The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-08
KING AGAIN
GETS HOT END.
Telephone Matter Before In.
vestlgating Committee.
TWOWlTNESSES EXAMINED
president Of Richmond Company Says
King Offered 10 Break Tie for
estinony as to Sup-
pers and Trips TO N. Y.

pers and Trips TO N. Y.
The Municipal Committee OF Invesu-
ration held q session last night and took
Zip the matter OF the granting OF tele-
phone franchises by the Council. But
two witnesses were examined, they haV-
ing been President John G. Robertson
and Vice-P President Warner Moore OF
the old Richmond Telephone Company.
When these witnesses had been excused
the body arose to meet again on Friday
night, when the investigation will be
continued on the same line.
There was nothing really sensational
In the testimony last night, ana lihs tho
first one held the trend OF the whole
matter was that ex-Alderman John NJ
King had been the spokesman FOR tho
winning company.
City Attorney Pollard read from the
minutes OF the Street Committee and
they showed that there was usually
division on the telephone franchise mat
ter. and that Messrs. Allen, Woody.
Peters and Burton voted one way and
Messrs. King, Pollock, Gibson, Bahen
whlttet. Mills. Mosby and Glenn the
other.
Mr.. Robertson corroborated this and
spoke OF trips TO New York and suppers
at Ruegcr's at the expense OF the Bell
Company. 1t is understood that prac-
tically all the testimony taken last night
came out at the recent grand Jury in
vcstigation.
WAS RATHER TAME.
The committee was called to order at
B:35 o'clock by Chairman Minor. and
seven OF tho nine members answered to
their names. Mr.. Spence came in later
on, leaving Mr.. Hargrove as the only
absentee.
General Anderson moved that the com
mittee go into the Investigation of the
matter OF the granting of telephone fran
chises. and City Attorney Pollard read
from the minutes OF the Street Commit
tee on the subject.
ton Of the Bell company was made. Mr.
J. NJ. King moved that It be laid upon the
table, which motion prevailed.
Mr. Pollard read a letter from himself
as City Attorney, asking that the matter
go over until the litigation in the Fed
eral courts should be settled, and he
proceeded to read at great length. but
nothing developed Of striking moment,
save that Mr.. John NJ. King seemed to
have had his eye constantly on the situa-
ton, and made many motions to Delay
until matters could be Cooked into.
1t was further shown that later on 1t
was on Air. Kings motion that the mat
ter was taken from the table, The record
further showed that upon the whole mat
ter relating to the telephone franchises
Messrs. Allen. Peters, Woody and Burton
voted together, and the other eight mem
bers. Messrs whittet, Glenn. Pollock.
King, Mills. Bahcn, Mosby and Gibson.
voted In most instances with the Bell
company.
MR.. ROBERTSON TEsTIFTEs.
The reading OF the Street Committees
minutes did not develop anything start
ling. and Mr.. John C. Robertson. former
president OF tho Richmond Telephone
Company. took the stand
Mr. Robertson said he had attended
all the street Committee meetings dur
Ing the telephone fight and had sought
TO defeat the Bell ordinance He was
led to believe that the Bell company pro-
posed to get through its ordinance re-
gardes OF means.
From lobbying he saw going on in town
and the votes in the committee he form
ed this con clusion. He thought the peot
ple who voted with the Bell Company
had usually been taken to RuegeTs to
supper after the committee meetings,
He said those who voted with the Bell
Company always went. Tho Others did
not. Mr.. Pollock and Mr.. King. he
thought. were the most active Bell ad-
vocates In the committee. He said after
the Bell Company had gotten its fran
chise up Mr.. King had written witness
that he wanted to see him. He went to
Zee Mr. King and the latter said there
had been tie vote in the committee,
and that for $1,000 he tKing) would
break the tie. He said King told him
that he would help him In committee Tor
$1,000, but would have to have $1,000
more II the ordinance got into the Board.
III you don't put up again for the Board
work /" said King. "Il have to fight you
there
ANOTHER SUGGESTION.
He had been called up at his home
from Zimmermann's Hotel by an out
rder and told that for $500 the person
Ealing could control certain member
" tho committee against tho Bell fran
.hise.
Mr.. Pollard had been questioning Mr,
Robertson. and now Chairman Minor
hook the witness In hand.
Witness thought several local politi-
plans had been strong lobbyists for the
Bell Company. He did not know this,
however, Of his own knowledge. He knew
they were working for the ben COM
pany, though none OF them had ever APP
preached witness. He thought General
Meany or Colonel Hunt chipley had
usually taken the Bell followers to Rue
Kers after each Street Committee meet
Ing when the franchise matter was UP.
There were four members who never
vent They were Messrs, Allen. Burton,
Peters and Woody. He thought tho
pther eight usually went He had heard
that several trips were taken to New
York by certain members OF the commit
lee at the expense OF the Bell Company.
CHANGE OF FRONT.
One member of the Council who had
gone to New York with Bell partv, had
changed front and voted for the o'd'-
nance. though before leaving he was
great antl-Bell advocate.
The Chair RETAINED from asking witt
ness who this member was.
In answer to question by Captain
Hail. he said he had understood that
either General Meany, Colonel Chipley,