Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-24

between chief and sergeants. The lat
ter could be given priority by number
ing them |, and 3.
Mr.. Lawler asked the Mayor to state
the specific duties of chief under the
plan proposing three sergeants.
The Mayor acknowledged that this
off ;ial's duties were not clearly defined,
although he would be expected to be
available at any time should he be
needed. He would practically be his
own Judge concerning the duties he
owed the community.
These ideas did not meet with Mr..
LAWYERS approval, as he evidently sup
posed this community too small for any
dress parade officials.
Mr.. Fisher said the proposed plan
amounted in substance to that in vogue.
The interchange of opinion continued,
during which Mr.. Lawler asked il an up
to-date chief to meet the requirements
of the board could be procured for 500 g
month.
Mayor Paf said Petersburg paid the
chief of police 5000 year.
Many of the observations which had
previously been made were threshed
over, Mr.. Fisher still insisting upon his
motion to go into the cleo ion OF chief
Mr.. Hill-'1s there any charge against
the chief?'
Mr.. Fisher Similar charges as thUse
urged against Messrs. Howson and Ii
cer."
Mr.. Hill asked if Chief Webster was
a paralylic. He said he is the most in
telIigent man on the force, but by reason
of his age could not get around as
easily as in previous years.
Mr.. Fishers motion had received no
second and Mr.. Hill seconded Mr.. Ora
hams notion to adopt Mayor PATS plan
and it prevailed, Mr.. Fisher voting no
and Mr.. Lawler not voting.
Mr. Fisher-'I move we adjourn"
Mr.. Graham opposed immediate adj
journment, and asked Mr.. Lawler if he
could furnish the board with the names
of the witnesses who appeared before the
grand jury.
Mr.. Lawler-"What is your objectg'
Mr.. Graham -"That the charges urged
by the grand jury may be investigated"
Mr.. Lawler-'The grand jury has al
ready investigated them"
Mr.. Llwler then recited the salient
charges made in the report.
Mr.. Graham thought ii was incumbent
upon the board t0act.
MIR. Lawler said that should he do ~
Mr. Graham suggested he would put
himself in bad position as former
member of the grand jury. Personally
he was willing to accede to the request,
but he did not know how the other mem
bers of the jury would view such pro-
cedure. He supposed the board could
summon them as citizens. "But will
you addressing Mr. Graham1 vote to
dismiss certain members of the force
should the charges made by the jury be
substantiated 2"
Mr.. Graham--"Yes."
Mr.. Lawler-"Then let the police
men who testified before the grand Jury
concerning the present condition of the
force be summoned before the board.
Witnesses told ofpolicy-playing, drunken
policemen, &c. Get the jurymen and
the policemen who testified together. II
Mr.. Graham is eager for action arrange
ments for the same can be made now"
Mr.. Graham said he was anxious for
an investigation Of the charges.
Mr.. Lawler still claimed that an ex-
animation Of specific charges by the
board was unnecessary. The grand jury
had made sufficient examination and
the report and recommendation were
all that are necessary if the board really
desired 10 act.
Mayor Paff--'In what way ?"
Mr.. Lawler-"Dismiss the entire force
and reorgauize the same" The speaker
saw ~ trouble ahead should this be done,
although he was not anxious for such n
movement. There were some good and
worthy men on the force; others were
neither. They could be singled out.
As to litigation he believed no such
thing would follow, as il was apparent
that the court would sustain the action
of the board.
Mr.. Graham believed in bringing the
matter to focus by continuing the
meeting and summoniDg the foreman of
the grand jury. If reorganization was
needed it should be done at once, and
unworthy men as well as those guilty of
any charges removed from the police
force
Mr.. Lawler said Mayor Paf was be-
fore the grand jury, and he could, il he
thought proper, divulge to the board
what he heard in the jury room. Ger
tain questions had been propounded to
his honor and he had made statements
TO the jury concerning the condition Of
the police force.
The Mayor acknowledged that he had
told the jury of variances and chickering's.
He, however, had in the main told of
things he had heard, and he could not
base the charges.
Mr.. Hill observed that should present
lactional troubles be laid low others
would follow in the near future.
After some further discussion IN which
nothing new developed, on motion OF
Mr.. Graham the board adjourned until
next Monday night at which time the
brennan of the grand jury win he prosen,
md an investigation of the structures
against members of the force Instituted.
Governor Folk ofMissour has ordered