The Washington times., 1902-08-21
ALEXANDRIA ITEMS
OF GENERAL INTEREST
olice Force IS Given a
Severe Shaking Up.
Reorganization of Board of Commission
ers Gives Mayor Simpson Control
Trouble With Garbage Train.

ALEXANDRIA. Aug. 2O.-The regu-
lice commissioners was held tonight
with Mayor George l.. Simpson presid-
| ing. and Messrs. Lawler Hill. and
Fisher the latter the new member from
/ the Third ward, present. In the alb
/ sence Of Secretary Miller Mr. f. E.
/ I.awler was elected secretary pro TEN.
| AS forecasted several days ago In The
! Times there were a numbr of radical
changes made in the workings OF the de-
| paItment. Heretofore Mayor Simpsons
faction has been in the minority. but
with the ele tion OF Mr.. Fisher. the new
member they are now in the majority
All rules governing the police force
have been rescinded: the squads have
been changed; the office Of sergeant has
been abolished and there was gem
expected that other changes will be
made in the near future. The police
We're given to understand that they will
have 10 do their duty in the future or
resign
Mr.. Thomas Fisher moved that the
board be reorganIzed and suggested that
Mr.. ,Lawler be elected secretary in
place of Mr. Miller Mr. Lawler was
theregpon elected permanent secretary
of the board.
The monthly report of Chief Webster.
which stated that Policeman Travers
had rendered his resignation to take ef-
feet August IS. was read Mr. Travers'
resignation was then read and accept
ed Mr.. Lawler moved that the board
hold an election tonight to fill tne va
cancy. MIR. Hill stated that ne thought
it was not customary to elect on the
night the resignation was accepted
Mr. Lawler explained that the meeting
Mr. Hill had reference to was a called
meeting. A vote was then taken and
all voted TO elect at once TO fill the
vacancy with the exception of Mr. Hill. |
The applications Of Messrs Daniel
Warder and Frederick Garvey were then
read. The latter was unanimously
elected. lie will be sworn in tomorrow
morning.
Mr. Lawler stated hat among the un
finished business was the case of Po- /
liceman Banner T. Young. who was /
charged with entering a barroom and
taking a drink while en- duty. and after |
ward suspended BY the mayor for fifteen /
days. which was brought up by Former /
Police Commissioner Bryant at the last 1
meeting He stated that the offense |
was very grave one. and according I
TO the rules the only thing that could /
be done was to dismiss the officer from I
the force. He, however moved that i
the action of the mayor in suspending /
Dir. Young be sustained and the board |
cOncurred in his motion.
Mr. I.awler stated hat the board of |
police commissioners now have the same /
power they had before the new State
constitution went into effect He statec
that he made this remark for the
benefit OF the policemen, as he recently |
read an article in a local paper to the |.
effect that it had been rumOred that a
policeman. under the new constitution,
could take an appeal from the decision
of the board OF commissioners 20 the
Judge of the corporation cou.t. lie
further stated that the board has the
power TO wipe cut the entire police
force and reorganize it If they deem it
necessary.
Mr.. LAWYER then introduced resoiu-
tion TO the effect that Il he present rules
are too lengthy and that they be hereby
declared null and void. The resolution
was passed by a vote of all except Mr.
Hill.
Mr. Fisher stated that in looking over
the rules governing the workings of tho
force h. observed that the rules called
for chief and lieutenant. but saw no
provision for the office OF sergeant.
which position was now being main
tanned on the police force. He moved
that the office. which is now held by
sergt. Charles T. Goods, be abolished.
and that the taxpayers would thereby
be gwen the benefit Of another man on
the street There would also. he said. be
more protection Mr.. Hill stated h.
would most emphatically vote against ,
it,
Mavor Simpson stated that the office
Of sergeant was very anomalous one.
rs the sergeant does the work o. the
-hief or lieutenant and does not receive {
any more pay for his work. Il
Mr.. Hill said that 1t did not do justice ,
10 an old man. who had served the best
portion OF his life and done so faithfully.
and they wanted to crush him to the
ground He said their object was to get I
a younger chief. and they could do so
f they wanted to. All voted to abolish {
he Office of sergeant. with the exception !
IF Mr.. Hill, and the office was therefore. {
declared vacant. According 10 'he now 1
'uling former Sergeant Goods viii lie
me OF the stationkeepers. Upon motion '
}, iii. Lawler Mayor Simpson was given 4
he power to call a special meeting Of
he board upon the recommendation Of c
wo members OF that body. Heretofore I
his had been the duty OF the secretary. d
As the old town clock tolled the hour
,f every member of the police fierce. +
rom chief down, We're called in before I
Y