The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-07
RUMoRs CHARGE FRAUD
Gunter, Lobman and Me-
 Intyre to Investigate.
Resolution Authorizing Mayor Joseph to Buy the Property for $s,ooo is Recalled and Local
 Sensation is Promised.


 To investigate reports charging frau9u- lent action of city officials in the recent passage by the Montgomery City Council of a resolution, authorizing the purchase of a gravel pit from John c. Carter for H.oOO, special committee of the City Council will meet and will examine per sons who are said to have knowledge of the illicit transactions.
 The committee which will investigate the reports was raised by a resolution introduced at a special meeting Of the Council last night. This resolution was adopted by unanimous vote of the Coun, eii on motion of Alderman Gaston Gum ter of Ward 1. who was one of the mem bers of the Council to vote for the pur- chase of the gravel pit. The resolution also rescinded the previous action of the Council.
 Immediately after the passage of the resolution, President David Fleming or the coyncn announced that the investiz xating committee would consist of Alder men Gaston Gunter, Ward 1; Nathan Lobman, Ward 8. and c. P. McIntyre' Ward {.
 May Meet TodAs@r's,ssgs
 Alderman Gunter. author of the rcsoiu- tion. said the committee might meet to- day to begin the work before it;
 The resolution authorizing the purchase of the Carter gravel pit, four miles north of the city, for ss.OOC. was adopted by the Council at its regular meeting Monday night. It was reported favorabiy by majority membership of a select commit tee. of which Alderman Paul Roeder or Ward 5 was chairman. The vote on the resolution was as follows:
 Ayes-Messrs Fleming. Gunter, Hart ley. Haygood, Johnson, May, Roeder and Toole-S.
 Nays-Messrs. Anderson, Farley, kohn' Lobman. Mcintyre and Rushton-s.
 Aldermen Hudson was absent from the meeting. ...
 A sensational feature of this regular meeting of the Council was it's refusal to hear from Mayor-elect Thomas H. Carr. who, it was understood, desired to oppose the resolution. Alderman Gunter called attention to the presence in the lobby of the Mayor-elect and asked for unanl- nous consent to accord him the floor. Alderman Roeder, chairman of the select committee, objected and the resolution was adopted after Alderman John P. Kohn of Ward had registered vigor- ous protest against it.
 Many Rumors Rife. Since the passage of the resolutions. rumors have been rife in Montgomery about fraudulent practices. It has been saId boldly that either Aldermen or city officials were bribed. ..t
 At the council meeting last night, Al- derman Gunter arose and said that he had heard these rumors. He had voted for the purchase, he said, because in his opinion the ownership of a gravel pit at 5000 would be a paying investment for the city. He gave his reasons for this belief Alderman Gunter said, however, that these rumors had gone out and a stigma rested on the council. He there foie advocated the appointment of a committee to investigate the rumors and if aIKY member of the council was found guilet of having received bribe Dr was guilty of other fraudulent action, im- peachment proceedings should at once be brought against him.
 In an instant Alderman Paul Roeder was on his feet. He said he agreed with everything Mir Gunter had said. He sec onded the resolution and it was adopted by unanimous vote.
 The Gunter Resolution.
 The full text of the Gunter resolution is as follows: t...-.
 Whereas it is currently reported that parties who have knowledge of fraud upon the city in the recent purchase of a gravel pit for the city, and claim that such fraud exists duplicating members of the City Council of Montgomery.
 And whereas if such fraud exists and any members of the Council are impli- cated. thev should be punished. Now. in order t. .t said report may be investigat- ed and in order to facilitate the investi- gation thereof. be it resolved by the City Council of Montgomery as follows:
 Section l. That the President If the Council be and is hereby authorized and directed to appoint a committee consist ing of three memerhs of the City Councl. one of whom shall be Of those members who voted for the purchase of the gravel pit, and the other two of whom shall be of those who voted aganst the purchase of the gravel pit.
 Sec. 2 That 1t shall be the duty of such committeee immediately on, being named, to organize and elect chairman named. to organize and elect chairmsi thereof, who shah preside at its meet ings; and said committee shall forthwith nroceed to investigate the gravel pit transaction. and is hereby directed ttat fin case there may be found any member of the City Council voting for or against Ah.. naia r,,r..hasA nS said nlf having OF