The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-16
LECKY AND TAYLOR
IN CL ASH AT FIRE
BOARD MEETING
Continued From First Psse3

CONTINUED From First PageO
was made In It for the election OF a
Vice president OF the Fire Board. The
charter merely provides for the cleo
ton OF president pro TEN. to serve in
the presidents place when the latter
was absent
Commissioner Cheatwood made the
point that II has been tho custom OF the
board to elect vice president for more
than twenty years. and Captain Taylor
replied that custom does not make law.
He was Interested. no said. in having
tho board put straight and was ac-
tuated by no personal motives.
II move. In order to have tho mat
ter settled" said Captain Taylor. that
tho City Attorney be requested to de-
eide the point as to whether or not the
board has a legal right to elect n vice
president"
Drastic Substitute.
Il want TO offer as substitute"
interposed MIR. Lccky. that the city
Attorney be requested in addition 10
passing upon the legality Of my Office
to establish the boards as well as the
personal responsibility for the dis
bursemcnt OF more than 100000 OF the
city's funds made by the order Of vice
presidents OF this board since 1891.
when the first one was elected upon tho
motion OF Captain Taylor. as well as
the status of the whole Fire Depart
ing OF June ~, 1909. presided over by
Captain Taylor rs Vice president"
Captain Taylor agreed TO the drastic
substitute, declaring himself ready to
stand the consequences OF any ruling
the city Attorney might make. The
situation promised interesting consc-
qucnccs. but crisis was avoided
why did YOU do all this fooling?"
demanded President Jenkins OF Captain
Taylor, referring evidently TO The vice
presidential issue.
Il didn't know the law" replied Cap
tain Taylor. Now | know II. and /
want TO sec conditions corrected"
Chcntvood Enters Protest.
Commissioner Chcatwood entered a
vigorous protest against permitting
any OF the proceedings 10 go to record.
and asked the board TO vote down any
proposition TO consult the city AttOr-
neg. 81 common consent the motion
was not put TO Il vote.
Failing in his attempt 10 secure q
reference OF the question to the Ctty
Attorney. Commissioner LeCky asked
the board to affirm by formal vote the
legality Of his position AS vice-pre
dent OF the body THIS the board held
as a useless affirmation OF AN act al!
ready on the record. and even Cap
tain Taylor joined in the general re-
quest that the recent unplcasantness
be dismissed
ance. II dated back TO last summer
when Captain TAYLOR. then president
Of the board submitted TO Mayor Ains-
lie his annual report in which were
, included statements which Were at va
RANCE with subreports fled BIZ the
chief OF tho Fire Department and the
superintendent OF Fire Alarm. Nh.
Lecky charged that Captain Taylor
himself responsible for tho discrcpan-
cies. had untustly attempted to shift
the blame 10 Secretary Jones. Of the
Fire Board
Jones Hns the Record.
MIR. Jones has in his possession the
original typewriter report, showing
notations in the margin In Captain
I Taylor's own handwriting" said Mr.
Lecky. Il think that the responsible
ity should be placed where IL belongs.
and that tho secretary should be clear
cd once and for all time OF the blame
for errors that are charscable 10 an
other"
Action on Mr.. Lccky's latest gricv-
ance was efficiently sidetracked in the
excitement which followed the charge
made by him that Captain Taylor had
referred profanely and scurrilously 10
him In speaking OF him 10 strangers.
/ In his reply, Captain Taylor made no
/ reference to the incident OF the annual
report. BY unanimous consent. no note
OF the evenings warfare was made on
{ the record