The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-03
He Would NotknswerAII Mr.. Pitchers
Questions.
ONLY ONE OFFER WAS MADE.
of. John L. Williams &
Son Talked With Directors and III
timatcd That II Proposition
Might be Made for Hire Of
Convicts to Work on
Electrical Enterprise.

The ioint special committee appointed
to investigate the contract between the
Davis Boot and Shoe Company and S1e
Commonwealth of Virginia held Il meet
ing in the Senate Chamber last night.
There were present Chairman Pitcher,
Senator Lupton and Delegate Fclkes.
Senator Lyle and Delegate Gregory were
absent.
The first witness called was Mr.. T. W.
Thacker. of Boston, the secretary and
treasurer and general manager of the
Davis Boot and Shoe Company He had
not been on tho stand long before snag
was struck Mr. Thacker was unwilling
to answer. or Mr.. Miles M. Martin. coun-
sci for the Company, objected to his an
swering certain questions put by Mr..
Pitcher on the ground that ths interro-
cations We're not gerrnane to the inveS-
t.gation and replies to them would dis
close the private affairs of the Company
Mr.. Pitcher asked Mr.. Tirackcr why it
was that his Company wanted to renew
its contract for seven years six years
before it expired Mr.. Thacker was pro-
ccedirg to tell of the valuable plant his
Company had here, and of the necessity
of looking far ahead and opening up new
territories for the sale of goods. when
Mr.. Pitcher questioned him as to the val
uc of the plant. Mr. Thacker said he
was unable to furnish this information.
and Mr. Pitcher expressed great surprise.
Mr. Tkllcker was pressed for an answer,
but said it was impossible for him to es-
timate the value Ct. the plant. because
machinery was constantly changing, and
he did rot know just what was on hand
now. Among other things Mr.. Thacker
said his Company had been looking 20 the
Cuban field as possi!oly a good territory
in which to dispose of its shoes and boots.
OTHER OFFERS.
In reply to questions. he said reprcsen-
tatives of North Carolina and Alabama
had been seeking tosinduce the Company
TO lease canvicts; IN those States, but the
concern had enjoyed pleasant relations
with Virginia. was doing a fairly good
business. ana was satisfied to stay here,
Notwithstanding North Caroline offered
.convicts at less than is paid to Virginia
for their services.
Mr. Pitcher wanted to learn something
about the prospects of the Davis Com
pany. and started out to ask where the
goods; manufactured in the Virginia peni-
tent:ary are sold. AR. Martin objected
TO this. and Mr. Thacker did not reply.
Ar Pitcher then stated it was useless to
exaimine Mr.. Thacker any further, as
the information the committee wanted
he would not give.
Mr.. Martin insisted that the private
affairs of the Company had nothing
whateve. to do with the contract under
investigation.
Mr.. Thacker. in RESPONSE . questions,
stated that his Company was oppcsed to
ar act requiring that the boots and shoes
be stamped to show that the;- are made
by convict labor. In the event OF ;uuh a
law being passed his Com 5lny would
l1ave to retire from business in the State.
y DIRECTORS STATEMENT.
Mr.. W. D.. Chesterman. one OF the
penitertiary directors, was next put
upon the stand He stated that there
had not been in the last twelve months.
as far as he knew, any offer from any
concern other than the Davis Company,
to hire the convicts. At various times
in the past applications had been made
for the lease of prisoners in small
patches.
Sometime last year, Mr.. Chesterman
said, a Mr. Williams came to him to ask
about the terms of the contract with the
Davis Company. He gave him all the
recall them. Mr.. Williams wan<ed a
copy of the contract, and the BoaS had
a conference with reference to whether
or not it would be proper to allow the
contract to be copied. 1t was decided,
by advice OF the Governor, that q copy
of it could be had, and some one, Mr.
Chesterman did not recall whethe- it
was Superintendent Helms or President
Harmon, of the Board. was instructed to
inform John L. Williams & Sons that a
copy of the contract could be had.
Mr. Pitcher wanted to know of Mr..
Chestelman if in his judgment it would
not be better to advertise when convicts
are to be leased out for bids. Mr.. Ches-
terman replied that this might or might
not be wise course to pursue. There
was no secrecy about the renewal of
the contract with the Davis. Company
lC,ontinned On Eighth Paeel