The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-20
DIG UP STATUTE
TO COVER CASE
Mayor and States Attorney
Confer Regarding Cum
bingham Shortage
EXPECT GRAND JURY
WILL PROBE CHARGE
j. B. Wood Reported to Be in
Race for City Collector
Ship City Council to
Elect Successor

III any officer. agent or ern-
ploye OF the state or of any city,
town, or county. or the deputy oil
any such Officer having custody OF
public funds knowing misuse
or inappropriate the same or
knowingly dispose thereof other
wi~c than I'm accordance with law
ne shall be confined in the ptsni-
tent1ars not less than one nor
more ifHn ten years, and any
default q such officer. esnploye
or deputy in paving over said
FUNDS 10 the proper authorities
when required by law to do SO
shall he decmca prima facic evil
denre of his guilt"
Following conference Thursday
morning with states Attorney Foxes
with reference 10 the reported short
age OF more than 81, SEQ in the ac-
counts Of City Tax Collector Frank
W. Cunningham. Mayor Richardson
called attention TO the foregoing sec
ton OF the Virginia code which, he
says. appears TO cover the Cunning
nam case. The mayor pointed out that
the city charter specifically provides
that the city tax collector shall set
tie with the city treasurer every week
and this the accused official apparent
IS did not do In the case OF the seven
tax bills involved In the shortage.
Likely 80 To Grand Jury.
MIR. FOXES was not in his office
Thursday morning when the reporter
sought statement from him regard
inE thta phase OF the case, but he is
Guotrd az saying that it liz his duw
70 call the attention Of the next grand
jury To the Cunningham shortage.
Ia I'D hp
viii reach no definite conclusion as to
MS line OF action until after next
Tuesday, when a public hearing Il
the charges against Captain Cunning
nam Is held in the mayors office. as
scheduled.
Has Not Resigned.
Ii was freely rnmored on the streets
Thursday morning thats Captain Gun
nsnRham had resigned but the re-
rort VAS denied at his residence In
The West End. where ii was stated
that Captain Cunningham would 20
nothing In the matter pending the
approaching hearing of his case. The
captain Is reported To be still i'll in
he'd. suffering from nervous collapse
Talked OF For ONCE
Mr.. j. II. Wood. superintendent ~
y
president of the common council.
doomed up Thursday as a probable
eandidate for Captain Cunningham's
office in the event the latter official
! esigns or is finally removed after tire
{ harges against him ara prohed. Mr.
Wood VAS not at his Office In the State
prison when an effort was made 10
get a statement from him but II vas
learned from a reliable source that
certain touncilmen had been ap-
preached regarding his candidacy.
I he names Of former Councilman W.
A, Crenshaw, who opposed CAPTAIN
six years ago, WAS also
mentioned m Intellectual effort was
likewise made TO get statement
frss2fs fasrrr -rff~ reporter being inform
ed AT bis place OF business that he.
Was downtown and probably would
not be back during the day
In event the Office of eIty tax
collector 'is placed on "A salary basis as
the salary VIII likely be ss.-
500 per year. This sum Ia something
over $1,000 in excess Of what Mr. Wood
e drawing In his present position. Mr..
Wood, while residing AT present IN CLAY
Ward, which he represented in the
Ward. where he represented in the
common council for several terms up
TO the time he was appointed to the
peuitentiary position by Governor
Swan son.
Huice To Be Named.
Indications are that Mr. Herbert l..
Hulee Will be named acting city col
eetor pending action on the charges
against Captain Cunningham Mr..
be<Afs connected he
office for some years and Is said TO be /
thoroughly familiar with the routine, |
The question of temporary deputy
% expected to be settled when the two |
bodies meet in special !
Ieint session Friday night subject to !
eail by President Whittet of the board |
IF aldermen
AT Its next meeting the ordinance |
committee. II Is stated. will take up |
he Lynch resolution fixing the SAL !
ary Of the city tax collector at $35eo |
Continued on Eleventh Page.)