The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-23
Saunders Received $1,000
for His Influence.
PETTlS AND WALTON
GOT FIFTY EACH
Mr.. Calder Gould Not Appear on Ac-
count of Sickness, ard Mr.. LongIey
Was Excused Because His Ev-
idence Was Not Material.
Committee to Meet
Monday Night. 4

The committee of investigation which IS
now probing into the allegations regard
Ing the granting or a franchise to the
Southern Bell Telephone Company. held a
meeting last night, examined three Wit
nesscs, and adjourned 10 meet again on
Monday night at $50 O'Clock. IL Is un-
derstood that the telephone matter VIII
be disposed of next week, and then
recess OF several weeks viii be taken.
When the body resumes operations at
the end OF this time it will be to take up
the methods OF the street railway COM
panies in securing their charters.
Five witnesses had been summoned for
last nights session. but only three,
Messrs. Clyde w. Saunders, ]. P. Pettis
and E. J. Walton, were put on: MI. Hn,n- UNI
phrey Calder was reported sick. and MIR.
William Longley was excused because
he could testify to no material facts. The
session last night was very tame, each
O: the witnesses detailing how much
money they had gotten, and that they
had used 1t for no Improper purposes.
Mr. Saunders said he got $1,000, Mr.. Pet
tbs $50, and Mr.. Walton $50 They all used
1t for legitimate purposes, and spent none
OF II to corrupt Councimen. Indeed,
they kept 1t, as had been given them
for personal services rendered, a no nor
n to be used TO Influence votes. The. tele-
phone investigation will likely end next
week.
Councilman Minor ca He'd the committee
TO order at 5S.35 o'clock p. NJ. and all the
members answered to their, names save
Mr.. Morton. who was reported out or IN
city. The sergeant-at-arms reported Mr..
Humphrey Calder, one of the witnesses
summoned as being sick. Mr.. Calder was
excused, and Mr.. j. P. Pettis. one of
the capital policemen. was sworn and took
the stand.
Mr.. Pettis said he had been employed
by Colonel Chipley to help work up pub
lie sentiment In favor of the Bell Com
pany. He did 1t because he wanted a bet
ter telephone service. He had spoken to
Messrs. Seay. Blanks and Cottrell on the
subject, as these had been assigned him
by Colonel Chipley. For my services
got s45 or $50 and put It all in my pocket =
said the witness 1T was not enough TO
put in bank"
II talked to the constituents OF the
Councilmen named by me, and got as
many OF them to visit them as possible.
Il visited them myself. but most Of them
voted against the ordinance.
MR. WALTON TESTIFIES,
Up to this point Mr.. Pollard had the
witness. and now he was taken In hand
by Chairman Minor.
He said he had seen only the Council
men he had mentioned. as they were all
he had been requested to see. He knew
of no corrupt methods used by the BELL
Company In their efforts to secure their
franchise.
Mr.. e. J.. Walton. keeper Of Monroe
Square, was next sworn. He said he was
employed by Colonel Chipley after the
Street Committee had acted on the ordl-
nance and 1t was before tho Council.
He agreed to help out, but not to see any
Councilmen. He visited those having
phones and talked for better service,
no boS a
He had no reason to believe that any
improper Influences had been brought
to bear In favor Of the ordinance. Wit
ness said he had received $50 for his SER
vices. He kept Nhis and did not treat
any one or spend 1t In any way In the
interest of the company.
Mr.. Clyde ". Saunders was now put
upon tho stand and questioned by Mr..
Pollard, Witness said he was mem-
ber of the city Democratic Committee
and superintendent of Clay Ward.
He was employed by Colonel Chlpley
to help get through the Bell ordinance.
Most of his work was along the line Of
securing votes In the two branches OF
the Council
WORKED IN CLAY WARD.
He was employed by Colonel Chlpley.
and this was before the ordinance was
introduced, His work was confined
largely to Clay Ward. He did all he
could IN legiumate way No secure NoleS
for the ordinance.
Witness said he had seen Messrs
ILA,,man. seay Whittet, Blanks, Gibson.
Cottrell and Winston In the interest OF
the company.
III was paid $1,000" said the witness.
"for my services. got $500 before and
$500 after the fight was over"
He had spent none of the money on
Councilmen. Sometimes he treated his
orlando to cjpara and soft drinks hut lie
had made no speciality OF treating Copn-
cilmen during tile fight, They had treat
ed him as often as he had treated theln.
He was only employed to do what he
could In legitimate w'ty for the com
pany He had not employed anyone to
help him. though for faithful work he
had given Mr., ], p. Pettis s25 after the
fight was over.
Witness knew of no improper means
having been employed to get the orfl-
nance through,
Mr.. William Longan was summoned