The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-13
Resolution Maybe Short
ly Offered to Look Into
Lanier-Upshur Case
is NOV UNDER
SERIOUS AMUSEMENT
Not Known Who Will Offer 1t,
or in Which Branch Ii Will
start-Members Sought
Record From Clerk
Upshur, and Have
Seen 1t.

Legislative and political circles have
been set agog by a report which is al
most certainly true. that joint resolu-
tion will shortly be offered in the Cen
eral Assembly, calling for sweeping
investigation into the affairs Of the State
Corporation Commission.
While no one who has given attention
to the matter is In position to say
just who will offer the resolution. II 1t
should be offered yet those In a POSI-
tlon to know are OF opinion that the In
quiry VIII be made. and that it will he
especially directed along the line of the
trouble that grew out OF the formation
of the Virginia Corporation Commission
uncorporated). In which Major a. s.
1anier. then a clerk IN the commission,
was an officer.
Inherent is added to the affair by rea-
son of the fact that Mr.. John A. Upshur.
first clerk TO the commission. has fur
nished the record of the matter TO GER
tain members OF the General Assembly.
and that It is upon this information that
the proposed inquiry will be had.
Showed the Records.
When asked concerning the subject
last night. Mr. Epshur said that he had
shown tile record to members who had
1'sN
matter for them 10 deal With es they
saw fiji. He would not discuss 1t further
than this, though he did call the names
OF at least three members who had,
upon request. been shown what he has
In his possession bearing OH the subject.
AT least one member admitted that he
had gone over the entire matter care
fully, and that With him at the time
were Mr.. Upshur and several of his coll
lear Ia CnitiG mr.. p1aitivaIy
what would be DONE but talks with him
and several others Indicated that the
subject is even now under serious adj
Isyisetnent With Indications That reso-
luton calling for q joint committee OF
Investigation may be offered any day.
II the resolution Is offered 1t will pro-
yoke a spirited II not n bitter controversy
In whichever branch it may originate
The report made by Mr.. Upshur to the
commission concerning Major Lanier's
connection with the Virginia Corporation
Company dnc.). II is understood is what
the members have been shown. and mas
much as the contents of this paper have
never been made public, what they read
was news to them.
Declines to Talk.
Judge Beverly r. Crump. chairman of
the commission. was seen last night and
asked If he had any statement to make
concerning the suggested Investigation
He replied in the negative and declared
he would say nothing whatever relating
IN any manner to II.
The trouble in the commission which
grew out OF Major Laniers connection
with the Virginia Corporation Company
(lnc.). and which led up to the retirement
OF the former as clerk in the commits
son was much discussed at the time.
ut, Familiar
the public.
A suit is now pending III the Law and
Equity Court. instituted against Mr.. Up
shur by Major Lanier. In which the latter
seeks damages for alleged libel.
In the Incorporation OF Major Lanier's
company, Judge Crunlp took one share OF
stock, the par value OF which was 500.
the company having been capitalized at
$2, 900 Judge Crlimp stated that the
stock had been taken with the sole idea
Of helping Major Lanisr in an enterprise
which he regarded as 4 proper one
Would Take Much Time.
lust what scope will be given to the
investigation, II it is had. and what the
mover and advocates of the resolution
will seek 70 bring out Is not known bur
It lis believed they will undertake to show
that the laws putting the commission
into force need some amendments, IN
order 10 guard against the possibility or
loose methods, which, 1t Is claimed, may
obtain without the knowledge of the
commission sif
Major I,anicr said last night that he
Fcourted the fullest investigation: that he
lad nothing whatever TO fear. He would
Welcome the most searching investiga-
tion of his acts at.any period of his life.