The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
MITCHELL COMES
BACK AT KO|NER
Campbell County Farmer Pro-
duces Letters to Prove
His Charge.
PAPERS WERE SUPPRESSED
Postmaster Ccrtifes That 1t
Reached Department Before
Meeting Of Board.
PAPERS WERE SUPPRESSED

Proof is offered by w. I. Mitchell. a
Campbell County farmer. in the current
issue OF the Altavlsta Journal, of
charges filed by him against Commits
sioner Of Agriculture G.. w. Koiner.
which charges Mr. Koiner denied in
The Times Dispatch of last Sunday.
Mr.. Mitchell quotes several letters from
Mr. koiner and from tho Post Office
department in support of his charge
that Mr. koiner opened and suppressed
communications addressed By him TO
the State Board Of Agriculture, and that
his charges against fertilizer inspec-
tor were not allowed BY Mr.. Koiner 10
go before the board.
In last weeks issue of the Altavista
Journal Mr.. Mitchell outlined his ex-
pericnce with the fertilizer inspection,
or rather the lack of it, and told In de-
TAN OF the charges he had filed against
Inspector "a L. Moon, which charges.
he says. Mr.. Koiner suppressed let
ter addressed to the State Board of
agriculture was not laid before the
board. and there was some later con-
flict of statement in regard to when
II reached the Office of the department.
MIR. Mitchells letter was reproduced
from the Altavista Journal in The
following day Mr. Koiner gave out an
interview, saying that there was not
word OF truth in it." adding that
Mitchell was not farmer. but a dog
trainer"
Mitchell Brings Proof.
In the Altavista Journal Of July rs,
Mr.. Mitchells answer TO Mr.. Koiner
is printed. together with a series Of
letters. An EDITORS note at the bottom
states that the editor of the Altavista
Journal has examined the original
copies of the letters and papers and
finds them just as represented by Mr.
Mitchell
The first is letter from Commits
sioner koiner addressed TO Ar. Mitchell
at Hurt, Va. 1t is in reply to letter
addressed TO the Board of Agriculture.
and not delivered to the board. but
opened By Mr.. Koiner. 1t saws: 81 have
your letter OF the gath. in which YOU
state you wish TO file charges against
MI a l. Moon. fertilizer inspector for
the Fifth District. for dereliction of
cuty and conduct unbecoming a gen
tieman. This is a very serious charge
against an official and, of course. re-
quest you 10 produce evidence TO sus-
tain your charges"
In reply to Mr. Mitchelrs letter denv
ing Commissioner Koiner's right 70
open and suppress communications ad-
dressed TO ny state Board OF Agricul-
ture Mr.. ko!ner wrote:
Not Read to Board
nave your letter of the 5th In
reply beG 10 say that the appointment:
OF inspectors OF fertilizers is made hv
the Commit ss!oner OF Agriculture and
not oy the board. II was just and
p'ope! your charges should be re.
ferred 10 Mr. Moon that ne might have
the opportunity 10 defend himself 7
have asked you for proof OF the charre
that you made against him, for which
! am waiting"
In the next letter received by Mr.
Hurt, Mr.. koiner wrote:
ours OF the Sd instant received.
as TO your letter written 10 the Board
OF Agriculture and expected to be read
at the meeting on the 18th OF January
lasi, / Will say no letter from you was
read at that meeting"
Mt. Mitchell also publishes a letter
from y. o. Mauck, member OF the
state Board of Agriculture, showing
mat ne asked Mr.. Koiner If there was
any letter or communication from Mr.
Mitchell for the board. and that Mr.
hoiner said there was not. The letter
follows:
Said He Hadn't seen II.
AT a meeting OF the board on the
18th I called on the secretary for
letter addressed TO the board in my
care, but he had not seen any asked
the commissioner as to the letter and
he replied he had not seen any that
morning. but would inquire, and re-
ported after my asking the second time
that none had been received Ny sec
ond inquiry was a few minutes before
we adjourned. and think the whole
time OF the meeting was less than two
hours-about $3.50 p. NJ. About p.
NJ. was In the commissioners office
and made an inquiry again, and was
referred to c. a. Miller, clerk, who
did find your letter OF the 18th. and
said IT came in the II o'clock mall
yours truly.
"a. o. MAUCK"
Mr.. Mitchell had the envelope of this
letter sent TO the postma ster at Rich
mond In order that its time OF delivery
might be ascertained. The envelope was
postmarked al Hurt. Va, on the 18th.
the meeting OF the board in question
being held on March 10.
POstmaster's Statement.
The postmaster at Richmond, after
tracing the envelope by the postmarks.
wrote to Mr. Hurt:
Inviting attention to report of in
vestigation, it will be noted that the
letter represented by envelope attached.
appears to have been received at this
office al +. NJ. on March II. All mail
for the Agricultural Department was
delivered on the first trip the next
morning"
The report OF the postal authorities.
Mr.. Mitchell claims. proves that his
letter was In the office OF the commits
sioner on March IS, one day before the
meeting OF the Board OF Agriculture.
IL leave st." he concludes ito the
citizens OF Virginia TO Judge whether
my statements were true, and only
deplore the fact that such man as
the records prove Koiner to be has
been allowed to administer one OF the
most important Offices in our State"