The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-16

quaintance with single member
of the library staff, with the ok
ceptlon OF the librarian, until they
were summoned before mo off,
cially. The information received
which inspired tho investigations
Of the library came from sources
entirely unconnected with the
library The members OF the stan
We're interrogated by me and res
CURED to give the information
sought
There were, for instance, persis-
tent rumors which reached me from
Washington and Richmond to the
effect that Mr.. Kennedy had been
making personal traffic In valuable
manuscripts and rare books.
asked Mr.. Evans II he knew OF any
such transaction, and in response
to this inquiry he stated that he
knew Of the purchase of Burk's
History of Virginia from Mr..
Birdsong for $40 and the subse-
qucnt sale of the same for $40.
then asked IL there was any corr
respondence on file concerning this
transactions. Mr.. Evans replied
that there was. then requested
him to get this correspondence and
show 1T to me, which he did. I
then caused copies of this corre-
spondence to be made, and In my
presence and in the presence .of
Mr.. Evans these copies were COM
pared with tho originals by Mr.
Jeter, the clerk OF our committees,
who certified that the copies were
accurate copies OF the originals.
After obtaining these certified
copies requested Mr.. Evans to
return the original papers to the
file. and was subsequently informed
that he had done so.
Recently have been informed that
this correspondence has disappeared
from the file. OF this have no per-
sonal knowledge. My recollection Is
that requested Mr., Evans to show,
the original correspondence to my col-
league, Mr.. Cox. and that Mr.. Cox
was present when the copies were cer-
titled by Mr.. Jeter. ! wish TO say
positively that neither Mr.. Evans, MT
Berkeley. DIR. Eckenrode. Mr.. Tor
rance or Mrs. Minor volunteered any
information whatever. All the infor-g
nation elected from the ahove-men-4
toned members of the library stan
+ was gained by mo In my capacity as
chairman OF the committee. and was
not had until In such capacity had
demanded specific Information.
If there was any impropHety In
making public these matters the
blame should fall upon the investigat-
ing committee, and not upon persons
who gave testimony under COm-
=,
+ do not question tho power OF your
board to dismiss your employees at
your pleasure, but cannot. as q cit-l
izen or member Of the General AS
/ sembly OF Virginia, regard with un-
concern n suggestion that public ser-
wants are to be punished for supply
ing Information which they could not
legally withhold, and for giving testi-
mony In response to subpoena Of
y the State.
Assuming full responsibility for the
conduct OF the examination. I think
1t my duty 70 lay these facts before
you, to the end that subordinate oiil-
aials may be held responsible for their
own offenses. II they have committed
any, but not punished for giving tes-
timony before my committee,
My talk over tho phone yesterday
was my first communication with you
upon the subject. You are at liberty
to make any use az this letter you
( geo fit Sincerely,
(Slgned) 4
RICHARD EVELYN BYRD,
Chairman schoolbook Committed.
The board waited for some time for III
". n Nichols, who sold Mr., Kennady Il
l'atrobe manuscript, and who was invite
70 testlfy. but finally a letter came fro
him, saying he did not care Ia appaar
The board then went into executive se
sion, and after celebrating for a VIII
gave out a statement saying that i
final action would be taken before Al,
Sth n -Nb'
The three out-of-town members Ia
for their homes on afternoon trains.