Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-25
He WILL TALK TO-DAY
GRAND JURY HAS POWER TO MAKE
ATR1CKz zMALoNEY
TESTIFY.
BUT HE. Baked YESTERDAY.
Inquiry Into Alleged Municipal Cor
ruption Takes on New Life.
SECRECY OF THE OFFICIALS.
Even the Janitors Enjoined to Keep
Silent Developments Indicate
That the Jury is Making the Most
Searching Investigation and Is
Taking No Chances on Witnesses
Getting Away.
Inquiry Into Alleged Municipal Cor
ruption Takes on New Life.
Even the Janitors Enjoined to Keep
Getting Away

The grand jury investigation into NUM-
| cipal affairs and government yesterday
| took a fresh hold upon public interest
Since the jury adjourned some weeks ago
speculation and interest have not been
so general or acute as during the active
| work of the jury and just after the sensa-
tional disclosures which led to the arrest
and trial of ex-Alderman King.
Yesterday, however, the grand jury got
down to work again, and among the first
days witnesses was one named Patrick
| Maloney, who is said to represent a
Washington city asphalt firm-the Wash
| ngton Asphalt and Tile Company. it is
said. His firm was a sub-contractor for
Mr.. Gasser, furnishing much of the mate
rial for the paving done around the City
Hall. Mr.. Maloney was located at New
port News, where his firm had a con-
tract. The subpoena was served upon
| him and he was brought to Richmond
yesterday by Sheriff Epps.
The witness recognized the right of the
grand jury to inquire as to any contracts
and work done within the past twelve
months but, it is understood, took the
ground that the grand jury had no right
to question him as to transactions prior
to that time. He preferred to consult his
attorney before testifying further. The
jury insisted that the witness answer,
but upon his demurring. the jurors and
the witness filed into the courtroom and
| asked instructions from Judge Witt as to
their powers and the duty of the witness.
Wants to See n Lawyer.
Mr.. Maloney, it is understood. desired
to have his examination postponed until
| he could secure the presence and advice
of his attorneys. He did not wish to
without authority.
| The court reminded the witness that the
grand jury could not wait upon him and
! that he must testify. Finally, however,
the court suggested that the Jury go on
and call other witnesses. win the idea
| that Mr.. Maloney shall have his counsel
| here and be ready to proceed to-day
| Finally Mr.. Maloney secured a bonds
man, Colonel John Murphy going his Sc
| curty for $500, and he was allowed to
go until to-day when. it is expected, he
will again depose and conclude his tes-
| timony.
Was Gasser Responsible:
Just how the grand jury got the name
III tIle agent Ol TIC wa lllll ID
| not announced. It is generally believed
that it was brought out in the examina-
| ton of Mr.. Gasser and his fellow-con-
| tractors, and that learning that he was In
| the State and could therefore,, be sub
poenaed. he was promptly sent for. he
| is the man to whom reference has for
several days been made as a Washington
| contractor whose presence was desired.
That he was summoned is of import
H. {s~~oSS SS@,, &c,
| to be Of the broadest scope, and that
wherever and whenever testimony is at
| tainable it is going to be had. OF course,
| witnesses outside the State cannot be
subpoenaed, but if they are known to be
| within the State. even temporarily. they
| can be called upon and required to tes-
| tify.
| Under law recently enacted by the
| General Assembly the witnesses can be
required to testify as to acts and state
| ments prior to the past twelve months.
The Washington witness evidently was
not aware Of this law yesterday. The
! very fact that the witness declined to
| testify to transactions prior to a year ago
gives rise to the suspicion. which is in
deed belief. that his deposition will be
| important and may contain some sensa-
| tional disclosures. Certainly the grand
| jury has the witness and the power to
force him to testify. Whatever he knows
| that has bearing upon the contracts let
by the city will come out.
Recall OF NIa1oney To-Day.
The calling of Mr. Maloney. and his re-
fusal to testify further yesterday, were
! the features of the days proceedings. His
recall to-day will be awaited with great
| interest. The work of furnishing material
for which his firm was a sub-contractor,
was done during the past four years in
| the asphalt paving around the City Hall.
The other witnesses who deposed yes
| terday, were President William M. Tur-
pin, of the Board of Aldermen; Coun-
Gilman Otway S. Allen, and r. L. Peters.
members of the old Street Committee; Mr.
| John T. Glenn. of the Merchants Nation
al Bank; Cashier Hill, of the American
National Bank; Mr.. Harvey L. Wilson,
formerly on the Richmond press. but now
editor of the Newport News Times-Her-
aid. Mr.. D. O'Sullivan. and Mr.. Maloney.
Mr. D. OSullivan, who was an import
ant witness for the defendant in the trial
of John NJ. King, was in the jury room
for some time.
Takes Very Broad Range.
Naturally there is general inquiry as to
the range of the inqusty. and considerable
specula ton as to the probable disclosures.
It is stated by gentleman thoroughly
tamlllar Win the WOTk on stHe StIeetS.
that outside of the asphalt work, there
were no contracts for paving in which it
was likely thai there had been any bribery
or improper influence. All the other paw
ing contracts. he said, were SO small that
there was nothing in them more than
living wages for the small contractor.
who was willing to bid on them. AS a
matter of fact. he said, some of the larger
contractors of some years ago now refuse
to bid, the work being in such small bits
and the cutting so close in competition.
that there was nothing in it for a con-
tractor for larger enterprises.