Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-28
At BOARDS REQUEST
MAYOR TAYLOR EXPLAINS H1s sUs-
PENSION OF PoEICE-oAPTA1x
ANGLE.
UP TO THE BOARD, HE SAYS.
Commissioners Expected to substan-
tate the Charges Made.
POWER OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
President Turpin, Of the Board Of Al
dermen, Digs Out Law Bearing
on the Case-President Bloomberg,
OF the Council, Says Mayor Should
he Member and Vote on Every
Turpin, Of tho Board Of Al

The announcement Of the action Of the
Board Of Police Commissioners suspend
ing Police Captain James 3. Angle, pend
ing an investigation of charges Of con-
duct unbecoming an officer and neglect Of
official duty caused a sensation yesterday
In fact, it was the uppermost topic among
the men everywhere-in the police. de-
partment itself, on The street corners, and
wherever groups and knots of men con-
gregate.
The air was full Of rumors that other
officers Of the force were to be suspend
ed, but so far as they can be traced to
any authoritative source, there is no
ground for these reports other than the
suggestion Of the mayor that the invea-
tigation should begin at the top and
20 to the bottom, and the language :of
the board in the statement read by Mr.
Landerkin at the meeting on Friday at
ternoon In that statement, which was
evidently drawn with the utmost care, it
was stated that charges have been per-
sistently made against members mot a
member) Of the police force, under our
charge and supervision" Further on the
board says: I'VE have now, however,
determined as far as possible to sift all
these charges to the bottom
Furthermore, the mayor, In stating
his position and explaining why he had
not flied charges or suspended officers,
told the board that In his view Of the
Of Io iof Of
Police to notify him of charges, either
filed by himself the chief or by any citi-
zen. One clause of the city charter, re-
ferred to by Mr.. William NJ Turpin else
where, would seem to confer upon the
Chief, not only the power Of suspension,
but even that OF removal for cause, Of
any officer, pending investigation of
charges by the board.
Mayor Acted for Board.
Mayor Taylor insists that he has no
charges to prefer Of his own knowledge
and no testimony bearing on charges
against Captain Angle, and that in fling
charges against that officer he did SO at
the request of the board.
Police Commissioner Basher in con-
versation with a reporter for the
Dispatch Friday night stated: " Our
action is directed against the en-
tire department, if it deserves it"
It has been stated by all that there is to
be a, general investigation Of the police
department. Such an Investigation fairly
and fearlessly conducted could but estab-
lish truth and justice and exonerate men
guilty of neglect or misconduct from even
suspicion Of such official dereliction
The rumors on the street that this, that
or the other officer would be charged with
neglect of duty or incompetency. evidence
Of which is said to be in possession Of
the board, cannot be traced to the board,
and probably originated from the fact
that a general investigation was to be
had. At least one officer protested last
night against the publication of rumors
that charges were to be preferred against
them without specifying the charge or
who would prefer it.
1t VIII Be Searching.
That tho Board Of Police Commission
ers has determined to make a thorough
inquiry and investigation into the entire
police department there can be no sort
Of doubt. for they have specifically and
publicly so stated Up to this time, how
ever, no charges have been filed against
any one with the single exception of the
officer named.
tons Of the mayor and the Board of Po-
lice Commissioners vary widely. Many
contend that the board is right in its
contention that the mayor has full power
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2a)