Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-15

After hearing from the few witnesses
who appeared little of a character un-
complimentary TO the soldiers who
forced their way Into the Fair Grounds
last Wednesday night. the board Of
investigation, composed of Lieutenant
Colonel 10 Lane Stern. Major l.. w.
Bowles and Major Allen Potts. appoint
al by Lieutenant Colonel Salomonsky,
adjourned yesterday, and Will probably
submit it's findings In writing to-day
No testimony was given by either Cen
cral Manager w. Conway Saunders. OF
the state Fair Association. or Captain
x. T. Sowcll of tho Police Department.
who had previously made the most
damaging charges against the militia
men.
A body OF soldiers numbering about
eighty-cight who appeared 10 be all
those who took part In the disturbance
~ the Fair Grounds on Wednesday
night, were examined by the board.
The soldiers admitted entering the gate
of the fair without paving. but denied
that they had been disorderly inside.
William Haynes. John G. !icnan and
NJ ;. Farmer, Gatckcepers at the Fair
Grounds, who witnessed tRc entry OF
The men into the enclosure Wednesday
evening, testified that they had seen
no disordcrly conduct other than the
omission OF the soldiers to present
tickets. The gatemen declared that
they thought the affair was a joke on
Layton who appeared at the investiga-
t!on, but did not give sworn testimony,
stated that he saw no part OF the af-
fair. but that II there had been a dis
rivbancc. he thought he would have
heard Of H.
MAJOR POTTS OFFERED TO
HUY TICKETS FOR SOLDIERS
Major Allen Potts. n member Of the
noard. testified that he had offered to
buy 100 tickets for the soldiers after
;hey had forced their way into the
Fair Grounds. but that the fair au-
thorities had declined to take the
money. Major Potts quoted Leigh r.
rage. ono OF the directors OF the fair
association. AS saying that he did not
believe the charges of misconduct made
against the soldiers were true.
The authorities of the state Fair
Association and OF the Police Depart
inent who were directly concerned In
the affair Wednesday night, stated
shortly after tho occurrence that they
would leave the matter entirely in
the hands OF the officers at Camp
Stuart.
From the evidence presented to the
board of inquiry. it Is thought prob
able that the soldiers will be reported
guiltlcss of all the charges except that
OF forcing an entrance into the Fair
Grounds.
COLONEL SALOAI0SSKY
ItEstINEIS DlSORIDIGR of MEN
Lieutenant-Colonel sal IN o n g k Y,
commander OF Camp Stuart. expressed
regret yesterday afternoon at the bad
opinion of the soldiers the occurrence
was likely to create.
considering that we have had here
total of about $500 men. and bearing
In mind the natural tendency, OF sol
diers to get into mischief. ! think tho
order has been remarkable. Until
Wednesday night tho men had got into
no troubles of anything like seri-
Gus nature. 1t is unfortunate that/the
report of the prank Of eighty-eight
men should bring discredit upon the
whole State militia. I think il has
DONE" he said.
General Manager w. Conway Saun-
ders, of the State Fair Association and
several members of the board of di.
rectors, denied emphatically last night
that there had been allowed to oper-
ate any show OF an Objectionable char
acter on the Midway. AS had been init
mated in certain quarters. Mr. Saun-
ders said that he and several assist
ants made a round of tho grounds sew
cral times each day and night for the
inspection of the performances, and
that every act was open and above
board director stated last night
that there was absolutely nothing
within the grounds against which COM
plant could he made.
Mr. Saunders said last night that he
had been placed in Il false position I'm
the controversy in connection with the
militia trouble, at has becn sa id Ar