The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-31
NO BIBLE THERE
FOR sam TO KISS
Pawnbroker Stern Demanded
One During Dramatic Scene
in Committee Room.
uMLAuF MEASURE ADOPTED
Law to Prevent Sale Of Second
Hand Revolvers Wins
Over Protest
UMLAUF MEASURE ADOPTED

by able counsel, aNallcQ nOtnlnS PC
fore the Ordinance. Charter and Re
form Committee last night. when tho
umlauf ordinance prohibiting the re-
ceiving ana sale OF deadly weapons
through pawnshops, for the second
time was unanimously recommended to
the Council. The ordinance as 1t now
stands has been through the committee
and adopted by the lower branch of
the Council but at tho request Of AL
dcrman Hobson was recommitted be-
cause he considered that the dealers
had not been given sufficient oppor-
tunity to state their side of the case.
Arguments on both sides were logi-
cal and forceful, but the power given
by the Commemorative Attorney, the
City Attorney. Ashton Starkc. mem
Der OF the grand jury which recon-
mended the ordinance, and the MOST
important members OF the police force.
more than balanced the pleas of the
pawnbrokers.
sir. Smith Speaks.
Attorney II. NJ Smith opened for
the pawnbrokers. He read the ordi-
nance, and said that IL 1t accomplished
It's purpose, no money could induce
him to oppose It, but his experience
as criminal lawyer convinced him
that 1t would not lessen crime among
the rougher element. The clause en-
powering the Chief OF Police to grant
permission to hardware merchants cell
ing pistols. he thought too much power
TO vest in one man. He also was in
some doubt as to the constitutionality
OF the ordinance. Hc was followed by
Pawnbroker Sam Stern. who looked
upon it as class legislation, and said
that he doubted if such an ordinance
would ever have been drawn If there
We're such thing as an Irish pawn
broker.
Chief Of Police Werner told OF the
evil of cheap guns and recountcd the
number of cases Of concealed weapons
and unlawful shooting In the last year.
| DetectlveCaptain Mcmahon and Mem
| bers Of his staff testified in the same
| direction Under the questioning OF
! Mr. Smith. Major Werner admitted
| that he had no particular objection to
| pawnbrokers dealing In pistols as the
| merchants do, and was rather inclined
TO the original plan OF the Hastings
| Court grand jury, which suggested the
| registration of every weapon sold, to-
gether with description OF the pur-
chaser The evil. he said. lag in tie
| readiness With which "a cheap gun
might be obtained at any Of the shops.
! Urged by Grand Jury.
Ashton Starke, a member OF the grand
! jury, and who assisted in drawing mp
| the paper IOTWdTUeu- TO tue 0OInnlOn
wealth's attorney. explained that it vas
done on the strength OF evidence Of
reputable witnesses. and that the paper
! was really made out as a guide for the
| draft of the final ordinance.
| From the viewpoint Of the merchant,
| G. II. Watkins. OF the Watkins Cottrell
| Hardware Company, advocated the pas
sage of the ordinance. though he stated
that he had no objection to the pawn
brokers handling new pistols at mark t
! prices. but was opposed to the sale OF
| Such weapons as were presented by
Major Werner and said to have been
sold very cheaply by the brokers.
| Previously it had been intimated
that there were some pawnbrokers who
were said not TO have complied strictly
| with the provisions Of the present law.
One Dramatic Touch.
| At this time came the only dramatic
part of the meeting. Mr. Watkins said
that from information he had received
he was led TO believe that It was a
fact. Hchstated that on one occa sion.
when pistols were stolen from his
store. they had been recovered In the
shop OF Mr.. Stern, and that he had said
| when the guns were returned he would
! be glad to furnish a list OF dishonest
pawnbrokers and that he was in Il posi-
ton to put soma Of them out Of bust
| ness.
1t was with difficulty that Mr. Stern
could keep his seat until Mr.. Watkins
| finished. He wanted a Bible. SO he
could kiss 1t, but. unfortunately, Chair
| man Umlauf had left his at home. F1a
i gave his solemn word Of honor how
ever. that Mr.. Watkins had told him
! that his company gave $3.50 towards
! legislation tending to give 1t control
| Of the pistol business here, but lie said
nothing Of his knowledge of crook cd
pawn brokers. Mr.. Watkins smiled and
said that IT was money furnished by the
| firearms companies he represented for
an attorney to get through certain leg
! isiation--a thing that had been done
throughout the United states.
/ Mr.. Umlauf closed in behalf Of his
! ordinance. and the vote was unani-
! nous.
/ Chief Clerk to Engineer.
The ordinance creating the office OF
| chief clerk in the City Engineers de-
partment, and making other changes
| vision that gives tic City Engineer
power Of appointment and reno, ing
/, Councilman IIiTschbcrg was some VIII
! skeptical
lis the City Engineer competent tc
take this responsibilities" he asked
Chairman Umlauf suggested that he b,
/ given a trial
| 81 am personally disposed to do so,
/ he said. but my experience in three
wears is that lie has been given chances
i and that he has failed to deliver tn,
4, goods. Ny opinion is that the pos
ton is too big for the man..
The incident was passed over, anc
Mr.. ilirscfbcrg was one Of those wht
& voted aye.
+, Councilman iatciffe appeared before
tho committee and asked that consid
Grafton OF his ordinance for the rcduc.
ton OF the number Of wards and mem
bars q tho Council be postponed /
Will he heard in a specia meeting o
the committee next Thursday.
Robbery Reported.
Mrs. H. r. Houston OF 2.ci East Ora q