The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-11
WOULD NOT PROBE
CHARGE BY MYERS
Subcommittee Finally Meets and
Says It's Not a Matter of
Legislative Action.
CROWD WAITED TO TESTIFY
DR.. Christian and Delegate Myers
Urged mittcc to Give
Full Hearing.

| The House investigation OF the Ny
ers-Christian incident, which grew out
Of An effort on the part of Rev. w.
Asbury Christian TO secure Delegate
Myerss vote for the nuisance bill, came
to an abrupt end yesterday afternoon.
| when the subcommittee OF the House
Committee on Privileges and Elections
refused to hear evidence and decided
that IT had no Jurisdiction. The Willis
resolution VIII therefore be sent baclt
to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections without recommendation
This action was taken only after
both Delegate Myers and Dr. Christian
had made vain appeals for n full and
| open hearing of the evidence. Trouble
began when the committee failed to
meet at 2 o'clock which was the time
sot by Chairman Pennington for the
hearing. The courtroom of the State
Corporation Commission was crowded
at that hour with men and women,
many OF whom had come to testify In
the case. Although Chairman PenninE-
ton, Delegate oliver and Delegate Rol-
ston, composing the investigating com
mittee. each appeared individually In
the courtroom. efforts to get two of.
them In the room at the same time
were Intellectual.
Advised Oliver to Rcsien
shortly before o'clock Delegate
oliver entered the room and announced
| that no meeting OF the Investigating
committee would he held. Whereupon
Dr. Christian protested against such
action. calling 1t injustice TO make
ousy men como to testify Mt the com
mittects request only to be sent awav
because the committee did not choose
| TO assemble. Delegate Oliver explained
that the members OF the committee
were very busy.
i would like to call your attention
TO the fact that this committee was
named by tho chairman OF the House
Committee on Privileges and Elections
to investigate the charges brought
against me by Delegate Myers" said
DR. Christian. "You were given leave
to absent yourselves from the House
In order to sift this matter. do not
understand why, with all three mem
you cannot got quorum"
Delegate oliver reiterated his posi-
tion that the members OF the commit
tee were 100 busy To meet at that tim,
IN that case" replied Dr. Christian
would suggest that you resign and
allow your place to be taken by some
one with time to attend to the duties
of the position"
II thank my friend for the advice
but stall exercise my own discretion
In that matter" replied Mr.. oliver.
protest that you are not treating
i'' "''h iai' ness Salu Jr. Christian.
Il am due an open hearing"
Il VIII carry your protest to the
committees. answered Delegate Oliver
leaving the room
After another delay OF thirty min
utcs. Chairman Pennington entered tho
room ana made the announcement that
the committee had agreed to meet
again at q o'clock
All Demanded Hearing.
When the committee convened Mt
$50 o'clock Chairman Pennington
stated that the committee was In doubt
as TO its authority To act upon the reso-
luton. ana wished to hear cXpressions
from the Interested parties on the right
or the committee to take evidence
Delegate Willis OF Roanoke. patron
or the resolution coudcmning the lobby
declared that tho committees could In
FORM itself Of the real circumstances
In no other way than by an open hear
ing. The Rcv. james Cannon sneak
ing Tor DR.. Christian. urged n full In
Vestigation. ana Delegate Myers took
the same position.
Il was approached while a member
or the Legislature In u manner which
thought reflected on the dignity or
The House" said Mr.. Myers. ",rhe
matter Is obviously one for consider
alton by the Legislature and you have
been commissioned by tho House to con-
slider II. Either I have done Or. Chris
tinn n gross injustice or he has done
mo one. ~ full and open investigation
Is only right. lf [ was wrong I nm
man enough to go to DR.. Christian and
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