The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-07
ANOTHER
INQUIRY
GOING ON.
This Time it Relates to
Street. Cleaning.
DISCHARGED MEN .
SEEK OLD PLACES
Charges and Counter Charges
Before the Health Com
mittce.
IsUpT. HENRY C0HN
CONDUCTS HIS SIDE.
Dismissed Men on Ground Of
Drunkenness, Laziness and
Incompetcncy, and They
Make Sweeping De-
malls and Counter
Charges.
Charges and Counter Charges
Before the Health Com
IsUpT. HENRY C0HN
CONDUCTS HIS SIDE

n lst,ss7 ~. !. = ae '5.56 6
Charges.
Another investigation Is In progress at
tho City Hall. and this one relates en-
ti,ely to the Street Cleaning Department.
The Health Committee has the matter
In charge. and held spicy session last
night, at which there were charges and
ccunter-charges. and large amount OF
testimony. The subject arises out OF the
discharge by superintendent cohn Of a
Eumbcr OF men from the street cleaning
force whom he charges with drunken-.
ness, laziness. incompetency and gross
neglect OF duty.
The men dismissed are William Lam
ders. William Hall. John Robinson. r. L.
son. but the case against the latter was
the only one gone into last night. He
produced a long list OF witnesses. and
they all testified as 10 his efficiency. he
having been on the force since 1893.
What Mr.. Cohn will be able to prove
7 in rebuttal is, OF course, not known, but
Robinson and his witnesses certainly
kmade "a good impression StEnight- AT.
|. Cohn Is conducling the. case etrnrn taia
standpoint. and the committeeman are
Questioning the witnesses closely. evident
Ely with a determination to arrive at The
bottom facts.
Mr.. Robinson charged that men are
employed on the force who live In the
county, and he gave two names. He said
the men were not required to sign any
pay roll under Mr.. Cohn. though they
rad 10 dc SO under DR.. Oppenhelmer. He
also asserted that men were often sus-
pended for drunkSlness and then taken
back, and that Assistant superintendent
Martin had recently taken man from
his cart In a drunken condition. sent him
home and when he had served his sus-
pension was re-employed.
The Investigation Will last for at least
week, and some lively scenes are ex-
pected before 1t ends.
The committee rose at II o'clock and
will NEE; again on Monday night at
7'aO O'Clock. to hear Mr.. Cohen's wit.
nesses.
WARM SESSION.
The meeting was called to order at &
O'Clock, and Mr.. O'Neil called for the
reading OF the ordinance under which
the street cleaning department was cre-
ated. and 1t was read by the clerk.
The ordinance gives the superintendent
the authority. under the direction OF tho
committee. to employ and discharge men
in the department.
Mr.. Curtis moved that superintendent
Cohn be heard from, and the latter made
a statement. He had not proceeded far
when Mr.. Hicks protested. and said the
superintendent WAS not asked to argue
the case. He then cut short his speech
and said he had discherged the follow
Ing men for drunkenness. laziness, H.
ccmnetency and gross neglect OF duty:
William Landers William Hall. John
Robinson, i. i. Robinson. r. L. shu'
maker and H, B. Rudd,
Mr. j., L. Robinson was the first ac-
I cused., and Superintendent Cohn said no
discharged him for ''breaking the rules
being one OF the slowest men on tho
force and unable to do n days work. "
The greatest confusion hereg prevailed
and there was considerable cross firing
between Captain Curtis and Superlnten-
dent Cohn as to whether or not the lat.
ter should answer a question put to him
by the former. Squire A. P, Montgom-
cry testified as to the good character
Of the accused. though he did not know
Curtis testified' hut he knew nothing
material on the subject. Mr.. Davis bot
tom knew accused slightly, but could
not say specifically as to HIS work. tic
knew Re had good reputation as sober
and industrious man. Mr., Cohn con-
Quoted his nwn cnse and cross-examlnnd
/ the witnesses. Mr.. Howard Heslep tes.
tilted along the line with Mr.. BottOnl,
and said he had always known accused
as an Industrious man, Mr.. K. L. Peters
had known accused for five years, and
he gave him good name and nraise',
him MS ono Of the good mon In the do
nartment. lie thought he was. indeedi
nne NJ the hest men In Tho dennrtment,
STRONG TESTIMONY.
1,he testimony of MIR, Peters was very
strong for the accused, Mr.. Cohen askeu
a question on nation. but Il
did not please tho witness, and WAS
promptly ruled out, and Mr.. Peters stood
as de-. Mr.. John Hughes spoke earnestly
for tho accused. and declared THAI he
believed him one OF the best men 0n
the force. Mr.. W. T, Blackburn. o,,s VI
{ the fellow workmen OF tho accused. snnko
we'll of the latter, and said he regarded
him as a good man.
Another big stir arose here over Mr.
Cohen's cross-examinatlon OF the wlt-
ness. and tho latter and Mr., Hicks, of the
committee. had some fiery passages with
each other. Mr.. II, e. Lee testified bolag
assistant foreman In tho Third D'st,le,.
He said while under him Mr. Iiohinsu,,
had been a very good man. Mr.. Vol
foreman over Mr., Robinson, testified that
he was about as good as tho avetRge ,niAll
IConti,,npl on Second PaXe)