The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-21
TWELVE W|TNES SEES
FOR INVESTIGATION
continual from F.!rst Page.l

Ellison. benjamin Tnliaferro and Jesse
a. Lndd, of Nelson & Ladd.
The expert witnesses, to appear for
the people ARE Po.t-Oflicc Inspector
Bnlla, Il. A. Bnr!,er, Jr. J. G. Joplin.
of the First National Hank, ana City.
Auditor Warren, or his assistant.
1t is known, however. that there
are other witnesses on the reserve
list. who may be called to the stand.
There was a report yesterday that
an inmate from the City Home would
be produced, and that he would give
the name of the man whom he had
seen in the act of opening the bids.
II was said last night on authority
that there was absolutely nothing In
this.
Mystery of the Envelopes.
Most interest. of course. surrounds
the envelopes in which the bids were
submitted, which have been sealed and
carefully guarded in the City Hall for
more than month. They Will I'M
qiestionably show. 1t is claimed. that
the seals had been broken, carelessly
and clumsily. Proof or denial of this
charge will be given by the experts.
SO far as any alterations are concerned.
about the only phase OF that matter
with which the committee will deal is
the fact that one bid was sent in in
typewriter form. the figure at which
the contractor offered TO furnish the
wood being inserted with pen. The
investiga ton. however, will hinge upon
the condition of the envelopes. One
bid. for instance, was sealed like the
others but across the envelope was
written a statement that it was bid
for wood, the amount being there for
anybody to read. That envelope was
not broken.
Finger Prints Damaging.
1t is known that the mystery may
be solved by the imprint of mans
thumb. which is plainly discernible
OIL the mucilage, under the flap
Whether the committee will prosecute
the search on this alone is to be deter
mined later on. There are many de-
tails connected with the alleged scan
dal which a representative of The
Times Dispatch has picked up from
time to time, and 1t is just as we'll that
they should come to the public from
official sources. 1t may be said, how
ever, without doing violence to any
confidence. that whatever verdict may
be returned by the committee, the evil
dence will be sensational IL not start
ling. No one bid was lower than the
others. two being the same. and one
and the figure filled in with black ink
May Not Order Delay.
While the committee has been called
to meet this afternoon at Gao o'clock
some effort may be made to defer the
man Marx Gunst does not return to the
city. 1t was said at Mr. Gunst's res
idence last night that he was expected
home to-day IT will be Impossible,
however. to secure a full attendance al
all of the meetings. and as there Is q
general desire to Clear up the matter
al the earliest practicable time. 1t Is
doubtful If any delay will be granted
especially as the witnesses will be
present ready to answer questions.
Superintendent Davis has been espe-
cially anxious for immediate consid-
Grafton. and he has not lost an OPP
portunity to declare that he urgent
~ demands a public hearing.
5Iuch Ground to Cover.
one session of the committee may
not be sufficient for the examina-
ton Of all witnesses, and II the in
vestigation IS not concluded tonight
the second session will be called with
In the next few days. at tho con-
venience of the members. IT the re-
serve witnesses are asked to explain
certain features OF the inquiry the
hearing may be extended for several
days. as an inspection of the en-
Ivelopes alone may require at least
an hour.
The Committee on Relief.of the Poor
lis composed Of the following members
From tho Board or Aldermen--T, H
Elicit. Marx Gunst. John L.. satter-
| field, C, u. Larus.
From the Common Council A
Hohson. p. W. Miner, Z. G. Williams