Evening journal., 1914-08-06
.BURRIS Explains
LEVY COURT WORDS
Said He Meant No Reflec-
ton on Farmers Bank in
Tuesdays Speech
COMMITTEE TAKES UP
CHECK CONTROVERSY

OIlIsCh SOlN / XIV EkO /
All a special meeting Of the Levy
Court yesterday afternoon, Levy
Court Commissioner Samuel L. Bur
ris had read an explanation that
qualified certain statements regard
ing the Farmers Bank and its
cashier, which he made at Tuesdays
meeting OF the Levy Court during
discussion Of the Atlas Bridge Com
+ pany's squabble. Mr. Burris. at the
opening Of the session yesterday az
/ ternoon, had Clerk Hopkins read the
following statement.
II has appeared In the papers
1 Of this city from the remarks that
/ | made yesterday which appeared
IN the public papers, that / question
4 Cd the honesty of the Farmers Bank.
and that had stated that there was
/ on attempt of blackmail on the part
! Of the bank in connection with the
Atlas Bridge Company. was presented
70 this Court.
Il desire to say as publicly as
was reported yesterday that l meant
tc cast no reflection upon the honest
management of the Farmers Bank
( nor upon any Of the officers connected
1 herewith; that had nothing In my
mind at the time to warrant any con
stfuctiou being placed upon anything
that / might have said that would
have led to q charge on my part Of
blackmail on the part of the bank
II connection with the Atlas Bridge
matter, My only thought was to
protect The interests Of the county
and the only intention Of the bank
was TO protect their interest.
desire only 10 protect the interest Of
the county in the bridge matter"
The directors OF fhe Farmers Bank
held q meeting yesterday morning when
statements made by Commissioner Bur
ms were discussed. Colonel j. Ernest
Smith, counsel for the hank. had talk
with Mr. Bnrris following the Board
meeting and later Mr. Burris caused
to be read his statement that in
Ing remarks he meant no reflection upon
tho honest management Of the bank. ]
although he did not deny he had made |
certain statements To which the bank !
and its officials took exception.
Commissioner Smith said he thought 4
the best thing the court could do would 4
be TO adjourn and not enter into another
discussion. II there are differences be.
tween the bank and the bridge com.
pany LOT them settle them IN court. Mr..
smith said. and he never would vote
TO retain any attorney as long ,as the
corrt had Mr.. Walker as their counsel.
" Mr. Walker is not competent he
should not be IN court, Mr.. Smith said.
Nh Buris said that lie knew men
who had worked ON the bridge and they
wanted their money as the groccrs were
about to shut down on their credit
After the letter was read Mr.. Bur- |
ris said he wanted 70 deny the reports /
he heard on the streets that he held I
stock in the Atlas Bridge Company,
which prompted his action in the mat
ter. Mr. Burris said he never owned
a cents worth Of stock of this com
pany, or any company, and if it could
De proven willing to tender his
resignation = Governor.
Mr. Burris ID he had been Inform
cd by the Courts attorney, Julian G.
Walker. that the court could not stop
the payment on the check TO the
Bridge Company, which County
Treasurer Lippincott is holding. ow-
ing to the claim Of the Farmers Bank
against the Atlas Bridge Company.
Mr. Burris suggested that the court
call IN another attorney and ask him
for his advice in the matter.
Mr. Gooding suggested. that. as the
Levy Court owed the bridge company
other money, $1,000 be advanced to
The company SO it could proceed with
fhe work.
Commissioner Fouracre said that
loo MUCH had been said on Tuesda,
md he suggested that Consulting En-
sineer Greiner, who was present.
make statement. Mr.. Greiner sua-
gested conference and court took a
'ecess for half an hour. The mem
lers or the bridge committee. Mr.. /
iroiner, their attorney, and officials
md counsel Of the bridge company.
vent 70 the grand jury room for con
erence
On their return. on motion Of Mr.
smith, the matter was turned over Ia ,
ne bridge committee, and any other
PERSONS they might need to settle the /,
'ase. When court adjourned until
leNt Tuesday The committee was con !
idering the matter !
Prior to yesterday afternoons meet
ng. q conference was held in the !
curt room between several of the I
members and MIR Walker AT that /,
inc Mr.. Burris told Mr.. Walker mat /
the county lost the check for $4,000. .
which Treasurer Lippincott is hold
ng he lBurrisl thought the loss .
would be due to Mr.. Walker and 3
treasurer Lippincott