The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-16
LANE AND COLE
HIS WITNESSES
Both the Committeeman
Testify to Efficiency
of DR.. Foster.
HIS FRIENDS VERY
HAPPY LAST NIGHT
According to Colonel Lawless's
View, One Charge Is Practi-
cally Withdrawn-Hot
Passes Between Mr..
Hamilton and
Col. Lawless.

Especial From stan correspondcnt.l
WILLIAMSBURG, VA, January ID
Indications are that the second inquiry
into the conduct OF affairs at the East
ern state Hospital will he concluded by
Thursday night. Mr.. Hunton having fin
jshed his case for the board, and Colonel
1.lwless having commenced the taking
of testimony for DR., Foster Three ses-
slons were held, though the one tonight
was brief.
The Foster people are happy because
they say they punctured the ar1nor OF
the board by forcing the withdrawal OF
one OF the charges against the superin-
tendent. The majority Of the board on
the other hand contend that the Item
was not II charge. and that therefore
there is no victory.
In the notice 10 Or. Foster formulated
by the special committee, 1t is set out
az one of the complaints against the man
agemen; that landscape gardener IS
employed at so per month. and that he
attends only to the grounds. Colonel
Iawless established by members of the
board that the gardener was chosen at a
meeting in Richmond, at which Dr- Foster
was rot present, and that he could not
be held Responsible for the appointment
Messrs osborne. Bohannon and Tired
way, who prepared the charges. all arose
and said this was not Intended as n
charge against Dr. Foster and Colonel
Jawless dropped this line Of questioning,
apparently delighted at the admission.
There was happiness in the Foster camr
tonight at what the superintendent s
friends call breakdown on the part
OF the board.
Call Commit eernan to
Testify for DIR. Foster.
The proceedings tonight We're alto
yether unidue. Colonel Lawless nut OF
oniy three witnesses. They We're Solone
Lane and Messrs. Bland and Cole, al
sitting as members OF the board ana
turors In the case. II was Ike calling
witnesses from the jury-box TO testify
before themselves.
They all spoke well of the Foster ad-
Ininistration. and Colonel Lawless often
called the attention of Messrs. Lane and
Cole to their favorable testimony before
the legislative committee. and they said
would stand by every word of 1T.
Colonel Iawless announced tonight
that among the witnesses he had sum-
moned were doctors Edward Mcclure and
r. C. Bryan. of Richmond: DIR. o. c.
Br,ink, the physician chosen by the board
for superintendent of the hospital. and
DR. W. r. Aylett, OF Newport News.
Long and weary were the two day ses-
sons OF the board. except for the relief
that came now and then with the spats
between counsel and witnesses and the
controversies arising between the forms
as to fling of papers and the adInissi-
bilty of testimony.
Colonel I1awlcss is fighting for every
point In sight, and is making exceptions
at every turn of the way. He objected
10 as many as twenty questions, II moi
more: but the board usually overruiec
him. Messrs. Bland and Turk pretty gen
orally voting No" To what other tri
bunal the Norfolk lawyer expects tc
carry the case in the event Of an adverse
decision. cannot be learned. but his whole
course here indicates that he expect.
TO continue the battle somewhere. Will,
both the day sessions were given to thu
examination of witnesses on behalf of Tho
board by Mr.. Hunton, who announced
mt G o'clock that he had concluded, the
proceedings We're opened with the pre-
sentation of a bill of exceptions by Col
onel Lawless in the action Of the board
in overlooking his protest last night. HI
wanted this paper made part OF thu
record, hut Mr.. Hunton objected. and thu
hoard took the question under advise
ment.
Colonel I.awless followed with de
murrer to the sufficiency of the charge:
against his client and q lengthy answer
to the board notice.
These having been submitted, Mr.. Hun
ton took DR.. Fosters testimony before
tho investigating committee, and reading
from 1t frequently, introduced numerou:
witnesses to testify to the matters re-
1erred to therein.
Henderson Good
Witness for Foster
Doctors Henderson and Southall were
called and recalled many times during
tho day. The former was a splendid wit
ness. Tho latter had not recovered from
the references made to him by the boart
in removing him. and as n result he ant
Mr.. Hunton had number of sharr
colloques.
DR.. Southall also took several shots
mt the Central Hospital, and these tended
to arouse Mr.. Gillian. of the board ant
they indulged in some spicy cross-firing
The steward and many of the attendant!
and attaches testified at the instance o
Mr.. Hunton.
Sharp passages took place al the morn
ing session between Mr. Hunton and Col
pnel Turk. Th< latter was making som
Inquiry concerning tho status of certail
papers offered by Colonel Lawless, an.
as to the admissiblity of evidence, whe
Mr.. Hunton told him he had better asl
: these questions of Colonel Lawless, a
perhaps he might be prepared to answer
There Is no concealment of the fac
that there is distinct division in IL,
board, Colonel Turk and Mr. Bland diff
ferlng with the majority on nearly ever
contested matter. During the course 0
the inquiry as to tho use OF straight
Jackets, one of these comical-looking gar
ments was brought in and shown tn
board, Mr.. Hunton wanted practica
demonstration of Its use, but he scoul
not find willing subject: so 1t was sim
fy shown to tho members.
DR. Foster was In tho room durin