The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-02
DR.. Haskins Makes
More Statements
Expresses Confidence That He VIII
Be Able to Prove Charges
Against Cline.
INVESTIGATORS MEET
AND SELECT OFFICERS.
Adverse Criticism Of Board Of Control
Is ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sessions
TO Be Public.

The first session OF the Cline In
vestigating committee was held last
night at the rooms OF the first branch
OF council. all members being present
except Mr.. Noellinger. c. II. Watkins
OF the first branch. was selected as
chairman, and c. w. Bente will act
as clerk.
Following the organization, it was
decided by the committee TO ask DR..
Haskins and the other members OF
the board of control to prepare a list
OF specified charges against Mr.. Cline.
together with a list OF witnesses. IL
was also decided to ask Auditor
Geiger and Clerk Brown. of the board
OF control to furnish the COMMITTEES
with list OF all bidders on hose or
other city supplies for the past six
years. with the names of agents.
Council will be asked to vote funds
for stenographer and to defray the
cost OF securing witnesses and taking
depositions outside the city or state.
That the investigation is to be OF the
most thorough character is indicated
by the fact that council will be asked
to give the committee power to sub
poena witnesses.
The policy of the committee will be
W haNt ali HtHSlOllS open 10 l0e DuO-
lie: to allow no party to the contro-
versy TO be represented by counsel
and to treat no one as plaintiff or
defendant. The next session will be
held on Wednesday. May 9, the even
ing following the next session of
council.
Or. Hasklns Talks.
DIR. Haskins was unable TO attend
the committee meeting. but when
seen by an Intelligencer reporter, he
expressed himself as pleased with the
personnel OF the committee and the
progress thus far made toward the
/ Investigation. Continuing. he said:
i wish to say that II is my earnest
desire that the committee exercise
every diligence in the prosecution OF
this case.
Il am prompted in making this
statement by the suggestion OF some
! that IL might possibly be better than
the committee act passively until
after the approaching city election.
| wish IL distinctly understood that
| am in favor of proceeding as ex-
peditiously with the investigation as
| is consistent with thoroughness. with
out in any way considering the cleo
ton. At best IL must be a rather
| long drawn out affair. owing to Ger.
tain features OF my charges against
this man Cline requiring considerable
/ time 10 bring forth the proof largely
owing to some people shrinking from
mixing up I'm the controversy. That
this Is cowardly and in poor con-
sistency with good citizenship is, of
course. unquestionabie. However,
positively promise TO prove before
am done. that Cline has for years
been a veritable parasite on the body
OF Father Wheeling. II is manifestly
| impossible to prove more than
small percentage OF the guilt and
graft OF this man for reasons given.
and do not. therefore. promise the
public I shall. at this time OF in CO.
operation with the councilmanic com
mittee be able 10 do more than. as
stated. show up a small percentage
OF the graft and thievery inflicted
upon the city by Cline: but will fur
nlsh proof amply sufficient to pOr-
| tray him in the light ! have pictured
/ him. and this will. I'm addition. mark
| the advent OF a searchlight in our
Z city affairs and conduct Of public Of
] fclals. resulting Ultimately. IL Is to
/ be hoped. I'm great good.
Answers Criticism.
[ while talking on this subject, I
wish 20 allude briefly 10 some ad-
verse criticism Of the board OF con-
/ troll. especially myself. by some who
claim that as public officials we
should not have remained silent with
such information az I exploded over
the head OF r. ID. Cline on primary
election day.
First Of all. % did not require but
few minutes for the board OF con-
/ troll n dispose Of Cline az chief Of the
| FIRE department AZ our first meeting.
/ Knowing that we had rid the city OF
a corrupt official. and believing the
riddance eternal. we felt fairly well
satisfied with what We had accom-
4 plishcd for the citys good In this
instance. And aRain. We found our
selves confronted with n serious bust
ness and financial problem. TfFcre
was an indebtedness Of about ef28.-
900. n city building. parts OF whith
we're ready 10 fan down-a serious
menace 10 human life. no steam
roller and paving TO do. practically
no street sprinklers. sVccpcrs. flush
ers or anything else IN the shape %
fCcutimund on Tenth raran