The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-06
.GUNST WANTED
SPECIFIC FACT S.
Allegation That Bids for Sup
plies Were Opened Between
Filing and Committees
Opening Timc-Com
Gil Approves Vote
for Inquiry.


Poor by a vote OF ! to g. last night
adopted resolutions to Investigate the
sensational charge preferred by Coun-
Gilman Graham b. lIo bison that bids
submitted for City Home supplies for
the year ending September i 1908. had
been tampercd with between the time
of fling and opening in public.
No sooner had the resolutions been
presented than the storm broke. AL
dcrman Marx Gunst led the forces op-
posed TO the investiga ii on and he dld
so. as lie explained, because he con-
sidercd II unfair TO drag forth every
silly charge" not backed up by proper
evidence. when 1t would reflect upon
the integrity of city officials. Heywas
perfectly willing to go to the. bottom
when the facts warranted 1t, and he
wanted 1t understood that he would
not be dra gged into the affair unless
Mr. Hobson was more specific ana
would shoulder responsibility for the
allegations.
Invited Investigations.
In their original shape the resolu-
tions began, ~ hereas, 1t has been
charged in meeting of the com
mittee." and so forth. and Mr.. Gunst
objected violently to that phraseolosy.
He insisted that Mr.. Hobson or some
other man be mentioned as the author
OF the charges, and when that had
been done, he said, he would be de-
lighted TO vote for the investigation.
There was rambling. biting discus
sion on Mr.. Gunst's motion to amend
by making Mr.. Hobson the father of
the charge, and in the midst of 1t
superintendent Davis, who was pres
ent, arose amid the confusion, and
declared that he wanted the vote on
the investigation be made unanimous.
go back as far as ynr like. said
Mr. Davis. Go back ten years. and
we will give you every opportunity
| TO get at the truth
You can do as you please about
ordering this Investigation" shouted
Mr.. Hobson, but l put you on notice
that whether you order it or not l
shall carry 1t to the floor of Council
The fact that the resolution had
l.not been signed was seized by Mr..
Gunst as one method of attack.
Give 1t here. then said Mr.. Hob,
son. "and Ill put my name on It,"
Mr.. Gunst went on to say that he
wanted 1t stated specifically that these
Il"hints at crookedness" had been put
forward by Mr. Hobson.
Mr.. Hobson refused to accept any
amendment providing for inquiry as to
certain supplies. Il want the matter
acted upon one way or the other to-
night" he said. II am responsible for
the resolution, but am not going TO
| give away my evidence now.
The whole discussion was brief Just
before the vote was taken on the Gunst
amendment-that the investigation
! should relate to coal, wood. hauling
| and delivery-Clerk OF Council August
interrupted the stormy scene with a
| donna nd from the president of the Com
mon Council that the members proceed
| To the chamber. There was motion
to adjourn, but 1t was quickly killed.
| Finally there was a call for vote on
| the Gunst amendment, and 1t was de-
| feated, four to three.
Then the resolution proper was taken
| up and passed by a vote Of four to
| three. It reads as follows:
Whereas. 1t has been charged by
| Mr. Graham IL. IIObsOn In n meet
! Ing, of the Committee on ltclief of
the Poor that the bids advertised
| for md submitted 1Or supplies for
| the year ending September /, 1905,
were tnmrercd with, If not altered,
| between the time OF tlcir being
filed and the opening of the same
| In the presence jOf the committee; E
now, therefore, be 1t
Resolved by the Council of the
ely OF Richmond, the board of Al
dermcn cOncurrlnE, That the COM
mittcc on Relief OF the Poor be,
/ and they are hereby, authorized
i and directed to Investigate the
truth of said charge, and make
! report thereon to either branch of
the Council, ana In making such
Investigations the said committee
l shall he authorized to order the nt-
tendance of any person as II witt
ness, and the production by any
person OF NIL proper books aud pa
pcrs in his possession relating to
the same, and nlI witnesses appear
Ing before said committee In such
investigation may be sworn by he
officer presiding nj such invcstiEn-
tiOn.
Immediately after the vote themeet-
Ing adjourned, and In Council the re.
port came up and was adopted. The
4 appropriation of 500, If SO much be