New Britain herald., 1926-10-22
MELBOURNE RECALLS DAVIDSON CHARGE
Expresses Regret for Attack on
 Adjustment Board Member
THREATENED WITH SUIT
T Am Prepared To Go To Court" Commissioner Says Regarding Re- 1cction On His Honor-Petitioner Rcpudiates Own Lawyers.

Rcpudiates Own Lawyers.
 Threatened with lawsuit unless statements made several weeks ago linking Commissioner S. NJ. Davidson Of the board Of adjustment with gasoline station interests were re- tracted, Edward O. Kilbourne. prom inent Stanley Quarter resident and author of the statement last night publicly apologized.
 Kilbourne has applied for spe- cial exception to the zoning act which would permit him to place a filling station in a residence district, at the entrance to Stanley Quarter park. At the first hearing on his case. Commissioner Davidson re- marked that the opposition had made several good points in its ar gument, and Kilbourne interrupted to ask the commissioner if he was acting as attorney for rival gasoline dealers In Stanley Quarter. David son immediately disqualified him. self. At successive meetings the commissioners declined to take part in discussion of kilbourne's case but nothing further was heard of his plans until he arose last night, and addressing Vice-Chairman J. E. Cooper, said:
 Asks Kilbourne To Explain
 'T am arising on a point Of per sonal privilege. I don't know whether the board wants to go into this matter any further, but I want to ask Mir. Kilbourne If he Is still of the same opinion as he expressed at previous meeting about me. To be perfectly frank. I was dumb founded; 1t came like a bombshell thrown by one man at another per son.
 Since then I have been retiecting and outside partie. have talked the matter over with me. am in doubt whether Mir. Kilbourne spoke in jest or if he felt that possibly he had some reason.
 T take this position: that when an accusation is made against a mem Der of the board, he should either be cleared or he is not only disqualified to act in that particular case, but in all cases and should resign. We have a very important function to perform, too important to have a question about our standing exist.
 "I want it so thoroughly under stood in the minds of the general public that there will be no ques- ton. And I make this statement: If I am not cleared tonight. If MT. Kilhourne does not retract what he has said as publicly as his original statement. I am prepared to go to court with him. I haven't consulted a lawyer, but I will bring some sort of action for damages, not that l want any money from him. If he is ready to say, I will give him an opportunity tonight"
 Mir. Kilbourne Retrncts
 Kilbourne replied: T am glad to do so, Mir. Davidson. l trust l haven't been discourteous to any member of the board of adjustment would rather take this up outside where I got my information. If the board wants to know I'll tell the board privately. I have the great est confidence in Mir. Davidson and every member of the board and l know that you are all honest and fair minded"
 Judge Cooper, acting chairmaG thanked Kilbourne for his compli- ment to the honesty and fair mind edness of the commissioners.
 Prior to the Davidson -Kilbourne discussion. the commission had vot. ed to continue the hearing on the petition at the request of Hunger ford & Saxe who have represented fCpptinued An pace 1ol