The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-18
THOROUGH PROBE
Of MOORE AFFAIR
is | N D | c A 7 { D
No Commissioner Except Nc
Lendon Summoned So Far.
Subpoenas Issued by For
mer Solicitor Tate

Rumors that the Jefferson county
grand jury would investigate the al
legged irregularities in office OF
George C. Moore, former street com
missioner, were verified Wednesday
when 1t was learned that D. E. Nc
Lendon, president : of the city COM
mission, who preferred the charges
that resulted in Moore's discharge
and others had been subpoenaed to
appear before the grand jury Janu-
cry rs. Among those summoned in
the investigation are MIR. McLendon
II. Marvin Taylor, city comptroller
J. T. Moser and H. C. Probst, city
detectives, and F. V. Daley, operative
of the Pierce Detective Agency. II
is rumored that others have been
summoned before the inquisitorial
body but this could not be verified.
Court house employees refused to
give any information concerning the
case but it was ascertained that the
subpoenas were issued by former
Solicitor Joseph r. Tate and were
placed in the hands Of the sheriff
with 400 others. for execution last
week. Mr.. Tate stated Wednesday
night that the case was brought to
his attention by some one outside
of the solicitors office but that he
was not at liberty to divulge the
identity of the person.
Davis Finds 1t On Docket
Solicitor James Davis, who entered
upon his duties January 10. said when
approached concerning the proposed
grand jury investigation of Moore :
conduct in office that he knew moth
ing specific about the case. He found
it on the grand jury docket, along
with many others, and will take it up
in due course, he stated.
Rumors that every member Of the
city commission but Mrs. Mary
Echols, commissioner of education
had been subpoenaed to appear be-
fore the grand jury, were denied by
those in position to know who was
summoned. A poll of the members
of the city commission verified this
fact.
Those summoned to testify before
the grand jury were all witnesses be-
fore the city commission at the open
hearing when Moore was discharged
for alleged misconduct in office
However, all the witnesses who APP
not subpoenaed to appear before the
grand jury. Bank tellers who tes-
titled as to Moores cashing certain
checks have not been subpoenaed
they stated when called Wednesday
night.
The proposed investigation by the
grand jury is an outgrowth of the
charges preferred against Moore by
- - I'll Il h y
alleged that Moore had carried fic-
titious names on his pay roll in the
street department and cashed checks
for them. The specific charge against
Moore was that he carried the name
of George Easley on the pay roll OF
the street department as an employe
in the garbage division when there
was no such person as Easley.
Witnesses Introduced
In an effort to substantiate his
charges, Mr.. McLendon introduced
Taylor, who testified that he had
concealed himself at certain banks
and seen Moore cash checks made
payable to Easley by impersonating
Easley. Moser and Probst stated be-
fore the commission that they had
arrested Easley as a vagrant while
Daley testified as to Moore's move
ments while street commissioner.
1t is stated unofficially that II. l.
Cage, operator of the Florence Hotel
Dry Cleaning company, had been sub
poenaed. Testimony at the hearing
before the commission tended to show
that Easley was employed by the dry
cleaning company at the time he was
being carried as an employe of the
city.
Following the hearing by the com
mission at which Moore was dis
charged the advisability of the city's
taking further action against him
was referred to City Attorney w. J.
Wynn, who has not reported. Mr.
McLendon said Wednesday that ne
thought the city would drop further
aotiop Uafnct Moore