Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-19
GROSS CLEARS
CANDIDATES
OF ALL BLAME
Council Investigation Shows
Men Not Disqualified For
City Position

Councils informal investigation OF
the statement made by Commissioner
Gross in explanation of why he
could not vote Tor Harry +. owes,
William S. Tunis or Ed. c. First,
three candidates for city treasurer,
resulted in vindication OF the men
in question, and in an understanding
of the position taken by Mr.. Gross.
The accusations of the councilman
proved to be little more than a
tempest in a teapot.
Interpretation of the remarks by
each of the three candidates by Com
missioner Gross followed by their
denials of an offer of any valuable
thing to him, brought the confer
ence to a halt. For almost half an
hour there were little private dis
cussions between councilmen, the
candidates and some of the newSpa-
permen who were permitted to be
present.
Then Mayor Keister read the fol-
lowing question, which had been
written while the group discussions
were on:
Candidates Qualified
Mr.. Gross, in the light of the ex-
| plantations made by these three
gentlemen tonight, do you believe
that any remarks that were made tc
you would disqualify either of then
from being elected to the office o.
city treasurer"
| Commissioner Gross asked Mayol
Keister to read the question again
then replied with some hesitation:
No
That ended the investigation, 81
| far as any more questions and state
ments were concerned.
/ Mr.. First then thanked the coun
cilmen for having him present.
MIR. Owes said he was satisfied an'
that it was almost full Vindica
ton.
Mr.. Tunis said he felt that Com
missioner Gross meant no harm t.
any of the three and that he wa
satisfied that he had been cleared.
Mr.. Gross Speaks
Mayor Keister in calling the meet
ing to order he explained the purpos
[, of the session, and stated that ther'
was no meeting of council, only al
informal conference. He then calle'
on Commissioner Gross for a state
| ment.
The councilman took the floor ant
said he had nothing to add to hi
statement in the private conference
about two weeks ago. He repeated
his confidence in the integrity of tn
men in question so far as the tegallt.
of their solicitation was concerned
but reiterated his stand that IL
! could not vote for them, as he. con
sidered their offer of support an'
assistance" a valuable thing.
Commissioner Burtnett did mos
of the cross examination. lie ques
toned not only Commissioners Gros
| about previous statements but als'
the three candidates about any one
| they made to the councilman Wh'
would not vote for them.
Mr.. Owes was the first of the thre'
to be called. Instead of making an.
remarks he offered a sworn state
ment made before Deputy Prothono
tary Henry L. Holler. In the affidavi
| MIR. owes averred he at no time made
any improper offer to COMMISSIONS
Gross, and only asked the latter t
vote for him, promising to fulhll hi
| duties as city treasurer il reelected
to the best of his ability.
Asked For support
Mr.. Tunis when called upon, tol(
of an accidental meeting with Com
missioner Gross, and repeated mucl
| of the conversation. He said he tolt
the Councilman he was candidate
| for the office and was promised con
sideration. He told the commits
sioners the only reply he made t.
the promise was that he would b'
grateful for Mr.. Gross support.
| MIR. First said he made the rounds
visited the councilmen, told then
of his candidacy but only did so II
| a legitimate way When asked if hC
| had promised Mr.. Gross any assist
ance he replied he had not, but haC
told Commissioner Gross he woult
support him in the future.
Commissioner Burtnett then begar
series of questions which brought
out the situation clearly, showing
that it was largely a question oi
Commissioner Gross Interpretation
of the manner in which each of the
three men had approached him.
Commissioners Hassler and Lynch
took little part in the discussion
stating at intervals that no offers had
been made to them. The latter finally
said he believed there had been d
serious misunderstanding and the
other councilmen agreed.
Commissioner BURNETT then eX-
planned his only object was to cleal
the three men in question and tc
clear Commissioner Gross.
Council will probably elect q
treasurer next Tuesday. That Com
missioner Gross will not vote for any
of the three men is anticipated but
in not doing so the other members
of council said they were now as
sured his action would not be based
OH a MISUNDERSTANDING of the talks
with the three candidates but be.
cause of another preference.