His Pinn.

Several Persons al htH ''""'
Another session Of the Councils special
Committee Of Investigation Of tho AFFAIRS
n IN, CITY Gas-Works was held last
wyoming So Tar as the proceedings, to
Yhicb the public was admitted, were
,oncerncd. they were devoid Of anything
Of speclal interest All the members
n the committee were on hand and the
-Ity Attorney and superintendent
Knowles were also present.
when the committee met Mr. John X.
Grimes appeared before IT, and asked
permission TO make statement, which
privilege was granted him. Mr. Grimes
complained Of the headlines Of the arti-
Gle concerning the investigation which ap-
reared in the Dispatch yesterday morning.
flo assorted that these headlines I'D him
an injustice Mr.. Crimes added that he
had given statement TO the state, set
ling forth his true position in this matter
and he asked that this bc read before the
committee. This statement which APP
aosrs In full below, was read by StcnOgra-
phfr Winston, and at its conclusion, Mr.
crimes said. THAT IS all have 20 say.
only want to be set right IN the matter.
1 thought at the time that the shortage
should bc kept from the public until the
subcommittee could make its report The
subject was spoken Of by me at the tne
10 which Mr.. Boudar referred. ana 10
4 number Of persons about the city Han.
did not know that Mr.. Adamss family
could do so much toward settling the
deficiency"
Mr. Grimes here retired. and Mr.. Joseph
M Shelton, who was present as tpectd-
tor. offered TO go upon the stand III TINS
connection. II the committee so DESIRED
tut this was not deemed necessary
The body sent out for Mr. BounaT' lhal
d.. might have an opportunity 10 speak
with reference 90 the statement OF MT.
Grimes. and also 20 the interview in the
state accredited 10 him, which had also
been read Mr.. BOudar could not De
found about the hall. however and the
committee went into executive session
and for an hour or more CONSIDERED tne
matter Of its report 20 the Council. IL
adjourned without having c0mpietcd TINS
work.
BELOW arc given the statements given
,ut bv Alessrs. Grimes and Boudar yes
,erday.
MIR. CRIMEs's STATEMENT.
at the time OF tho investigation OF the
rae-works the subcommittee appointed,
composed Of Messrs. Branch, Hardwlcke,
and Vaughan. lady member Of the
family Of the late Mr. ". G.. Adams came
10 my Office % see me asking what
amount | thought was the shortage in
Mr. Adams's accounts? l replied that /
thought. from what j had heard it would
be I'm the neighborhoOd Of $1,000, per-
haps less. She asked me II / thought
n could be settled without the matter
being published. | inquired OF her how
the expected to settle il. and she replied
hat her mother, Mrs. Adams was willing
20 give up all of Mr.. Adams's
lie insurance. which amounted TO
some NfO0o all in her favor. This
Insurance was placed i'm the knights Of
Honor. the Royal Arcanum. the Society
n Good-Fel0ws. and in other beneficial
orders.
SAW THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
Il replied that I was not in any posi-
'.0n 10 say what could be done. and
advised her TO see the Subcommittee
and talk the matter over with them.
and she did see Mr. Branch. the chair
man. and ] think she said that she saw
MIR. Vaughan. ! saw her again during
that same day when she said that she
had seen Mr.. Branch, who gave her no
inal and definite answer. Later in the
day / saw Mr. Branch at his bank my
self. and we talked over the matter and
came TO the conclusion that, confidering
ihe large deficiency, nothing could be
lone. as desired 10y Mrs. Adams. ] also
ialked with Mr.. Hardwiclc. and he came
to the same conclusion that was reached
10y Mr. Branch and myself.
Miss Adams sister Of the late Super
ntcndent OF the Gas-Works also volun-
.arly offered through me 10 give up
Nfc insurance standing I'm her favor on
her late brothers life To the amount Of
5000
TT SEEMED PRAISEWORTPY.
My whole interest in the matter was
based entirely and solely upon feelings
OF friendship for the family Of Mr.
Ad1ms--that was all. Their voluntary
offer 10 give up everything they had 10
clear up and settle the matter Of the
shortage seemed 90 me most praise
worthy. and. under all the circumstances
The best thing 10 lie done for the in
terest ~ the city. Had their prorosition
been accepted, he city Of Richmond
would have received $1,000 without any
trouble and expenses OF suits. costs de-
Law. or litigation. And here is 9n0ther
point 200 favor Of the good intentions
and desires Of the family of the late Su-
perintendent. when you remember that
at the time of these interviews l have
lust told OF 10 was expected that the
icdct would DE less in amount than the
amounts they offered 20 give up freely
and voluntarily"
Mr. Grimes denied omphatcally that he
had ever requested Mr.. Boudar, the ac-
tountant, 90 keep the Adams shortage
secret
MIR BOUDAR CORROBORATES.
Air. Boudar regretted very much that
an incorrect impression had gore out
regarding this natter lie on yegterday
rorroborated what Mr Grimes had said
In the above card. and added:
- am sure that Mr.. Grimes was not try
Ing 20 influence my report, for there was
nothing said between as that would
Justify such belief. The idea Of Mr..
Grimes was simply to keep everything
quiet until my final report sh0rld be
made. and then let the committee give
out any information they pleased TO the
public
RICHMOND's FIRE DEPARTMENT..
In ltfe y nj