The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-13
USTlOOK DEEPER
into FOLkES CASE
Mayor Still Urges Committee to
Act, With Grand Jury
Inquiry Ended.
REPORT PROVES NOTHING
Question OF Abolishing Janitor
Job Urged, as There S No
Armory to Watch.

The mere fact that the grand sur,
did not return any indictment does
not provo that Janitor 7. W. Folkos
OF the First Regiment Armory i,
guiltless of any improper conduct in
connection with the recent Council
primary said Mayor d. {. Richard
son yesterday. Il certainly hope that
the Grounds and Buildings Committee
Will look well into the matter"
The Mayor returned yesterday morn
ing from Macon, Ga, where he attended
the annual reunion OF the United Con-
sederate Veterans In discussing the
admission of Mr.. Folkes that he mad
in his possession outside of the noll-
ing place nj Second Jefferson Pre-
cinct an official election ballot con-
trary 10 law. the Mayor said that he
had not yet determined whether he
should himself take up the case
The City Attorney" he explained,
has always made a distinction be-
tween officers and employees The city
charter provides that the Mayor NAV
remove or suspend a city officer. but
Mr.. Folkes is an employe. not an OIL
Ger. lie is employed by the Council
Committee on Grounds and Buildings.
ton Of that committee To Mr. Folkes's
admissions. and to certain allegations
In the public press and recommended
an Investigation. L have no doubt.
now that the grand jury has been dis
charged from the consideration of
election matters. that the committee
VIII take up the case and determine
whether or not it's employee has acted
improperly"
shows Need of FERGUSON Inv.
The admission of the grand jury that
the law was violated. taken with H..
failure to return any indictment. is
generally held to be a strong argu-
ment in favor of the adoption of the
FERGUSON ordinance now pending be-
fore the Committee on Grounds ana
Buildings, designed to break up per
nicious political activity on the part
OF minor city employees. some of whom.
1t is openly charged. were employed
and draw their salaries. not for tho
value OF their services to the city. but
because of their influence as precinct
or ward politicians. Should the com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings. after
inquiry, decide that Mr. rolies's con
nection with the recent primary wa.
improper and vacatc his position i,
has been suggested that ii be allowed
W Ttllail vacant. Inc old First Reci
ment Armory Will be removed within
The next few weeks, and ii Will be NOR,
Than a year before the new building
plans for which are now being pre-.
pared. Will he ready for use. The en-
pIoyment by the city of ianitor 10,
building not yet begun IS regarded
as an entirely unnecessary waste Of
city funds. except by those who. in
preparing for the coming AdmInistra.
tive Board primary, desire TO Sc,
every available vote lined up with tn,
city employees in favor of shorte,
hours and increased pay for every.
body rather than in favor of publ,
improvements and the upbuilding OF
the city.
1t has been reported to members O
th> Grounds and Buildings Comm tie,
that Mr.. F9lkcs has had other employ,
ment in addition TO his duties as JAM
tor Of the armory, and the committe,
Is DESTROYS of finding out how mucl
time he has devoted TO the city.