The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-26
TELEPHONE FOLK
BEING EXAMINED
Strand Jury Takes Up New Line
of Evidence.
j. C. ROBERTSON TESTIFIED
Jury Learns from Witness Meloney
That Money Was Sent Contractor
Gasser-T telephone Franchise
Now Being Looked Into.
j. C. ROBERTSON TESTIFIED

After having satisfied themselves about
I've asphalt block pavement about the
City Hal. the grand jury, before adjourn
1nE yesterday. entered into an investiea-
zion Of the telephone franchises, and for
some days now n is expected that this
matter Will hold their attention, as a
large number of witnesses have been sum
r,oncd. one having already told all he
Knows about the fight between the Rich
mond Telephone Company and the South
eIn Bell Company.
There seems little doubt but that the
grand jury is well satisfied that the paw
ing contracts for the work about the
Ci;y Hall were not quite on the level.
especially in view of the testimony of
Mr. Patrick Meoney, of Washington,
who day before yesterday refused to tell
mat he knew of the contracts. Meloney
stated to the grand jury yesterday morn
ing that his company had upon two oc-
cesions allowed Charles C;asSur, who had
the contract from the city for the work
to sepnd money. promising TO deduct It
from the bils-S%5o at one time and $l01
at another.
In his statement to the grand jury Mr..
Neloncy said that GaSser had written
30 his company. stating that with the use
OF q little money he could land the con-
tracts for the work, and as the amounts
requested Cy him were comparatively
small, his company told him to go ahead
and use the stipulated amounts No real
money changed hands, Gasser simply de-
Quoting what he had used for influence
from the bills of the asphalt company
TELEPHONE FRANCHISES.
With the testimony of Mr.. Neloney the
Grand jury turned their attention from
street paving contracts to the telephone
franchises, calling upon Mr.. John c. Rob
crtson. formerly president of the Rich
1nnEd Telephone Company He was asked
concerning the fight before the Council
for n now franchise by the Southern Bell
Company telling all he knew of the mat
ter. all Of which was on the level.
Hhe grand jury questioned Mr.. Robert
ron concerning the Councilmen who sup
ported the application Of the Bell Com
rany from the first never once changing
their ballots. fIe told them the names
OF the gentlemen, and then the jury
wanted TO know Il he had any reason
to believe that they had been bribed.
Il have no more reason to believe that
those mon who supported the application
for the franchise We're bribed than l
have that those who opposed the meas
Gro Were bribed. know absolutely moth
ing of any crooked dealings in either
branch Of the Council In regard TO these
telephone franchises other matters"
Mr. Hunt Chipley, superintendent of the
Southern Bell Telephone Company, will
be the first witness called before the
grand jury this morning. Following him
Will appear M. Leroy Brown, a real
estate agent, and then will come Mr.. j.
w Sinton, cashier of the City Bank. MIR.
Chipiey will be given a. most thorough
examination in regard TO the franchise
under which his company is now operat-
ing their exchange in Richmond. but Mr.
chirley knows of no crooked work MIR
Brown is unable to imagine what the
grand jury expects to learn from him, as
oh.
has been summoned for the purpose of
telling of certain checks which are ai-
legged to have passed IN connection with
the telephone franchises.
WILL SOON END LABORS.
II is stated that the grand Jury
will submit its final report before the
first week in October is over. at which
time it will be discharged by Judge Witt.
This Will practically close the long inves
ugauon. which has caused so much con-
Germ TO the public, and speculation is rife
to what this report VIII embrace.
Some think that additional indictments
Will be found, while others think that
not n single true bill VIII be returned.
The consensus seems that regardless
OF whether any indictments are found.
the grand jury win make public lust
what has been brought to light before
them. in which event a great sensation
IS expected, several members Of the jury
having stated that there can be no .loubt
as to corruption existing, their great
trouble being in securing sufficient evil
derce on which to indict.