Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-03
Police Commissioners.

presided.
The chairman pro tempore stated that
the meeting was a continuation OF thai
held on the third Wednesday of last
month. and had been called for the pur'
pose of taking action in reference to GER
tain structures cast upon Officers Lyle'
and Arlington in connection with Tho
arrest of Henry Wrenn, who had prop
erty in his poss ession which had been
stolen from Washington-Southern Rail
way cars. 1t had also been determined
to take further action in connection with
a charge of assault which bad been urged
against Lieut.. Smith by VIM. ii. Travers.
The latter ease, however, was postponed,
as a material witness was out OF the CITY,
as was also the lieutenants counsel
Mr.. Graham further stated that the evil
dence in the case of Officers Lyles and
Arlington was all in, and that after Of
ficer Arlington made his statement OF
the affair the board could act in the
matter.
Officer Arlington was called and be
made a statement which was substan-
italy the same as that of Officer Lyles at
the previous meeting.
Mr.. Lawler said from his point of
view the lawyers in their argument in
the Corporation Court during the trial
of Wrenn had good grounds for critics.
ing the officers. He said discipline was
essential in the force.
Mr.. Graham acquiesced in all Mr..
Lawler saiu.
Mr.. Lawler further stated that he
never believed the goods Wrenn and
Burnett had in charge when intercepted
by Officers Smith and Allen were on
their way to the station house. The
wagon was loaded with miscellaneous
articles, most of which were not in the
list of those stolen from the cars.
Mr.. Fisher said each officer should be
made to report all matters coming I'M
der his observation to his superior Off
GERS.
This opinion was c0hcurred in by
Mr.. Hill, who called attention to certain
evidence given at the previous meeting
to the effect that it was against ''pollce
diplomacy" for officers to report, under
certain conditions what they were
doing.
Mr.. Lawler said all would acknowl-
edge that the force at present was IN a
bad shape, and that the commissioners
should proceed at once to make 1t eiil-
cient. He called attention to the TACT
that the board could dismiss any men,
Der of the police force for cause, and he
felt disposed to adopt such course III
the case of the officers who had incurred
the criticism of the lawyers. lncompe-
tency was sufficient Cause to dispense
with the services of any policeman.
Some positive stand should be taken.
Messrs. Hill, Graham and Fisher
we're not disposed toward radical act on
at this time, from the fact that at the |
previous meeting it had been shown
that the custom on the part of privates
of keeping the superior officers in lg-
norance of what they were dong had
prevailed. They all, however, an
nounced their intention of adopting
drastic measures in such cases in the
future.
Mr.. Lawler still thought that some
punishment should be meted ont to the
two men whose actions had brought
about this investigation. He wanted
the Mayor to suspend both for ten days.
MFR. Hill observed that all concerned
would be made to know their fate
when guilty of similar conduct in
future.
Mr.. Fisher finally offered the follow
ing resolution
Resolved, That Officers Lyles and
Arlington be reprimanded by the Mayor
for indiscretion in the matter of not put
ting Wrenn under arrest at the time
Wrenn notified them of having bought
the stolen goods, and for the future
guidance of the police force all officers
shall make proper reports of happenings
which might come to their knowledge TO
their superior officers.
Mr.. LAWYER suggested that the Mayor
might not feel disposed to administer
the reprimand or to carry out the request
of the board to suspend.
1t was agreed that in such an event
the board would meet and carry out
their own wishes.
The resolution was adopted and the
meeting adjourned.
In furtherance of the above, Mr.. +.
f. Lawler, secretary of the board, this
morning sent the following communlca-
ton to the Mayor:
Alexandria, Va, August 4, 1904.
Hon. G. l.. Simpson, City;
Honorable Sir At a meeting of the
Police Board held last night, the board
unanimously decided that Officers Lyles
and Arlington were guilty of gross dere-
LECTION of duty in not reporting to their
superior officer, Lieutenant smith, the
confession made to them by Wrenn that
he had bought the stolen property and
would deliver the same at later hour to
the station house. The board further de.
oided that the said officers displayed bad
judgment by failing to place Wrenn
under arrest after making such COMES
sion. Then follows the resolution
aJopted by the board which appears
above to which the attention ofthe Mayor
is called. Respectfully,
+. E. LAWYER,
Secretary to Board.
n;so,dorIV COIOred Bows.