The morning times., 1897-01-22
WEBSTER Was INDICATED
An Unfounded Report Regarding
Alexandria's Chief of Police.
1t Was to the Effect That He Had
Refused Sergeant Smith
a Warrant.

A meeting of the board of police COM
missioners was held last night, at s
O'Clock, in the police court room. There
We're presentthe mayor, and Commissioners
Lindsey, Strauss, Bryant, and Tackett
The proceedings were strictly private, even
reporters being excluded from the room.
In addition to the routine business, the
special object of the meeting was the in
vestigation, at the request of Chief Web
ster, of the allegation made in a Wash
ington morning paper, and rumors on the
streets to the effect that Sergt. Smith had
been refused a warrant for the purpose of
| rading a suspected house in this city.
A number of witnesses were examined by
| the board, including ex-Mayor Downham,
| Strauss, and Commonwealth Attorney
Marbury.
| Ex-Mayors Strauss and Downham, in
| their statements to the board, commended
| Chief webster for his efficiency and excel
| lent service during their respective terms.
Sergt. Smith emphatcally denied the
| statements made to the effect that he
| had circulated the rumor that a warrant
| was refused him at the hands of either
| Chief Webster or Lieut.. Smith. The cor
| respondent who gave publicity to the ru-
NOR stated that he had done so unwiJtihgly,
| and had corrected the error Chief Web
ster was fully vindieated by the statements
of each and every witness called.
Sergt. Smith was commended for his re-
| cent raid Oh the policy shops.
| Instructions were issued that in future
| all warrants must be issued from the
| mayors office and ''filled i'm by either
| the mayor, chief lieutenant or sergeant.
| The rule making officers responsible for
| all misdemeanors committed on their re-
| spective beats was en-. oined upon each mem
Der OF the force. The rule prohibiting
| lettering in and around the police station
| by persons not connected with or having
business with the police department was
directed 10 the attention of the officers of
| the police force.
| Randolph Javins, well-known resident
of Fairfax county, was arrested last
evening by Officer Goods, on complaint OF
l,Carlie Wood, who charged Javins with
the larceny of $19.75. The two men had
| been drinking together. The case will be
heard in the mayors court this morning.
The Wednesday Euchre Club was enter
tanned at Miss Mehaffey's by Miss Emily
Gibson. The prize was won by Mrs. c. w.
| Ashby.
| Information was received by the city
| authorities yesterday afternoon of a case
| of extreme poverty and suffering on the
| river front, near the electric railway bridge
| which spans Hunting Greek. Officer Rob-
erts was detailed to investigate the case,
| and when he arrived at the habitation of
| John Williams and his wife, he was amazed
at the condition of the couple. He found
Williams and his wife living in the cabin
| of a pungy boat, without food or fuel.
The wife wasextremely y illwith pneumonia,
| and the man, stated that he had been IN
able to secure the services of physician
| or to obtain medicine.
| She had not only suffered from hunger
| and for the want of medical attention,
but had not sufficient clothing to protect
her from the weather. The matter was
| reported to the authorities by the officer,
but as the family are outside of the city
limits, it is probable that the city will call
the attention of the Fairfax county authori-
ties to the case. The officer who in
vestigated the case is confident that the
woman will die il She does not receive
nourishment and medical attention
Rev Fields Cook, a well-known colored