The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-18

Colonel ". E. cutshaw, City Engineer,
1T q epe-a called meeting of The Street
Committee yesterday afternoon, stated to
the committee that Captain Charles Gas
ser, one of the city contractors, had stated
to him that he had paid money to Mr..
John N. King until July list i member
OF the Board of Aldermen from Jefferson
Ward. and of the Street Committee, to
secure contracts from the city.
Messrs. ]. "A GUIDE and J. c. Vein
brunn were invited to be present. At this
scr told Colonel Cutshaw, had done the
same thing.
These statements were made to tlle COM
Irittee at meeting held behind closed
doors yesterday afternoon. The coua,nit-
tee decided to meet again last right,
when Messrs. Gasser,5 GUIDE and Vein
l,,,;ln were invited to be present. AT this
meeting Captain Gasser, throughout a
loie cross-questioning. declined to affirm
or deny the truth of Colonel Cutshaw's s
statement, Messrs. Guide and Weinbrunn
t;eped absolutely. having ever made any
improper use of money to secure city
contracts.
NO ACIlOTS' IAhtN.
No action was taken by the committee
: las night. and after the adjournment of
tie meeting Acting Chairman Peters stat
cd that he did not know that the COM
niittee would take any further notice of
tie matter. in view of the unwillingness
of Mr.. Gasser to testify.
II was believed on the streets late last
night after the matter had been made
public, that SO great would be the stir
arc conmotion throughout the city when
+, hecame generally known that testimony
of this character had been given about a
former Alderman and member of the
Street Committee. that a thorough going
investigation would be demanded by the
public at the hands Of the, Council.
Mr.. KING OUT OF THE CITY.
representative of The Times en-
deavored to find Mr.. King last night af-
ter the meeting of the committee. but
was unable to do so, as he was in Nor
folk.
On Wednesday afternoon, Colonel Cut
shaw requested Mr.. Peters, acting chair
man of the committee in the absence
of Major Allen. to call a meeting of
the Street Committee for yesterday after
noon The object of the meeting was
not stated.
The committee assembled at O'clock
Messrs. Peters. Williams. Adams West,
Phillips Bahen, J. NJ. n. Allen, Burton,
>,
acting chairman, as soon as the meet
ing was called together, stated that at
the request Of Colonel Cutshaw, the meet
Ing would be in executive session. The
representatives of the press and all Others
retired. The meeting lasted an hour.
Colonel Cutshaw stated that Captain
Charles Gasser had Wednesday stated 10
him. that he had paid money for the Sc
curing Of city contracts for street paw
ing and similar work. Captain Gasser,
Colonel Cutshaw said. named two other
CITY contractors who had done the same
thing. Colonel Cutshaw stated that these
statements had been made in the pres
ence of a clerk in his office, and "a
portion of them in the presence of City
Attorney Pollard also. He had endeav-
ored without success to get them put
into writing.
City Attorney Pollard made a state
naent. which in all particulars was the
esne as that of Colonel Cutshaw.
THE SECOND MEETING.
The committe decided to call the three
paving contractors before it. At first It
decided to meet tonight. but upon later
consideration it was decided to meet
last night.
The committee reassembled at $50
o'clock and went into executive session
again. Eleven members were present
4 Messrs. j. w. M.%Allen. Blanks. Peters,
s Phillips. whittet. williams. Adams
Rahen. Burton. Teefey and West The
three Paving contractors were present.
Colonel Cutshaw again stated the con-
versation he had had with Captain Gas
ser as to his having paid maoney to
Alderman King for the securing of con-
tracts from the city.
Captain Gasser throughout thorough
cross-examination resolutely declined to
either affirm or deny the fact that he
had made such statements to Colonel
Cutsfaw. Messrs. GUIDE and weinbrunn
positively denied having ever paid any
money to councilmen for contracts
when the three contractors left the
room they each stated that they had
no statements to make for the newspa.
y At the conclusion OF the meeting lasi
night the representa- atives of the news.
ICcntinued on Third Page.)