The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-31
WERE AFTER
KING AGAIN
Crouch Says He Often Paid
Him for Contracts.
RECESS OF COMMITTEE
Body Adlourns to Meet After Sept.
10th on Call Of Chairman-Mr.
Caskie Says He Never Had
Free Phone Service.


telephone matter last night, disposed of
the subject of awarding some painting
contracts and adjourned to meet not ear
ier than September 10TH subject to the
call OF the chairman.
Mr.. +. c. Montague. manager OF the
Southern Bell Telephone Company here.
was anxious for the committee to report
on the phone matter before taking DIP
anything else. but the body in executive
session decided not to do this.
Mr.. C. 3. Crouch was the chief witness
last night He told how he had paid ex-.
Alderman John NJ. King money to get
the latter to secure painting contracts Tor
him, and in the course of his testimony
he said. Johnny was always after me,
and had to do something for him, or
l would never have been in 1t"
Mr.. James Caskie and others explained
to the committee their positions with
reference to free phone service, and it
appeared that the charge Of Is cents
against Mr.. Caskie was made on n WASH
ington call, when Captain w. H. Curtis
had talked to Mr.. Caskie from the Ma
tional Capital. The long recess will give
the committee time to look out for evil
dence, and the street car matter will
likely be taken UP next.
MIR. BOTTOMS TELEPHONING.
The committee was called to order at
$50 O'clock and the. chair laid before
the body a letter from Captain j. Taylor
Stratton. stating that the charge against
Mr.. Jackson Bolton Of having used the
long distance phone should have been
against the writer, as Mr. Bolton used
the phone at the instance Of the latter.
Mr. Lawrence Paul, a son-in-law and
partner Of the late Evan Snead, testified
that the two phones used by himself and
Mr. snead had been paid for each month,
and no free service had been given.
Mr.. James Caslie next testified. His
name was on the free list. He said he
desired to state In the most positive and
emphatic manner that he had never had
free phone service, either local or long
distance.
In January 1902, Captain W. H. Curtis,
who was in Washington, had talked to
the witness, who was here, and the con-
versation was about the James River
improvement appropriation. He was
never presented with any bill, He did
not know that he owed anything. The
charge was rs cents, and the call was
reversed and charged to the witness.
Captain ]. Taylor Stratton clerk of the
Street Committee, testified here as to the
passage Of the Cudahy spur track ordi-
nance and the records showed no report
back from the Ward Committee or thu
City Engineer, to whom the ordinance
was referred. Assistant Engineer Bolton
to whom Colonel Cutshaw referred the
matter, testified that he did not recall
having made any report, and that now
he knew tho spur track had been put in
without any report of the ordinance hapV-
Ing been made.
n - Il
Traction Company, testified that c. 3.
Crouch had written him a letter, saying
that if the company would give CROUCH
some painting to do, John NJ, King world
help the company. He hat learned later
that King had authorized the writing of
the letter, and he had declined the offer
In a letter to King.
The painting contract sought would
have amounted to several hundred dol
lars Crouch was not given the contract
&c do the work, Crouch had told the
superintendent Of the company, Mr.. Co
wardin, that II they would let him have
the contract for painting the barns.
King would assist the Traction Company
to get on Main Street. It appeared that
King had an indirect interest in the
paint concern represented by Mr.. Crouch.
Mr.. l.. NJ Williams was the next wit
ness, and his testimony corroborated
that of Mr.. Bemiss Mr. Williams and
Mr.. Il. r.. Cox had gone to King and
| learned from him that the latter would
stand by the Crouch letter to Mr.. Be-
miss. Mr. Cox was put on and his testi-
| mony was practically that of Mr.. VII
| liams'.
| Mr.. c. b, Crouch now took the stand.
rule had issued against him for nom
attendance upon the last meeting, but
it was dismissed after he had apologized
on the ground that he had been suffer-
| ing from n severe toothache.
ADMITTED EVERYTHING.
| The witness admitted everything to
which Messrs. Bemiss and Williams had
| testified, and said he saw no use In going
! into that matter any further. Witness
here testified as to a contract for some
painting at the Old Market. It was
three years ago and King had told wit
ness If he would put in bid he would
| allow witness to get the contract. Ills
| bid was the highest of all. He paid King
$50 to work the matter for him. lie saw
no other member of the Council, but had
left the whole thing to King Kings
| father-in-law was book-keeper for the
firm of the witness. at salary of $50
per month. King often got money from
tho firm, but never returned it. He had
given King IS and $40 for small con-
| tracts often, but these We're not for city
work. He said IL he had never seen
King he would be $1,000 better off
| SAID job NNY WAS AFTER HIM.
The memory of The witness was re-
freshed by Mr.. Pollard, and he said he
! had paid King some money for getting
! contract TO do some work for the Rich
! mond Passenger and Power Company.
Witness created some laughter by say
| ing: "Johnny was always after me. and
had to do something for him, or would
| here have been in It,"
After witness had testified as to I'm.
| material matters he was allowed to stand
| aside.
Mr., Joseph NJ, Rosenbaum, who was
| once partner of Crouch. testified as Ia
tho awarding of the Old Market contract
| At that time he was bidder, and was
the lowest one He would have made
100 per cent. had he gotten the contrac,
al his bid Mr. Rosenbaum was excused
and the committee took up some matters
In executive session, When the open ses'
sion was resumed the body adjourned lc
meet subject. TO the call OF the chairman
provided he shall issue no call, earlier
| than September 10th.