The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-03
BEMlSS AND
WADDEY ON
They Testify as to Traction
Company Fights,
SPENT BUT LITTLE MONEY
Did haeere Saunders and Manning
SPENT BUT LITTLE MONEY
Paid Messrs. Saunders and Manning
$4,000 Each for Working Up Pub
lie Sentiment-Wirt E. Taylor
Got $1,000 for Services.

The Committee on Municipal Investign-
ton held another session last night, ex-
aminec Mcssrs. E. L. Bemss and Everett
Waddey as to the operations Of the Trac
ton Company for privileges before the
Council. and when they had been eX-
cused the body adjourned to meet again
on Wednesday next at O'Clock p. NJ.
There was no very startling testimony
adduced last night. the burden of that
given being in relation TO the fight Of
the Traction Company TO come on Main
Street.
Mr.. Bemiss read contract between the
company and Messrs. Saunders and Man
ming, II which 1t was agreed that these
gentlemen were TO receive $3.50 each
for managing the fight for public SEN
timent in the event the petition was
granted.
He said Mr.. Wire E. Taylor had gotten
about 81, 900 and that they had all work
ed faithfully for the company.
The Investigation Is reaching a rather
tame stage, and public interest is begin
ming 10 lag in the proceedings OF the
committee.
Called to Order.
The uleeting,,.wa called to order at 6
O'clock by Chairman John B. Minor, and
MI E. L. Beul!ss. who was president Of
the old Traction Company. was put on
the stand and questioned first by Mr. H.
R. Pollard. City Attorney. Mr.. Bemisr
did not tel! great many startling things
and he stated that the company had
spent but little money that ne knew O.!
In its fights for franchises and privileges
before the Council.
Coming down TO the question OF his
companys fight to go on Main Street,
witness spoke OF the difficulties he had
experienced IN getting rhe advantages
to the public properly advertised. and
then he said that the matter Of getting
UP petitions had been placed in the
hands OF Messrs Clyde W. Saunders and
c. Manning, Jr, who mad been employ
ed for this purpose.
Here witness read contract between
the Traction Company and the gentle
men referred TO above, which provided
for the payment TO Messrs. Saunders
and Manning by the company of $50
each, and 81 $50 each In the event of
favorable action upon the petition By
the Council. The contract also provided
for an expense account Of sl,en, to be
paid to Messrs Saunders and Manning
upon vouchers
OTHERS WHO WE'RE PAID,
Witness said that Mr.. John z, Epes
had worked for the company in the mat
ter for while, and Mr.. Writ Z. Taylor
had been also much Interested in the
fight. and he thought ne had gotten some
thing like 5000,
II am very sure no money was paid to
any Counclmen by the company" said
the witness. THE contract made between.
the company and Messrs Saunders and
Manning was strictly carried out by ali
parties.
Witness did not think that Mr., Stem
had changed his position, and was under
the impression that the jackson Ward
member had always been for the Trac,
tlon Company in It's application to ~
OF Main Street.
questioned by Mr. Minor. witness cor
roborated the testimony Of Sheriff Epe.
regarding the latter's connection wltl f'it
Traction Company, and then he testified
that he had no reason TO believe ina
Messrs. Saunders and Manning had &C.
cepted money from the other company
On the other hand, he was very SURF
they had done their work thoroughly and
faithfully, and had practically won The
tight for the company,
OTHER QUEsTIoNERs,
He also spoke In the highest terms o.
Mr.. Taylor's work, and said he had beer
,oyal to the Traction Company. Mr.
Epes asked witness II he did not REGAL
thai the former had written the latte
letter resigning his place with the Trac
don Company before he went with thu
Passenger and Power Company. but IN
witness could not recall distinctly, though
he did not deny II.
Mr.. w. r. jenkins of the Virginia Con
dui, Company, was allowed 10 ask WI
ness some questions, and the gist OF thi
evidence was that Mr. jenkins had BEEF