The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-01
MAYOR AND CANNON
IN LIVELY T|LTS
Much Feeling Displayed
at First Session of
Committee.
-
INVES ESTIGATION
is BARELY BEGUN
Mayor Says Hc Heard Member
Of Finance Committee Re-
mark That it Didn't Make
D--d Bit Of Difference
Whether Charter Was
Violated or Not"

The special 3oint committee of City
Council. authorized by resolution to
Investigate certain charges made by
Mayor Mccarthy In recent addresses
with reference TO the Finance Commit
tee and certain transactions involving
the destruction OF city bonds and the
sale of others below par, last night be-.
gan its work. II is but a simple state
ment of the fact when 1t is said that
the inquiry was begun. Little more was
accomplished last night. In fact. at the
rate of progress made the conclusion
OF the investigation is far distant, and
the record VIII be voluminous.
Without definitely determining Its
procedure the committee called upon
the Mayor to make his statement. He
was not sworn, and he was not told
that he was to undergo legal cross
examination or that he was on the wit
ness stand. He was not asked II he de-
sired counsel, nor was he informed that
the Finance Committee would appear
by counsel and claim the right of ex-
animation. cross examination and re-
examination. He made a somewhat long
and Enthusiastically vigorous state
nlent OF the first transaction under In
vcstigatIon. the charge that the Fin
ancc Committee violated the charter
in making up an annual budget or ap-
preparation ordinance. In This state
ment he denied nothing, hut reiterated
his assertion and challenged refuta-
ton of II.
Refused to Answer.
When the Mayor had resumed his
seat. Mr. James T. Cannon. member
OF the Finance Committee, questioned
the Mayor, beginning by asking MN
how long he was special accountant
before he was Mayor; then asking
whether he Intended all his remarks
relative TO derelictions and omissions
of the Finance Committee to apply 10
the present committee. Win these as
beginning he produced copy OF me
Times Dispatch and proceeded To rean q
therefrom excerpts from n report OF
a speech by the Mayor before the local
T p A. and to question him as 10
whether or not he made certain state
ments therein attributed 70 MIN. me
examination was proceediN quletiy
Mr. Cannon framing mis- qSostfontt WITH
rb.racterIstic deliberateness, when he
asked II the Mayor intended to say or
to imply or TO intimate certain thihss.
Al this point the Mayor interrupted
with a point blank refusal to answer
declaring that Mr.. Cannon ana the
committee had nothing to do with what
siuuate. Mr. Cannon insisted upon an
answer. and appealed to the CITY AZ
torney for his opinion as 10 wne.''..
the Mayor could not be compeiiea u
answer. -, .aar
,nn,moned as a witness, here explained
that his son was member OF 'he
Finance Committee. and that na
deemed 1T manifestly improper to ac'
as attorney and adviser OF the COM
mittee He reminded the committee
that there were able attorneys whose
preaence and services might be ob'alheo'
hu, begged to be excused from par
ticipating as counsel In the affair.
Tho attorney was excused, and Chair
man Richardson stated that the III
ouiry was developing into an investi-
cation of various statements ny the
Mayor. and held that the specific
clause of the resolution under which
the committee was proceeding was tbs
charge that the committee violated
the charter in making up the annua
budget. This ruling precipitated
vigorous and stormy protest from Mr.
Cannon, Mr.. Pollard. Mr. Dabney ant
Mr.. Mills, but the chairman adhered
10 his ruling, adding that the commit
tee would have thcil; turn in due time
Cross-Examincd Mayor.
Meanwhile g. recess had been moved
and agreed to, in order that the mem
bers of the Finance Committee might
formulate their policy Wit, respect tt
the investigation. and it was after thi.
that Mr. Cannon assumed the role o
rross-eNaminer. He explained that a!
some Of the members We're not sum
moned. and were not present ant
others were there by accident, he
I, inns q nd hos
members who We're present in the In
yestigation,
The ross-eXamination of the Mayor
4. consumed the remainder of the even
ing, with the result that little NOR.
was accomplished than the develop
ment of series of more or less spicy
colloquies and the manifestation Of M
little feeling at times on the part o
Mr.. Cannon, Mr.. II. X. Pollard. Lr, thu
Mayor and Messrs. Dabney and Mills
Chairman Wood. of the Finance Com
mittee. had not a word to say. ~
other members of the Finance Com
mfttee We're present. When adjourn
ment was had practically nothing
more than statement of the aharg
as to making up the budget had becl
covered, the remainder being taken vi
in a series of direct or Hypothetical
questions by Mr.. Cannon, designed t
make tho Mayor specify Just what h
said. Just what he meant, and in wha
respects the Finance Committee lla
violated the charter If at all, an,
what tho committee might or shoul
have done. Oftan before the long ques
tions of Mr.. CanNon were framed, tn
Mayer was ypatAi With a reply. some
times. followii.s 1t up with state
ment. and occ. aionnlly an argrmenta
tive ore, settin. forth his moaning O
his views. Frequently he declined t
answer certain questions. explainin
that the Finance Committee had moth
ing to do with that Again he woul
refuse to allow Mr., Cannon to max
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