Evening star., 1902-08-21
Charge of IneHciency.

Charge Of Ineficiency.
A charge of inefticiency was registered
against the police force by Commissioner
l-aWler, who declared that the standard of
the department must be elevated. The
commissioners, he said, would effect a radi-
cal Improvement even if the most stringent
measures had to be adopted. At tls
point Mr.. Hill Contradicted a statement
that the board had power to remove every
man on the force. He said SubStantiated
charges were necessary for removal Mr.
Lawler denied that he desired to displace
any one, but maintained that his state
ment was correct. He had many COM
plants to make against the rules In his
opinion they were cumbersome and irregu-
lar and conflicting. The policemen. he
thought, either ignored certain city laws
or We're ignorant OF their existence. He
cited instances of alleged neglect for which
he said there was no excuse.
Mr.. Lawlcr referred to that section of
the new constitution which gives the mavor
power to suspend or remove any city Off
Ger for just cause. In this connection he
said the police must not be deceived by the
impression that they could appeal to the
corporation court from any decision of the
mayor or the commissioners.
1t was explained that under the old con-
stitution the corporation court had no au-
thority to review the action of the commits
sioners. There is no provision, it was point
ed out, under the new instrument for any
appeal from decision of the mayor by anv
member of the police force. 1t was the no
sltton of Messrs. Lawler and Fisher. con-
CURED III by the mayor, that the provisions
OF the old constitution relating to the po-
lice board remain in effect until some legis-
iatlVe action is taken in the matter
Policemen Have No Appeal.
In the new organic law no mention is
made of the police board, but while pro-
vision is made for an appeal to the corpora-
ton court from the action of the mayor in
suspending or removing any municipal off,
Ger, no such authority is conferred upon a
pollceman, who is state officer in case of
suspension or removal by the mavor In
any event, therefore, it was contended b,-
the majority, the policeman has no apneai
After discussing this question at length Mr
LaWler presented the resolution for the do
ing away with the rules II was nassaa
over Mr.. Hills opposition. Resolution
was then adopted directing the mayor +o
put INTO opera ton such rules and measures
as ne might deem necessary until a new
set OF rules could be selected On notinn
the chair appointed Messrs Hill. Fisher and
LAWYER TO constitute committee to form
me the rules' out as Mr. Hill declined to serve
the name OF the chairman was substituted
Mr. Fisher called attention to tho civ
quarter Whlch makes no provision for the
ONCE of police sergeant. He moved thai
me once Whlch was created some years
ago Dy the board, be abolished. whereunon
Mr. Hin made a strenuous opposition ua
thought it would work an unjust hardship
TO one VINO had grown Old in the police SER
wee reierrlng to Chief Webster). whose
duties, Mr. Hill said, would thereby he
increased. AS above stated however the
resolution was passed.
Power Conferred on Mavor.
Another resolution of Importance nassea
was that empowering the mavor to call
meetings of the board at the request of two
members. The meetings heretofore have
been called by the secretary. Just before
adjournment the officers were called in and
told Of the various changes ordered. The
relief squads in the future win go on dutv
at am. and 3 and II pm, instead of the
corresponding periods an hour earlier
Other changes relating to the disposition
of the men were announced and the meet
ing adjourned.
Mr.. Worthington Professor.
The announcement that Mr. Hugh Worth
ington Of Seminary Hill had been appointed
to be assistant in modern languages at
Richmond College has been received with
much qualification by his friends here.
Mr.. Worthington graduated last session at
the University of Virginia with the degree
of master Of arts. He was at one time one
of the star players of the university base
ball team In addition to his work in lam
guages in the college he will also teach
in the new academy to be established in
connection with the college.
Police Court Docket
Richard Pines, colored, an old offender.
was before Mayor Simpson in the police
court this morning on the charge of fighting
and disorderly conduct on the street In
the dock with Richard was William Carter,
for the same offense, and each figured as
complainant against the other 1t appeared
that they had engaged In Scrap and