The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-08
Co-Workers Give Warm
Praise to His
Efficiency.
DENIES CHARGES
AS TO CHARACTER
Accused Minister Makes Effcc.
tive Defense on Stand-Mrs.
Mason Declines to Be Pro-
secutor-Comnlittee Will
Consider Verdict at
Meeting Tomorrow.

Emphatic and unqualified denial OF
,ny Improper conduct or conversation
With st. Ursula Lane. Mrs. Lulie Reins
ZONES, or anybody else receiving or
applying for relief from the Associat-
ed Charities, was made yesterday af-
ternoon By Superintendent James
Buchanan. His manner appeared to
be convincing TO his auditors, leaving
little doubt, in consideration OF the
food of favorable evidence which had
preceded his statement. that the
charges would be dismissed and the
minister sustained.
Witness after witness, some of then,
prominent in tho charity work of the
city. and others coworkers with the
accused. went on the stand and de-
clared that they knew nothing what
ever of anything which could reflect
on his character. He was highly
praised for his skill in his chosen line
of work. for his Kindness and gentle
ness. for his high standards, for his
earnest labors. One OF Richmond's 8
leading ministers declared that he es-
teemed Mr.. Buchanan as the most
eminent sociologist In the South
Methods Approved.
Details of administration of the AS
aociIted Charities were largely gone
into, every witness agreeing that the
methods used by the accused minis
ter were for the best interests of the
iinfortunates committed to his care,
and that they were in conformity with
tho most advanced thought and mod
Arn standards in dealing with socio-
logical problems
The only positive accusations which
rose above the trivial had been those
made By Mrs. Jones and the Lane
girl. and 1t appears that the commit.
Tee still regards them as the unfor-
tunate results OF the overwrough,
Imagination OF the parties.
All the evidence in the case is now
in. There was no argument, but the
committee decided not TO go into the
matter In the absence of Rev. j. T.
Mastin. secretary OF the State Board
of Charities and Correction, who has
been sitting with them. It was impos.
sible for DR.. Aiastin TO be present yes.
terday, and. while he is not officially
q member of the committee, the mem.
hers desired his presence and advice
before rendering a verdict. A meeting
VIII be held at 4:3o tomorrow after,
noon in the Office of A. w. Patterson
the chairman. 1t will, 1t is understood
be private.
Statement by Counsel
Adding 10 the apparent approaching
complete vindication of Mr.. Buchanan
statement was presented at the
opening of yesterdays session by Muir
ray NJ. Mcclure in behalf of himsel,
and Mrs. Landon r. Mason, which
those present 1T once recognized a.
the beginning of the end. SO far a.
formal charges were concerned The
statement. which was carefully written
declared that he had reached the con.
clusion that the evidence which hal
been previously submitted to Mrs
Mason would add little. If at ALL tc
what had been said before the com
mittee
Attention was called to the fact tina
statements made privately do not al.
ways develop in public into satisfac
tory evidence. Mrs Mason, he added
did not desire to be put in the position
OF standing sponsor for a ncbulou.
set of uncertain charges which hay,
never been framed.
The five members OF the committe,
We're again present at O'clock yes
terday. Or. Mastin being absent Th,
questioning was done by Hill Mon
tague The widest possible scope. a
before, was allowed in questionin,
and answering, hearsay evidence bein;
freely adduced Mr.. Montague callet
on those present without having pre-
viously talked to them, and his querie
We're directed toward getting at an.
fact of any nature which could be ar
rivedtat without regard to its effect.
Gould Add Nothing.
Mr.. McGuire's statement follows.
II wish to make a statement to TIL
committee on my own behalf and OF
Mrs. Mason's. When the committee o.
II Nf,,H y
INSISTED on proceeding without tim
FOR further consultation and consid
grafton of the evidence which ha
been presented to Mrs. Mason, in
tended to withdraw but decided no
to do so. and l. am glad that reache
that conclusion. as | thus had an op
portunity to hear the witnesses on tn
stand and to observe the conduct q
the investigation, Prior to that time
had talked to some of the witnesse
and had some idea of the situation
and since then / have looked int
the matter further and have reache
the conclusion that the evidence wllic
has been submitted to Mrs, Mason an
might be adduced would probably ad
little. If anything. TO what. has bee
laid before the committee. and hay
so advised her and Mr.. Ainslie, VIII
was to take my place.
''It is needless toNsay to the CON
mittee that statements which ind
viduals are ready enough to- make pr
vately do not always develop INT
satisfactory evidence when thes
statements have been carefullY.-sif lite
or when these same persons appear 9
the witness stand,
II have seen but one of the affidavit
first made By certain of the wttnesse
and know nothing OF the others, fu
ther than the newspaper references
them, had seen none of them at
until after had advised Mrs. Mast
as Just stated. ] do know, howeVe
i that this investigation was precipitt
ed by a statement as to what tn
contained. whereas they themsely
have not been published. and this
y vestigation has so developed in Poi