The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-17
2 V i d e n c e in Inquiry
Seems to Free Direc-
tors From Blame.
DAVIS DISCLAIMS
PERSONAL ANIMUS
Says He Acted in Good Faith,
but Is in Turn Charged With
Inconpetency-VerdictW Will
Be Rendered When Stem
ographic Report Is
Ready.

The inquiry by the state Board OF
Charities and Corrections into charges
preferred in public print by George g..
Davis. the resigned superintcndc Of
the Laurel Industrial School. against
the conduct Of that institution by Ger
tain members OF It's board was con-
cluded late yesterday afternoon, so
far as the taking Of testimony was
concerned. after the hearing had con-
sumcd practically the entire day. Upon
the conclusion &of the taking of tes-
timony the boaf1 Went into brief
executive session. and then informed
all connected with the investigation
that II would reserve It's opinion in the
matter for at least two weeks. that
the stenographic reports of the hear
Ing might be reduced to writing, upon
which material II would base Its final
decision
IT was the general and empha tic
belief among those who followed the
proceedings OF the inquiry that the
charges OF Mr.. Davis. SO far = $ they
reflected on the integrity of Cha rlcs
Hutzlcr. L. a Catlin and Thomas Poin-
dexter. We're absolutely without any
foundation in fact aud utterly dis
proven. It was the general opinion
however. that the investigation would
vcr% probably result in certain mate
rial changes regarding the conduct of
the Institution such as more rigid
system OF segregation OF its inmates
and more thorough supervision and
conservation OF the school and its sup
plies I
Charges Against Davis
The charge OF wastefulness of pro-
visions and Of dcrelict!on or ncom-
potency on the part OF Mr.. Davi., Willie
snperint endent OF the school were free
y made BY merlbers OF the i,onrd OF
the institution while on the stand
The accusations brought BY Mr.
Davis were said BY him 10 have been
directed and aimed. not at individuals
but AT the system of the whole board
In running the school. He repeatedly
disavowcd any intention of rejecting
upon the character or veracity Of any
official connected With the Laurel In
dustrial school. specifying MeSsrs
iNit.ler. Catlin and Poindextcr.
The taking OF testimony. which was
at times cnlivencd by direct issues of
fact between Mr. IIutzler and Mr.
Davis, was brought TO a somewhat un-
expected close by Mr.. Davis requesting
the privilege OF the floor. Once upon
his feet. the former superintendent
who had also once been a member of
the board declared most earnestly and
fervently that his structures upon the
institution We're not occa stoned BY
malice. but that his motives were pure
and his heart clean OF all hatred He
said
solemn ivOwsI.
1 DO not fear criticism in the dis
charge of what consider duty CritI-
cize me as you like; can undergo it,
am willing to be crucihed, If need be-
and thrown out bodily, If by this means
! could improve conditions a I Laurel
and benefit the boys. I am promnted.
gentlemen. by tile highest and purest
motives have no malicious intent
| can stand here and swear or 20 be-
lore my God. with a consciousness
that have done only what ! thought
was right and for the pcst--what /
thought was best for tho welfare Of
the institution. for the welfare Of the
boys. for he best interests OF human
ity, and for the good of the Common
wealth so help me God!'
The hearing began at 0 o'clock. and
was interrupted by a recess for din
ner at 40. wien it. was adjourned I'M
III g. Promptly at 3 o'clock the In
restigatioa was reopcned and the af-
terroon session continued until nearly
10 o'clock. the board remaining in eX-
H.
Opening Session.
The opening session was rendered a
little lively by clashes between Mr.
Davis and Charles Hutzlcr president,
of the Laurel School. Mr.. Davis was
tho first witness, and explained that
he did not appear In the role Of prosc-
cutor. He was unattended BY coun-
sci, while the hoard was represented
or certain members OF the board were
represented. by Attorney Charles y.
Meredith
MIR, Davis began his testimony By
asserting over and over again that lie
meant no reflection upon the honesty
or integrity Of any member Of tho
board by anything heihad said or WRIT
ten. He said that he was simply striv-
ing for the uplift of the boys. and
thought no had a right, after Seyering
all connection with the school. ito critl.
cizc members Of The school board for
supplying the institution with goods.
lie did not think this was digniiied, to
say the least.
Inc witness then declared that MIR
FoindeHter has on more than one oc-
casion sold to tho school meat that was
not sound; that this meat was on two
occa sons returned as unfit for food,
and that on a third occa sion he had
complained. without result
Sold Dry Goods.
g. With rcgard 10 Mr. IIntzlcr. the wit
ness complained that r. vas, iii; poor
taste. that Mr.. Hutzlcr. a dealer In dry
goods. should supply Laurel School with
such merchandise a she sold as a bus
mess lie reiterated that he did not
suspect either Messrs. Poindexter or
]futzler as taking advantage OF their
positionstto gather gain orfrroHt from