The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-07
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Librarian Closes His Case With
Biting References to Accusers.

committee resumed its sitting.
MIR. Kennedy again took the stand
and continued his statement in de-
tense OF his position. lie invoAue
library authorities to show that it was
the best policy TO buy good books, even
though they should cost more money.
He read letters from some of these
gentlemen, declaring that the witness
had gotten remarkably low figures,
considering the class of books he got.
One of these was from Mr.. a. Il,
Spoiford, a trained librarian, and nn-a
other from Mr.. Edwin RI. Anderson.
the head of tho travelling library
system of New York, and both ndvo
Gated the purchase of the best printed
aud bound books for travelling libraries.
Still another was from Thomas L..
Montgomery, State librarian of Penn
sylvnnia, who took the same ground.
Now gentlemen said Mr.. Kennedy,
j submit that evidence as incontrp-
vertable, to show that in the purchase
of the books for the school travelling
libraries l did the best possible thing
in sight for the interests of tho state"
Mr. Kennedy rasped Mr.. Bell for say
ing that a dollar edition of Robin Hood
would do for travelling libraries, and de-
clAred that there was no common sense IN
such n statement Two books wero sub
mitted, ana Chairman Byrd and Mr..
Strobe appeared to think the cheaper
one was the more durable.
Speaking of Mr.. Bells testimony as to
fiction. witness practically declared that
Bell knew nothing of the subject. Flo
thought however, he had shown his
ability to create fiction If not to pass
Judgment upon IT,
Statements Denied.
a..
insisting that the witness file all the
letters from which had been reading
extracts to bear out his good Judgment
in buying books, 50 that the record
might be handled eXpeditiousy.
II wanted to use them again." said the
witness.
when I leave here am going to give
YOU gentlemen every bit of the evidence
| | have, whether you want it or not"
| Mr.. Cox wished to know what was
| meant by this remark. and witness de-
| full to the committee, and that he had
nothing but the purest and highest mo-
| tivcs.
Witness denied positively that he had
| ever told Mr. Bell that he had gone to
New York to purchase books personally
| in order to establish a standard TO 90
by" He needed no standard, but went
| in order TO get the books quickly and at
| the best prices.
| Witness denied nearly every statement
made by Mr.. Bell, and with fine sarcasm,
every now and then practically declared
that the Richmond book dealer Just 1fdn' t
know anything about the matter Of buy
| ing books. He argued at some length
that all the States went into the New
i York and Chicago markets to buy library
books, simply because they could not get
a..
or in large quantities.
Said He Couldn't Compete.
4 Witness asserted that Mr.. Bell knew
he could not compete with larger dealers
and that being chagrined at his inabil.
injure the library authorities in tho pub.
lie mind. He minated strongly that
! Mr.. Bell was book scalper." and de-
clared that II he had sold school chill
dren the books he picked up at list
prices, he had dcfrauded the school chill
dren and done tho State an injustice
In pursuing the question of over
) charges, Mr.. Kennedy said it. was true
; that he had been charged by Putnam
n few cents more on eleven books spcc
fed by Mr.. Bell than he BelD coult
have furnished them for, but that tho
bill had not been paid and would not bt
until corrected.
. And ! now call upon you, gentlemen
Or any other Ylrginian,'' he said, IT
point out any discrepancies rs to price
g in the list of books purchased fror
I, Putnam. and I promise you that all cor
y rections will be made before the bill
j paid"
Here the witness read letter frot
e Putnam, rlHcullng Mr.. Bells contention
and saying that some of his statement
} We're so absurd that witness would hay