The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-11
MR.. KENNEDY APPEARS.
Librarian Vigorously Denies
Statements of Bell and Evans.

I
Librarian J. p. Kennedy came in at
AGO O'Clock, and Mr.. Eggleston suspend
cd and Mr.. Kennedy took the stand
lie apologized for being away and ex-
pressed his pleasure that the chairman's
telegram reached him. for he said he was
! glad az the opportunity 20 answer the
statements that had been made concern
ing him.
II would like TO say first" ne com
menced. that not a cent is paid out OF
tho library fund until the account is thor
oughly scrutinized by the board. and no
board is I'm closer touch with any de-
partlnent than the Library Board
No purchase OF over S25 IS made with
out consultation with and tile fun con-
sent Of the board
Mr.. Kennedy had n marked copy OF
The Iimes-Dispatch before him ard he
used # in his statement. often reading
from IT,
Referring to MT. Bcus statement sbout
MINER a Rhoads selling books cheaper
IMAM tho same books had been bought
/ by witness IN New York. the latter said
this may have been true Of a,tion. and
mat department stores used these as adj
NeTtsements, and did not expect to make
| money on them. They would sell then,
( cheaper than Mr. Bel could do
Not a single tiue.' he said. (which
was referred 70. as I recall. was any
! thing but a novel"
We have paid BELL 0s eor all the
novels we ever bought from his house
and all these books can be bought IN New,
York TOR uinety-fve cents
Nearly All Spent Here.
, have spent eighty-two per cent. %
INC money appropriated 70 the library
iund in the state Of Virginia
A large Part Of mat was for salaries.
was Il not.' asked Mt Byrd
[ sir fnfrf-
FOR salaries but NOT a large part. yva
published tte records Of tho Horeo ~
Burgesses in Richmond at a slightly nigh
er hsure Khan We could get the work
zone Tor elsewhere. The fact that Won
can buy books for fifty cents at "a 10
rartment store by piecemeql is nor s,,s-
ic'ent answer when a large quantity ~
BOOKS should Pc bought 1T once
ne i'eIa- tment Of Public Instruction
Inaue up ~" list and we got II ONLY,
r."ItN days after the schools lad started
lt was an admirable list and viii stand
the test anywhere There vyoro 49,, ,s,.
app ions FOR travelling libraries and
.ie in@li brought inquiries every d.,- as
20 When tho books were coming THE
."ieey determined the course ~ tba
Doste Z" send mo TO New York. without
""+''llS 10 advertise. which would have
caused delay. This delay would b,,.o w..
I'e' us from putting out these libra
RES for ut least SIX weeks.
/ d., l-'.ii'''.inS the matter OF calling FOR
-, ,' 'E- were ever bought on 4
it.. l''iN defined system. We got the
.'S' rom me highest authority ana bod
/ no discretion whatever I'm the Mt. u,
Couldn't Get Service
Witness denied that S15 M ia
9I."l i9r books for travelling Iibrariee
ana sa'i $500 would exceed the ano-lnt
re SAID only about 1920 worth OF bool,,
!,"u been bought of Putnam q 60 in
/ the las five Years
nave q statement here" he said
$40 wing that we have bought books
from Ii3 firms have been TO Mr. Reu
! """ ar Hunter often. and asked them
10 tsta'ilsh agencies in New York and
We would n0tronize them. but il was NOT
zone have been to Bell often for
DOCKS. auH Io aid not have them
/ can wire New York at night and get a
/ nook here the next day. We can't get
/ that service re II isn't here 10 get
OHer Not from Putnam.
Witness vigorously denied that he had
/ pald lr per cent profit on books bought
/ l' the N1rt 81 don't believe it,, he
said. sharply -and am prepared to dis
/ prove ~ now call upon Mr.. Bell to
/ prove ais statement. and until he does.
nave nothing further TO say on the
Witness praised the Putnams as bust
ness concern. but said in some respects
ne did not H1o them Tie now took up
Mr. kerkeIe' s tastImony. and denied that
any OF tfo bills for books for the travel
ing library haa been paid
nov. lr Evans makes the state
in'hI Ne said. chat Putnam offered me
$500" o. vitr history OF Virginia. and
sent ine a cr~.6 for $500.
MI- l.'Hrs- memory Is terribly az !
lt1li oie stote in the presence Of Mr.
evans ana others that ] had had such
an one'- mat check for $500 had been
sent a'd t.at had returned the check
li' asked me If it was Putnam who
mace i.r OVER. and told him il was nor
Ana / r'R say to YOU that neither
iuihiN h.r Hnt other concern from
Wl'm No .ate bought books made me
amy such ol.-
nave DID, urht to write a history II
caro- l'. 'n f"r onn time but ] would not
''ntr"o vi 0rm with which We arc
''iiH n to write a book without
N'at tnc consent Of the board
eno '-' act.'. Of the Attorney General /
ii "non 4 i..e great confidence.
Sharp Colloquy.
haEo SUCH au offer. but / repeat. st I
whom So. ial bought books"
ar Kennedy" intcrposed Chairman,
hyr1 would you object to telling the
committee Wttt firm or person made you
'''' "tcr t1 NIlte the history
"aH approached by a friend Of mine /
.'N".' enterprise. do not care TO F.
''N' N known. I do positively say. /
'"'N'' i'f 10 was not any publishing !
,'"p"n1 We nave ever bought any books |
-4S-' 4 REUSED positively to write It,