Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-16
Grand jury and Police.


The grand jury of the Corporation
Court which has been investigating GER
tain allegations against the police force,
AS well as charges concerning the aIegeu
sale of liqnor and cocaine without d
,.c,nse nd the sale of intoxIcants 10
minors. last night submitted the follow
ing report of their findings to the court;
To the Honorable Judge of the Corporation
Court: 60. .- A..
The grand jury now sitting presents the
following report: -, -.
adduced TO show the violation OF Sunday laws
by licensed liquor dealers.
Violation of the revenue laws-Thc com
missioner Of revenue appeared before us, ana
from his statement at this time there are nc
violations Of the revenue laws
Sale of liquor to minOrs-A report hav ing
been made that dealer was selling to
minors evidence was heard which showed
that he had been givingbeer TO an errand boy.
Adulterated aud misbranded food-We
have heard no evidence showing the sale Of
adulterated or misbranded food.
Sueakeasies and cocaine hends-After close
lv examining all witnesses we feel confident
hat sneakeasies exist and thrive and the sale
and use of cocaine is growing to an alarming
-
extent -, o,a
10 yonr consideration the number Of men and
Nyo,npn both white ard cOlored, who LOAF
.around corner grOggeries without visi Die
means Of support. They should be made 10
work or forced out OF the city.
The police department-1he evidence VI
the entire department shows the eNIs.ence VI
nreiudice chickering's and INSTRUMENTATION,
fes1lting in general inefficiency. To correct
this apaIliug condition we recommend an IN
terpreiation. in writing, by your honor de-
fning the duties of the Mayor and the Com
,nonwealth's Attorney, this because OF recent
conflict OF opinion. We further recommend
an absolute reorganization OF the force, De
lieving. as we do, that nothing satisfactory
can be brought from the present chaotic OF
ganizaton. In our judgment young, acliVeiY
industrious and intelligent men are needed
With such material more efhcient Dooy
will protect the dignity OF the law, lie ana
property OF our citizens.
WORTH HULFISH, Foreman.
The grand jury was composed OF
NIessrs. b. Baer, jr., Worth Hulhsh,
Henry K. Field, w. f. Balm, R E.
Knight. J. Y. Williams, f. E. Lawler,
George D. Hopkins, Z NJ. Anderson,
L. Stabler. aud 5. +. Lindsey.
They jury returned the folio wing IN
dictments: Commonwealth vs.. fairy
McLearen, for promoting, managing and
drawing lottery for money; Common
wealth VS.. Frank Sheppard, for SINH
lar offense; Commonwealth VS. Charles
TYLER for selling liquor without license,
and Commonwealth Va. Richard =. Bur
nett and Maggie j. Burnett, for similar
offenses.
Judge Barley, in his written definition
Of the powers and duty of the Common
wealth's Attorney, the Mayor and mem
bers Of the police force will simply call
attention to the fact that all State officers
are required to vie with the Common
wealth sAttOrney by securing information
against offenders and promptly furnish
inc him with the same. This, it is said,
has not always been the case, as was
charged last winter by Mr.. Brent when
engaged ia pre- scouting Richard Burnett,
adjoining whose premises two barrels OF
stolen whisky had been found. Several
policemen on that occasion were wines
ess for the defense Judge Barley ever
since he was called upon to preside over
the Corporation Court has been dlligent
in his efforts to bring all offenders to
;ustice. while Mr.. Brent as Common
wealth's Attorney has worked asslduons
ly to the same end. The Judge 1t viii
he remembered, in his charges to tho
grand jury has invariably directed thei
attention to certain forms of lawlessnes'
in Alexandria. 1t has been charged
that the police force has not proven Il
be the auxiliaries to the court as wa
naturally expected, and it is farihe
observed that the Communicative Al
aorney furnished IS per cent. OF the les
aimony placed before the present granl
jury.