The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-26
CITY HOME SCANDAL
IS REVIVED AGAIN.
Superin dent Davis
Wants Grand Jury to
Go Into Case.
SENDS LETTER
TO JUDGE WITT
Also Urges Commemorative At
torney Folkes to Prosecute
the Grafters-Lovenstein
Leaves Town--Davis
Appeals to the
Council.


reached it's most sensational stage was
shown yesterday by the announcement
that Superintendent George B. Davis
had written to Judge Witt and Com
monwealth's Attorney Folkes, urging
them to have the grand jury investi-
gate more thoroughly the evidence
that bids had been tampered with, the
Hobson charges having been fully es-
tablished. Judge Witt is out of the
city. Mr.. Folkes said last night that
he had not received the letter. ETe was
not willing to discuss n matter which.
must have his attention officially with
in the next few days.
.1n the letters which / mailed to-.
day" said Mr.. Davis last night, III
urged that further effort be made to-
find the men guilty OF opening the
bids. / do not believe that the case
should end with the dismissal of Mr..
letter to Council. 1 have urged the
authorities to go more deeply into
the affair." with a view OF ascertaining
who was in the conspiracy, If one ex-
listed, and who would receive. the BEN
eft OF information secured in advance
by opening the envelopes.
In my letter emphasized the i'm
tportance of prompt action by the court
and gave assurance to Judge Witt and
every way possible. If Mr.. Loven-i
stein opened the bids, he had pur-
pose. of course. What I am anxious to-
know is the name of the man or men
who got this Information in advance
The good name of thei.City Home de-
mands that something. more be done"
Mr.. Loycnstein Goes Away.
Former Assistant Superintendent Isa-
dore .Lovenstein has left town for a
few days. There was no one at his
home when d reporter called yesterday
afternoon. On Saturday note was
left with Mr.. Davis. in which it was
said that Mr.. Lovenstein had gone
North in the hope that his condition
might be improved, the statement
being made that he would return here
on Thursday. Having protested his
innocence. 1t is believed that Mr. Low
enstein might be able to explain the
mystery and thereby clear himself of
the suspicion which rests upon him by
reason of his expulsion. Apparently
he has not been able heretofore to as
sist the committee. His friends con-
tend that II he has been imposed upon
he should no longer rest under a cloud.
Grand Jury After CnIprits.
BE that as it may, however. the
grand jury seldom fails in matter of
this kind, and when it begins to probe
and testimony which was not brought
out at the meeting OF the committee
having the Investigation in charge.
The public. 1t seems, Is not so much
interested in the punishment of gull
ty official or outsider as it is anxious
to know the truth. and to find out If
there was a conspiracy. and in whose
behalf.
About the Other Contracts.
Mr.. Davis said yesterday that when
the wood contract was awarded in
1905 he was out of the city, and that
Mr.. Lovenstein was acting superin-
tendent Mr.. Davis was in Portland
attending the convention of the Con-
ference on Charities and Corrections.
Last year when wood contracts were
awarded the Richmond Coal Company
submitted the lowest bid, It's price be-
ing $4.43 a cord. The company. how
ever, did not accept and new bids We're
asked.
When they were opened 1t was found
that Charles Gunst and a. Blocker gave
the same selling figure, SIS, and Mr.,
-Gunst secured the business. Mr.. Gunst
and another bidder each offered to sell
at the same price in the bids this year
which were thrown out.
At the meeting of the Board of Al
5dermen tomorrow night it is UNDER
stood that the Investigation, or rather
the report of the committee, will pro-
yoke some discussion. and the letter
of Mr. Davis may be received and read
at that time 1t is entirely in the pro-
Vince of Council to proceed further
on it's own initiative without waiting
for the grand jury. The scandal mas
assumed such proportions that there ia
a strong demand from the people to
sift again. While the ipdications on
Friday pointed to the fact that the
case would drop with the dismissal OF
the assistant superintendent, conditions
have changed greatly and public senti-
ment Is having much to do with future
consideration of the charges.