Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-19
POLICE COM MIssIoNERs.


ing of the Board OF Police Commits
sioners last night, during which excited
colloquies took place between the
Mayor and some OF the commissioners,
Mr. Bryant taking the lead among the
latter. The friction ives caused by the
recent action of the Mayor 10 cases
where charges had been preferred
against policemen.
The netting was called to order
shortly after s o'clock, with Mayor
Simpson presiding. The secretary
stated that be had left bis minute book
at home, and the reading of the min
utes OF the last meeting were dispensed
with. A report of Chief Webster of
August Is, was read. The report re-
ferred to the case OF Policeman Arthur
Davis, who was brought before the
Mayor on the charge of having told
saloonkeeper named Emmert. who
conducts saloon on north Fayette
street, what policeman would be on
Enmerl's beat on q certain Sunday.
Phe charge was, it is stated, heard by
Mayor Simpson, and dismissed.
The Mayor referred to the case as
being "a comedy oil errors" He stated
that after an Investigation, at which
Commissioner Lawler was present. he
found that the charges were not sus-
tsined. and he dismissed the case.
Mr.. Bryant stated that the board had
not received any notice from the Mayor
of the suspension OF Policeman Roberts.
Policeman Roberts was some time ago
suspended for period of fifteen days
by Mayor Simpson for being found
asleep while he was supposed 20 be on
duty. Mr.. Bryant said that it was the
policy OF Mayor Simpson to ignore the
board on such matters, and that the
board did not think it right 10 him not
notifying them when he suspended
policeman. He said that for this rea-
son the board had on several occasions
set the verdict of the Mayor aside 10
such cases.
Mayor Simpson stated that he spoke
to Commissioner Lswler on the matter,
sud that he would be glad to give the
members of the board any information
they desired on the subject. Relations.
ne said, had always boon OF o most
pleasant nature with the board, and 1t
was not his intention to act 10 dis
courteous manner to them. He stated
that when he tried case he tried it as
Mayor OF the city, and not as Police
Com missioner. Here the Mayor cited
that there was no law which required
the Mayor to report such matters OF
this sort TO the commissioners, but that
there was a law In existence which re-
quired the Chief OF Police to report the
Mayors action to the commissioners.
A decision OF Judge Keith, in former
was cited as precedent
10 the case. Mayor Simpson stated that
he took pleasure in answering questions
put to him by any member OF the board
but be, OF course, answered them as q
matter of courtesy oDly-not that the
law required him to do 90. The Mayor
after some argument pulled from his
coat pocket a copy OF Judge Keith's de-
cision in similar case. The gist of the
J. cision seemed to be that there was no
law requiring the Mayor to report such
matters to the com missioners, but II
vas within the scope OF his official duty
10 do 80.
Commissioner Bryant was OF the
opinion that the charge against Police
nan Roberts was very grave one,
md be thought the penalty very light
or such 40 offence. Mayor Simpson
,ited that In Washington policemen
Tho had been brought up on similar
charges were fined the sum of $40.
Mayor Simpson stated that this was the
highest peDslty that he had ever i'm
POSED on q policeman Tor similar Of
eDce.
Mayor Simpson stated that he pro-
POSED to make no statement to the
commissioners if they demanded one.
Bryant wss of the opin-
on that the Mayor never acted within
he scope Of the Law. Mayor Simpson
lere stated that be would act In accord
nee with the law. Commissioner Bry-
.ut cited that suspensions made by
lin, the Mayor, only held good until
he commissioners met. Commission |
r Bryant said that it was the inten.
ion of the Mayor to make unqualified |
Mayor Simpson stated
hat If an appeal was made, he would
onvene the board, otherwise the board
1onld not be convened.
A few minutes later, after long col
guy between the Mayor and DIR. Bry-
ut, the latter arose, aud 10 an excited
tanner stated that the Mayor had lost
o opportunity to insult the board, and
ad acted 10 discourteoUs manner.
Isyor Simpson replied that the board
ad treated him Ia similar manner.
Bryant here stated that
10 case of Policeman Roberts had
rown cold and he would let it drop.
Commissioner Miller was OF the opin-
10 that if the Mayors action 10 such
Iatters were brought to the board by
le Mayor, the Mayors decisions would
3 upheld. He thought that the Mayor
sd gone out of latitude to iosult them.
he Mayor, be stated, bad not been
resent at meeting for two years.
Iayor Simpson resented being criti
sed, and stated that be did not pro
1se 10 stand it. Here Com 20 ssioner
IyaDt stated that he would on every
,cssion set the verdict OF the Mayor
de, and II the case was of sufficient
nportaDce have the officer brought up
I'd dismissed from the service.
At this point Of the proceedings the :
Iayor stated that Commissioner Law.
r was 8 young member OF the board
I'd asked him what was bic opinion
such a matter. Com missioner Law :
r ated that the board had been Doti-
ID OF the suspension OF Policeman
oberts 81 their first meeting in July,
ID it wss his opinion that the board
uld rot make the Mayor notify them 3
such cases. s