The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-05-19
ATTEMPT MADE TO BR|BE
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
RICHARD S. STORRS, PRESIDENT OF THE LIGHT, HEAT
AND POWER COMPANY, APPROACHES MATT Won
PEM BY LETTER AND THROUGH HIS REPRESENTA-
TIVE, MANAGER LANE, WITH OFFER.

were made to him. We would not
want a councilman on our board of
said Mr.. Witherby.
When he made this remark, Mr.. Won
Pein excitedly jumped to his feet and
said, THAT statement just made by
Mr.. Witherby refreshens my memory
and | recall the fact that when Mr..
ri ne called upon me and made me
the offer of stock and 2 place on the
board of directors Of his company, |
told him that / was councilman. He
then renewed his offers and said that
no one need know that | was connect
ed with the Light. Heat & Power Co.
Are mot For Sale"
Continuing Mr.. Won Pein stated that
he did not believe there was one mem
Der of the city council who was for
sale" He said that the Light, Heat &
Power company had besides attempt
ing to induce him to accept stock and
take a place on the board of directors,
offered to give him a trip TO New York
and ito make things nice and pleas
ant" for him. Mr.. Won Pein explained
his long silence in re egards to the al
legged bribe offered him, by stating
that he did not want to make 1t public
because of the notoriety it would bring
him He thought it would be best to
await developments. Mr.. Won Pein
then gave the letter he had received
from Mr.. Storrs to Clerk Merrill who
read it, The letter is as follows:
New York, Janpary 9, 1907.
Mr.. NJ. Won Pein.
Richmond. Ind.
Dear Sir
The Richmond Light, Heat &: Power
company is desirOus of having some
good local man on it's board of direc.
tors. Your name has been given me,
and you have been nominated to a
place on the board of directors. We
shall deem it a privilege to elect you
to that office at the annual meeting
next Wednesday, and | have asked Mr..
Lane to- call on you with this in view
We should be very glad to have you
associated with us and believe that
the association will be mutually agree
able. Every effort is being made to
develop there company that shall be
a pride to the city and that in point of
satisfaction. and service rendered will
be a credit to all those connected with
it. Were it possible | should be glad
to call upon you and convey this in
vitation in person but unfortunately
am unable to visit Richmond at the
present time. Anticipating the pleas
ure Of meeting you on my next visit
beg to remain,
Yours very truly.
RICHARD S STORRS.
President of the Light, Heat & Power
company.
At the conclusion of the reading Of
this letter, B. B. Johnson took the
floor and stated that he thought if
Mr.. StOrrS was a resident of this state
it would be the duty of the prosecut-
ing attorney to bring an indictment
against him, charging him with brib-
cry. This remark was greeted with
loud cheers.
Large Crowd in Chamber.
The report that Mr.. Witherby would
address council last evening served to
attract the largest crowd that has as
sembled in the council chamber for
months. From the attitude of those
present it appears that the proposition
to sell the municipal plant now being
agitated by the Light. Heat & Power
company, does not meet with the an
proval of the citizens. the city council
or the members of the city administra-
ton.
Lie Is Passed.
AS Mr. Witherby advanced his argu-
ments for the sale of the municinal
plant he was constantly interrupted
by bombardments of questions. boots
and growls of disapproval. City Con-
roller Parry passed the lie to him and
Mr.. Witherby passed the lie to Mr..
Johnson.
Mr.. Witherby began his address by
stating that his remarks were a contin-
uatiOn Of the ones he had made the
last time he appeared before council.
He repeated his assertion that last
year the city plant had lost 5.2n.S7
instead of making money as the con-
troller's report showed. He then
stated that the Light. Heat & Power
company was not making a last, de-
spairing effort to acquire the munich
pal plant or go out Of business He
said that his company was here TO
stay.
An Open Proposition.
Councilman Englebert then asked
Mr.. Witherby if he thought he could
operate his plant after its franchise
had expired, Mr. Witherby stated
that as this franchise did not expire
for eleven years and eight months, he
was not giving that matter any consid
Grafton. Mr.. Witherby stated that at
the time the municipal plant was es-
tablished he thought the city was justi-