Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-12
TIL: MADE HAPPY,
HOWARD, wH1TLoCK, AND BAILEY
BEFORE BOARD OF POLICE
COMMISSIONERS.
REPORTERS BARRED OUT.
but the witnesses Seemed Satisfied
With What Went On.
PROBABLY HOLD THEIR JOBS.
Board Finally Adjourned, After d
Long Session, to Reconvene After
the Horse shovv-yVill Then Con-
tinue to Investigate Affairs of Sc
cond, and Possibly Of Other Dis
tricts-Rcport to Public Delayed.

the Police Department OF the city from
the Chief down to the newest man on the
force, if developments seem to demand
such a course. Indeed, for some time
such an investigation has been going on.
There is no doubt that every member of
the force in the Second District, lnclud-
ing all Of the sergeants. acting ser
geants and privates, will be summoned
before the board and given an oppor-
tunity ito give an account OF them
Selves
Last night Major Howard, Captain
Huce. Captain Whitlock, and Sergeant
Bailey were given an opportunity to do
this, and it is believed that the state
ments made to the board by them We're
satisfactory and that they will not be
recalled again on their personal account.
1t was intimated last night that wnen
all of the members of the force have
been given an opportunity to tell what
they know, that the same privilege will
be extended the public to give the board
the benefit of what it may know con-
corning the department So much has
been said against the members OF the
force that the board desires to give each
and every citizen a chance to give the
board the full benefit of all he may
know.
Charge by Citizen.
It is understood that charge has been
brought against one of the captains, and
that citizen will be summoned to tell
what he knows about it. Like good
many other such cases, this one IS eN-
pected to fall when the pinch comes.
The next meeting will be held on Mon
day afternoon of next week.
The ,oard convened at o'clock, and
after consideration of the charge against
officer Huntington, an account of which
is given elsewhere in the Dispatch, then
went again into executive session, and
for nearly four hours worked hard over
the matters before it. But for the uneX-
pected trial of Mr.. Huntington. it is be-
Siieved that the board would nave put
the finishing touch on its expected public
report.
A Searching Investigation.
The fact that the board has authorized
the statement that there shall;be a search
ing and far-reac ching investigation. Will
satisfy the people, who, 1T is believed
will be content to await the work OF the
board without prejudice until 1T has either
acquitted itself or condemned 1tself oy
its own actions. 1t is evident that there
is a popular demand that if any one has
not done his duty, and there are no miti-
eating circumstances, that member,
whether an officer or a private, should be
deposed and another elected to MS place.
After the board had heard the state
ments Of the officers called as WITNESSES
there was a short conference before ad-
iournment, and at one time 1t sounded 10
the reporters, who were in the ante-room
killing time, that a rough time was in
evitable.
Called for Orders.
Commissioner Manning evidently mad
something to say that one or more OF the
members did not concur in or did not want
to hear. Mr. Manning seemed determined
to have mis- say, and the Mayor had to caii
loudly several times for order, Wnlch
was finally secured Mr.. Manning then
finished, and in a few minutes the ooaru
adjourned and left quickly for their homes
Mavor Tavlor took car in front Of Muir
phv's, and was soon out of the ram
Ma Tor Howard looked serene. and when
tho ast commissioner told him goodnight,
he in company with the janitor, put the
lights out and departed Sergeant Bailey
remained and went out with one OF the
commissioners. Captains Hulce and WHIT
lock left fully an hour before the session
was ended The expression on Captain
Whitlock's face was much more cheer
full than before he was called into the con-
ference 1t is evident that he feels easy,
although when approached by reporter
of the Dispatch he said he had little to
say. He said: "Any OF you fellows come
around to nv place III lock you up-in my
office. with me-" The few minutes the
officer spent with the board lifted great
burden from his mind.
The Chiefs Strong Card.
It was said last night that Major How
ard holds a strong hand in the board. For
several years Major Howard. it was ex7
planned, made a desperate effort to break
up the gambling, which was VIGOROUSLY
known to exist in the Second District.
Each order brought a report that mo
gambling could be discovered" Last
March Major Howard started all of the
present trouble by issuing an order to
each of the captains to raid all places IN
which gambling was known to exist. The
result is we'll known.
AS for Sergeant Bailey, he was all smiles
and he looked as though he was feeling
better than he had for a long time, when
he left the City Hall. He said he could
say nothing, but when he heard one of
the commissioners say to the Dispatch
scribe: Bailey gave a much better ac-
count Of himself than thought he could, =
ne looked pleased and disappeared. It
looks as though he is still in good repute
with the board.
What Captain Hulce was called by the
board for is matter of conjecture and
viii! not be known certainly until the in
vestigation shall have been completed,
and the report made by the board.
One, or All Three:
After the meeting the commissioners
were very reticent, claiming that there
was a positive understanding among them
that nothing should be divulged further
than the simple statement that an in
vestigation was in progress. One commits
sioner, when pressed. said he could not
tell yet whether the affairs of all three
districts were to be inquired into. but he
was positive that the Second District is
going to have thorough Cleaning and
busting. - Whether any of the men on
duty IN this district will be reduced, or
whether there will be nySvacancies .occa-
stoned. is undetermined.
The proceedings of the meeting, in
Guiding the. statements of the officers,
were all taken in short hand by Officer
Pollock, who was recently elected to the
force and detailed for clerical work at
police Headquarters in the City Hall. Mr..
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