Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-19
Reform Bodies Win
Point in Revolving
Cab Drivers License

Cab Drivers License
The outstanding feature of the July
meeting of the Augusta City Govern
ment held at City hall Monday eve
ming was the consideration of the
matter of revoking of the cab drivers
license granted to Felix Voytoyvich.
AS a result of the presentation of the
evidence and upon motion of Alder
man Gedney the license was revoked.
! eighteen voting for and none against
| the motion.
The hearing caller forth a large
gathering of spectators, many of
whom were women representing sew
ieral socia! reform organizations of
the city who were evidently out in
support of the suppression of the so
called traffic in women and were
headed by Miss Mabel Conner who
conducted the hearing on the part of
the prosecutors.
| ATTORNEY John E. Nelson of the law
firm of Andrews & Nelson appeared
! for Noytoyvich and at the opening
, opposed the reading of three letters
! containing dispositions of three girl
inmates of the State Women's Refor-
matory at Skowhegan upon the
grounds that they did not constitute
a legal evidence acceptable in court
of law. The dispositions, however.
were admitted and We're confessions
made before a trial justice at Show
! hogan to the effect that the man so
charged was guilty of violations of
the traffic ordinances of the city of
Augusta and also charged immoral
conduct on his part toward them.
The confessions were forwarded by
G. NJ. Johnson, superintendent of the
/; institution. and were directed to Mrs.
William r. Pattangall.
A noticeable stir was created when
Attorney Nelson acting upon request
of Alderman Gedney, presented the
accused Voytoyvich who stood up
right in the center of the room and
was referred to by his counsel as
Exhibit A." Voytoyvich using brok-
/ en- English in answer to questions put
to him by his counsel, fatty denied
any knowledge of the charges as pre-
isented, saying that he was married
man and did not know the girls in
question and had never INDUCED in
such traffic as was charged. He said
! that he did not ask any questions
when parties hired him and supposed
that at all times he was within his
rights. City Solicitor NJ. F. SawtelIe
gave his opinion that the evidence as
given against the man could not be
Substantiated in a court Of law. The
names of the girls entering into the
case were Lena Strout, Elizabeth
Weymouth and lisa Mari. who have
police records in this city and have
been committed to the reformatory at
Skowhegan.
Judge Robert A. Cony appeared
and gave evidence regarding warn
ings having been given the respon-
dant some two years ago His re-
collections in the case were some
what haZy.
For the defense Attorney Nelson
presented City Marshall George
Mckinney who said that the respon
dant had never been complained of to
his department and that he thought
the man was alright. He also said
that he would not accept Tie word OF
the three girls in any case.
When Alderman Gedney offered his
motion for revoking of the license t!e
women present gave vent to they.
feelings in a noticeable round of ap
plause which was greeted by u severe
criticism from MAJOR Fos:S who
scored their action.
Other business transacted at the
meeting was the passing o. The roll
of accounts No. totaling s542j7.40,
and the granting of the petition of
the Central Maine Power 20. % err
rect and maintain wires and poles for
transmission of power on scvera. out
laying highways of the city.
The members present were Alder
mon Williams, HoWes, Vote, with g
and Gedney, Cou ncimcn Dreamer,
Hilton, Chase, Kinsman. Pelletjer,
Knowles, Dutton, Burr, Leavitr lat
terson, Mason and Scribncr