Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-21
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.

and Arlington Made in the Corpora
ton Court During the Burnett.
Wrenn Trial-COmmissioner Lawier
Declares that About One-haJf OF the
Force Virtually Do Nothing.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Board of Police Commissioners was held
last night.
No business was transacted, but con-
siderable discussion marked the meet
ing.
Mr.. Lawler, secretary Of the board,
read the minutes of the June meeting,
by which it appeared that the commits
sioners had then been discussing the
procedure of Officers Lyles and AIRING
ton in connection with the arrest of
Richard G. Burnett and Henry Wrenn,
who on the 18th OF April were in
tercepted by Officers Smith and Allen
while on o wagon on their way down
Prince street in the night time. In the
wagon were articles alleged to have been
stolen from Washington Southern Rail-
way cars. The facts in connection with
the case are as follows The authorities
had been notified that cars had been en-
tered and goods taken therefrom, and
box and some soap labels were found in
the yard of colored woman named
Rebecca Quill, they having, IL was al
legged been placed there by colored
man named Henry Brown. The latter
was subsequently arrested. Officers
Lyles and Arlington traced the stolen
goods to Wrenn's place where it was
evident they had been sold. The
officers went to Wrenn's store and
he acknowledged that he had purchased
the goods from Brown and promised to
deliver them at the station house that
night. The officers searched the place,
but tailed to find where they had been
DEPOSITED. In the meantime Lieutenant
Smith ascertained that Wrenn had that
morning disposed of three pairs Of shoes
to a secondhand dealer in this city. he
also secured other information which led
him to believe that the goods taken from
the cars were at Wrenn's store. DE
accordingly repaired thither and found
Officers Lyles and Arlington on the
premises. The officers stated that they
had searched the place, but they
failed to inform the lieutenant of the
fact that Wrenn had made confession
to them. The lieutenant determined to
search the place himself. He found
nothing, although it is now suggested
that the officers failed to enter loft be-
tween the ceiling and the roof Messrs.
Lyles and Arlington went off duty that
day, believing that Wrenn would fulfill
his promise to them and carry the goods
to the station house. Sometime during
the early part OF the night Wrenn, in
company with Richard Burnett, was
seen by Officers Smith and Allen to
emerge on a wagon from the area be-
tween Burnett's and Wrenn's houses at
the Stone bridge ard proceed east to-
wards Payne street. They turned north
into that thoroughfare and upon reach
ing Prince street turned east again. A
train of freight cars had blocked Fayette
street, and the wagon was stopped mid
way the square IN the shadow of the
houses and under some trees. The OFF,
GERS appeared at this point and took the
two men in custody. In addition to a
miscellaneous lot Of goods pistol, bot
tie of whisky and some cigars were
found in the wagon. Burnett and
Wrenn asserted that they were on their
way TO the station house. The snbse-
0uent events and the trial of the men be-
fore the Corporation Court are OF recent
date and are still fresh in the minds OF
newspaper readers.
Commonwealth Attorney Brent dur
ing the examination of the case in the
Police Court made certain structures
upon Officers Lyles and Arlington Tor
not arresting Wrenn upon his own con-
lession; also for neglecting to report his
information to Lieutenant Smith when
he arrived at Wrenn's place or to Chiel
Webster, who had directed the officers to
endeavor to locate the stolen goods and
identify the thieves. Mr. Brent during
the trial of the case in the Corporation
Court reiterated his criticisms in his ar
gument before the jury, while Mr.. Mon
cure, who defended Wrenn and Burnett,
made the assertion that varisnces be-
tween members of the police force en-
tered prominently in the case. 1t is
these structures the commissioners desire
to investigate and they have summoned
all parties connected with the charges
before them tonight, and Judge Barley
has issued an order for the production Of
Wrenn before the commissioners.
There was general interchange OF
opinion among the m.nissioners after
Mr.. Lawler had read articles from the
Gazette in connection with the arrest
and trial OF the accused. All the COM
missioners we're anxious to have the
charges investigated at once some saying
that if the charges were substantiated
the accused should be dismissed from the
force; if innocent they should be so de-
clared.
Mayor Simpson gave resume OF the
Burnett Wrenn case, as we'll as the part
the different officers took in the matter.
Officer Smith was called in and he an-
swered certain queries propounded him
by the Mayor and commissioners. Mr..
Smith denied that there were factional
fights among members of the police
force, as stated by Mr.. Moncure, counsel
; for Wrenn, during the trivl in the Cor
poration Court.
Ii was finally decided TO summon