The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-15


affairs of the home, the system in vogue
there in almshouse and hospital. and the
duties and authority of the various en-
ployes and officers.
When the inquiry first began it was
understood that the only reason for Sc
crecy was that no witness might know
precisely to what facts any other witness
had testified. 1t Is reliably stated, how
ever, that despite this understanding the
record of testimony of all the other wit
nesses has been submitted to Superin-
tendent George B. Davis and to DR., ]. G.
Trevilian, physician in charge.
Out of this scrutiny of the testimony of
other witnesses a spirited discussion and
conflict of authority will inevitably ensuo.
Already it is said that Superintendent
Davis has, since reading the testimony,
asserted that certain witnesses had tes-
titled to things which were untrue, and
that such witness or witnesses would
have to prove what he or they had as
serted.
He is further alleged to have stated
that employees who did testify to certain
things and failed to prove them should be
dismissed, and that he would so recon-
mend to the committee Mr.. Davis will,
it Is believed, take the stand this even
ing at s o'clock when the subcommittee
meets at the City Home. and it IS ex
pected that he will deny the testimony
of one or more witnesses as to the diet
furnished in the hospital, and will en-
deavor to refute 1t. Whether he will be
permitted to Introduce corroborative
testimony cannot be ascertained. 1t Is
presumed that the witnesses whose test-
mony he attempts to refute VIII be given
opportunity to justify their own state
ments and they, too, WILL therefore, be
tDtt,
their own.
In this way the investigation is likely
to drag along for days. If not weeks, yet
to come.
Getting Hot.
One thing is assured: The inquiry Is
getting hot and hotter, and before the
end Is going to develop some sharp con-
hicts Of testimony and raise questions
OF veracity.
A reporter for The Times-Dispatch yes
terday called on Superintendent Davis
and informed him that he was alleged to
have made substantially the statement
quoted as to the testimony of witnesses
being untrue and to have reported as
stated. He was asked If he cared either
to deny or affirm the report, and replied
that he had nothing to say; all the testi-
| mony adduced was In executive session.
he declared. and he did not deem 1t prop
er to discuss it in any way.
He firmly declined to make any state
mont, adding that II any information had
| gotten out it had not become public
| through him When questioned as to
whether or not he had stated that certain
witnesses would be dismissed unless they
| proved what they had asserted in testi-
| mony, he still declined TO make Il state
| ment saying that he would do SO at the
proper time. He declared that he courted
| the conclusion OF the inquiry and invited
the closest scrutiny of his official service
| and acts, reciting his long and honorable
service as superintendent, incidentally
| DR.. Ennion G. Williams. chairman OF
| the subcommittee conducting the inves-
| tgation, courteousy though firmly de-
clined TO be quoted in any way citing
tho prophecies of an executive inquiry
| to sustain him in refusing to talk.
He expressed the opinion that If any
evidence had leaked 1t had not been
i through the members Of the committee.
Meanwhile the crucial stage OF the In
vestigation is rapidly approaching and II
is likely that at to-nights session there
VIII be somes pirited discussion, as well
as some lively testimony.