The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-16
Exchanges Spirited Words
With Robert Lecky and
Others at Meeting of the
Fire Commissioners
VILIFlED BY TANL~R
MR.. LECkY DECLARES
Member Who Was Not Elected
President Tells Why He Did
it and Adds That His Re-
marks Were Intended Per-
sonally

There win be no disagreeable incl
dents at the meetings of the board Of
fire conn, issioners. according TO COM
missioner Charles F. Taylor. If he has
to have any thing 10 do with them, but
if anyone wishes to meet Captain Tay-
Tor on the outside. in refernce to any
thing which he may have said concerns
ing personal matters, then that is an
other matter.
This is the substance Of a statement
made by Captain Taylor at the meet
ing of the board of fire commissioners
last night.
remark made by Commissioner Robert
Lecky MIR. Lecky took exceptions to
an article in one of the papers. In
which Captain Taylor was quoted as
saying that Mr. Lacky was not legally
the vice president of the board.
After remarks had been made by
president Jenkins, Commissioners
Cheatwood. Tyler, Lecky and keppler.
Mr.. Tyler poured oil on the impending
storm. and every body felt better.
Some days ago Commissioner TAYLOR
called the attention of several news
paper men TO his Interpretation of the
charter section which provides for the
institution OF the fire board. and show
ed from his standpoint that there Is
no such office as vice president of the
board provided for In the -eharter.---
Lecky Draws Exceptions.
Mr. Lecky who had been elected vice
presiden of the board. took exceptions
and in the discussion last night II
came 10 light that the cause of the
criticism by Captain Taylor was due to
the fact that he had been defeated for
the presidency of the board without
being given notice, and had been mortf-
fed, EN- barrassed and chagrined. at his
defeat.
Il had always treated every men,
Der Of the hoard. of which l have been
d member for more than twenty-five
years. with the utmost consideration
and courtesy" said Captain Taylor,
and when snap Judgment was taken /
felt aggrieXed. Whatever | may have
said about any member of the board
was meant personally, and not as q
member Of the board So far as I arm
concerned there will be no Disagree
able incidents in this board | have =
right TO express my opinion in per-
sonal matters. If any member of this
board thinks | have said anything to
which he may draw exception. let him
settle 1t outside of the board meetings.
Let US have harmony here.
Mr.. Lecky had questioned the right
of Captain Taylor TO bring up the
question of iilegality in reference to
his election. He referred to the records
to show that while Captain Taylor HIM
self was vice president many thou
sands of dollars had been spent by the
board.
Charges VIIihcations.
III ii Is Illegal for this board to have
a vice president" said MFR. Lecky, then
the sum of s400, GOO has been illegally
spent | ask that the matter be res
ferred 10 the city attorney 1t Is =
serious question. And another thing
/ wish To call TO the attention of the
board is thu fact that Captain Taylor
has gone into stores and other public
places where I am not known, and has
vslfied me Aside from the question
of the legality of my election, I call
Captain Taylor TO account for things
he has said in places where l arm not
known. He could not hurt me where u
am known. I hope what he has said
was said in the heat of passion"
Commissioner Cheatwood called the
attention Of the chairman to the chair
man to the point that all the discuss
sion was out OF order, and not perth
nent to any business before the body.
President Jenkins disagreed with
-e+tea+~ood. and averred that Cap
tain TAYLOR had not only made re-
marks about other members of the
board, but had made remarks about
himself.
Captain Taylor said that II he had
made any remarks they were be-
cause of the treatment he had received
from the hands of the board. and that
he was ready at any time to settle any
difference outside the meetings.
Then it was that Mr.. Taylor, aided
and abetted by Keppler, bore down
upon the coming tempest
Mr. Tyler suggested that the board
accept the statement of Captain TAy-
lor, and pass the matter up. Mr.. Cheat
wood agreed that there was nothing
for the board to consider, ana that II
there were differences they should W
settled elsewhere
President Jenkins got in the spirff
of the movement. and agreed with Mr.
Tyler. and Mr.. Lecky, In order to have
nothing of the incident on the record
of the meeting. agreed 10 withdraw hin
motion.
OIL ON the Tempest.
"This is all foolishness." said M.
Jenkins
Il think so, myself" said Mr.. Cheat
wood.
"of course II Is" deposed Mr.. Tylsf. n
Right" answered Mr.. Keppler.
."rhen let's call II all or. and ~
ahead with the business OF the board.
said Captain Taylor.
MIR Lecky coincided, and the matter
was dropped. and on motion OF MI
Tyler the board adjourned s
1t was brought out in the discussion 4
however. that there is no prcytsion
for the election of a. vice president o4%y
the board The charter says a chair
man pro tenn may be chosen to prestAoN
in the absence OF the chairman. I'M
the late election Of officers Mr. IeckXs
had been chosen vice pfs1ident a4x4
3fr. Jenkins had been siecf46 pseg1