Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-01
THE CLOSING SESSION
Investigation Of Charges
Against Supt. Stutler.
BRIEF TO BE FILED
MRS. ROYAL ROBINSON THE LAST
WITNESS.
Testifes Regarding Alleged Loan
Files Two Letters Which She Found
Among Her Husbands Papers.
BRIEF TO BE FILED

The closing session of the Stutler inquiry
which was held late yesterday afternoon,
developed a new piece of circumstantial evil
dence. Mrs. c, Belle Robinson, wife of Royal
Robinson, the former street sweeping con-
tractor who preferred the charges of black
mail and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. against Super
intendent Stutler of the street cleaning de-
partment, was the only witness examined.
Her testimony was not regarded as having
any important bearing on the hearing, as
1t was principally hearsay evidence and the
witness was unable to fix, even approx
mately, the dates of any alleged incidents
she mentioned as occurring. with the excep-
tion Of a conversation alleged TO have taken
place between Mr.. John NJ Lilly and Mr..
Robinson.
At the close Of her testimony, however
Mrs. Robinson presented to the Commission
ers two letters purporting to be written by
Mr.. Lilly to Mr.. Robinson, and asked that
the letters be received in evidence. One of
the letters was dated at Indianapolis jan
uary /. 1000, and contained a reference -
"the $500 which Mr.. Robinson, during the
inquiry, declared he and Mr. Lilly had
loaned to Superintendent Stutler during
1899. The other letter was dated at Paris
and supposedly was written since Mr. Lilly
went there few months ago This COM
munication contains reference to the Slut
Ter investigation and to the alleged finan-
c!al transactions between the former con-
tractors and Stutler.
Counsel for Mr.. Stutler objected to the
admission of these letters In evidence, but
the Commissioners. after consultation, de-
cded to receive them as testimony with ref
erence to the matters alleged.
Text of the Two Letters.
The first letter read was written on q
letter head of Mr.. Lilly's dated at In
dianapolis, January !. 1900 The body Of the
communication and the signature also are
typewriter. The reference in this letter to
Mr.. Stutler is as follows:
I'm several talks 1 had with Mr. Stutler
he assured me there would always be ma
chine cleaning done by contractors. but that
he was determined to get absolute control
of the hand cleaning and handle 1t from his
office without contractors. l think he
means to get the alleys and improved
streets as well. Go and have a talk with
him, and say you hope to continue as a
contractor In Washington. Mention the
$3.50. and interest incidentally, as charity
seems to get very near home these days.
could find good place for that little piece
or money without considering him at ALL
The rest OF the letter refers to personal
matters. One line reads: Am afraid we
viii have to go to Buffalo and give
chance to hire a slugger to eat us blood
of straight steal"
Reference to Stutler Inquiry.
The second letter is dated Hotel d'Iena.
Paris. October 70. with no year given. 1t
starts out at once in a discussion of the
Stutler matter, as follows:
Dear Mr.. Robinson: Your letter Just to
hand. do not suppose that you expected
this outcome when you told Dodge of the
money items. l am afraid you will be mis-
Judged in Washington. as folks will say the
reason for the charges was you were sore
from being held up by Stutler. but we will
see what comes. 1 have no word from
West, as yet, and. of course, have not made
any plans for my letter 10 him; time enough
when he writes. which 1 hope he forgets,
as did not. and do not want to be drawn
into the matter Stut.ar must have an ex-
ceptionally strong pun to hold his job after
the thorough ventilation With which you
favored him in the late investigation"
The rest OF the letter Is devoted to q de-