The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-06-05

MAs OuAADO NIL UO1J
TO TELL JOKES
g., N. and L. ROAD STOOD BY THE
GOVERNOR.
President Childs Positively Refuses to
Answer Questions Put to Him
by Investigating Com
mittee.
Greenville News.
Columbia, S. c., June 1.-"By
God, l IN not going to tell you. -
This was the. expression of w. G..
Childs, one of Columbia s most promi-
ment citizens, when Mr.. Lyon pressed
him to recite some Of the "jokes" he
had heard about whiskey rebates.
Mr. Childs stood to his determina-
tion not to repeat what he had heard
because he felt that it might involve
those who were entirely innocent and
he did not think it right nor proper
to repeat conversations of this charac-
ter He suggested that he would rath-
er go to Jail and rot there than re-
peat private conversations, or jokes
on whiskey rebates of things of that
kind; and being the man that he is
he means every word he says.
Mr.. Lyon was evidently disgusted
and stated that he was through with
Mr.. Childs and that the committee
might itself take up the examination.
Mr.. Hay then promptly said: "Mr
Childs you are eXcused.'
At the executive session rules we're
issued for Mr.. Childs to show cause
why heshould not be ruled for con-
tempt The rule is returnable next
Tuesday. When the committee meets
again. Mr.. Childs got up, and while
he was leaving the room said that
he would never answer such ques-
tions, but if the committee wanted
any proper information from him or
wished to communicate further with
him that he could be found at his
office at any hour.
Mr.. Childs, who is man of most
even temper and equitable DISPOSE
ton, evidently got very much provok
ed when Mr.. Lyon pressed him to
know what the stories or jokes were.
Mr.. Lyon said that he had no idea
what they we're, but thought if they
were related that the committee might
then be the judge Of the relevancy of
the testimony. But Mr.. Childs stood
pat and that ended the incident At
the time Mr. Lyon suggested that the
committee might determine whether
the question might be pressed, but
Chairman Hay said that he thought
the matter had better be pursued, if
at all, in executive session. Mr.. Childs
is president of the Columbia, New
berry and Laurens Railroad. and is
also president of the Bank of Column
bia. He is man of force and charac-
ter. He had no right to lug anything
into the evidence he gave that was
not necessary. Mr.. Childs was the
first and only witness presented dur
ing the day. Here are some snat"hes
from his testimony.
Mr. Childs was asked if his road
did not get a. large portion Of the dis
pensary freights. He did not know
the comparative business. Then Mr..
Lyon asked:
O-Now, Mr. Childs, you keep up,
7 presume, with the freights that pass
over these lines. You have a general
knowledge on the subject Of freight
that comes into the State Of South
Carolina.
Al have a general knowledge OF
what comes in on my road. do not
know about anybody's else.
Q-What percentage of the dispen-
sary business do you handler
Al haven't the slightest idea.
~ Q-Have you any idea about what
your road handles at all9 ...r
-. A.-No. That would be a matter
: for the auditing department. TIe
could figure it up for You without any
trouble.
Q--Is it not matter Of belief that
your robd handles the larger part OF
the freight that comes into the dis
pensary7 IS