The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-17
OF
BELL MONEY
Four Witnesses Heard by the
Municipal Committee.
CAUSED MUCH MERRlMENT
Messrs. Manning, Leamen, Shield and
Epps Explain that They Did Legit-
innate Work to Earn the
Fees.
CAUSED MUCH MERRIMENT
Messrs Manning, Leamen. Shield and

Messrs. Chris. Manning, Jr.. Phil.
SHIELD. John e. Epps and w. P. Leaman.
whom Colonel Hunt Chipley mentioned
in his testimony aa having received
money to influence public opinion in
favor Of the Bell franchise, testified be-
fore the Council Investigation Commit
tee last night. Thees witnesses all ad-
mitted having received various amounts
from the Bell Company, but it was for
work done, and not a. cent of It. according
to testimony, was used improperly, paid
to members of the Council or otherwise.
The proceedings were exceedingly inter-
esting. however. and statements and an
swers by witnesses were often very
amusing. Chairman Mlor had frequently
to use his gavei to stay the n1erriment.
Mr.. Manning made the best witness OF
the evening. in the sense OF telling more
about the nature Of the work done, Mr..
Leaman made an exceedingly amusing
witness, but no one succeeded in getting
anything Of consequence to the committee
out Of him..
According to their own statements
amounts as follows were received from
the Bell Company; Christopher Manning,
Jr., s1,lo0; Phil SHIELD, 5000; John E.
Epps. sheriff, $500; W. p. Leaman, $3.50.
How He Spent It.
Mr.. Manning put his in bank, and has
some OF 1t yet. Mr.. SHIELD has spent all
of his. but none on Councilmen; Mr.. Epps
spent his knocking about, but none on
Councilmen, except to treat those who
treated him.
Mr.. Leaman did not spend any of his
on Councilmen. The committee did not
get to work until after 10 o'clock. wait
ing until after the Council had adjourned.
Every member of the body was present
when Chairman Minor called 1t to order.
The chairman at the offset laid two let
ters before the committee from Mr.. Fair
fax Montague and one from Mayor Tay-
lor
Mayor Taylor's letter relating to his
5.sori's connection ea.li thf Bell Company
has already been printed IN this paper.
One OF Mr.. Montague's letters referred
to this communication, saying that he
did not testify that the Mayor had re-
quested position for his son, but sim
ply and only that when he came to the
Richmond office a son OF the Mayor was
employed there as collector. The other
letter Of Mr.. Montague's reiterated that
the letter addressed to him some time
ago from Thomason and Minor, asking
for a position for Mr.. w. II. Minor. did
come from Mr.. John B.. Minor. chair
man OF the committee. 1t was brought
out by Mr.. Minor that the request was
made after the franchise had been
granted, and he did not recollect whether
at that time he was a member OF the
Council The three communications were
filed as part of the record.
Mr.. Manning Testifies.
Mr.. Chris. Manning, Jr. police COM
missioner, was called and duly sworn
as the first witness. Mr.. Manning gave
his testimony in a most convincing way
and made fine impression.
"Mr. Manning" said Mr.. Pollard. your
name has been given the committee as
one who received money from the Bell
Company to influence public opinion In
favor Of franchise for the company.
Is that true?'
ming, but would like to tell you all
! know about it in my own way
Mr.. Manning. Mr.. Pollard asenting, told
how he first met Colonel Chipley. It was
more than ten years ago, probably in 1889
that witness, Mr.. Edgar ferguson, who
is a memhs- of the Investigating Com
mittee, and Mr.. John z. Epps. were on
their way TO New York on a pleasure
trip. Going over from Jersey City on the
same boat was Mr., Chipley. he was In
troduced TO him. but very few words