Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-28
A FINAL WORD WITH MIR. EAST.

Yesterday morning the virginian-
Pilot gave the affidavit of its City Edi-
tor (who has just returned to this city
from visit TO Michigan). establishing
the circumstances of the interview with
Mr.. J. Frank East, on the authority of
which this newspaper, for nearly two
weeks. placed his name among those
who favored fixing q maximum rate in
the Bell franchise. In a communica-
ton TO the Virginian-Pilot on Novem-
was a Topper MIR. East used the fol-
lowing languages:
THE only interview ever had with a
representative of your parer on the
subject took place about the goth of
october and under the following cir
cumstances: On or about that date I
was called up on the phone from my
Office, etc" The City Editor of the Vir-
Einian Pilot makes affidavit that sub
sequent to this interview, which Mr..
East says was the "only" one be had
with a representative of this news
paper, Mr.. East had another Interview
in the Office of the Virginian Pilot and
STATED that he favored the fixing of
maximum rates by Councils in the Bell
Company's franchise" Mr.. East, there
fore, has very short memory, or he
stated what he must have known was
untrue. when he said that an Interview
over the telephone was the "only" one
he had with q representative of the
Virginian- Pilot.
In his letter of the 18th instant to the
Nirginian-Pilot. giving his alleged rea-
rate for the Bell Company, and in favor
of violating the city's contract, Mr.
East attempted to make it appear that
the matter was chiefly one between the
Southern States and Southern Bell
telephone companies. and that no right
of the people was sacrificed. Yet in a
communication to the Public Ledger
signed Councilman, on October Sth
written for the purpose of attacking
the Nirginian- Pilot. Mr.. Fast used this
language in speaking of the fight to fix
IL maximum rate in the Bell franchise
when it was granted, about three years
ago:
1T is n fact that it ,eas a fight in tohich
The people ccrc as much interested as The
SoHihcrn States Worc. No one can qncS-
ton This.
Then where was the Virginian- Pilot?
Did 1t raise its powerful influence I'm
the interest of the people and against
corporate greed?
No, not n line or word of protest did
ii raise. and for reasons best known to
itself it was as dumb as an oyster
though a. iCoS IN possession of all the facts
at The time. and kncio Of The broken con-
tract and qualification Of Counciimen ,uho
irerc a party to. and roted for. both fran
chiScs."
The Daily Pilot was In possession of
the facts" and (under the same man.
agement as the Virginian- Pilot is at
presently protested against corporate
greed" But what has Mr.. ]. Frank
East done? On October the Sth he de-
clares that Councilmen broke a con-
tract of the city in granting the Bell
Company franchise without n maxi
mum rate, and that they were guilty of
qualifications" on November Sth Zone
month afterwards) he went into Coun-
ellis and voted against curing this
broken contract and became party to
what he had himself declared was
'stultihcation!" lie said on October
Sth that 1T was n fight in which the
people were as much interested as the
Southern States were" on November
Sth he voted against what he had adj
mitted We're the peoples interests. and
has given no better reason than IF
IT. be true that the Bell Company has
lost 100000 in three years. etc"
ON his own testimony Mr. ]. Frank
East. President of the Common Coun-
ell, is convicted of voting to break q
contract Of the city, to stutify himself
and against the interests of the people.