Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-27
Police Commissioners.

MT. worm fiulisn before the Bodtu
Refused To Give Evidence of Wit
nesses Before Grand Jury, But FIX.
coriates Board aud Tolicemen-Star
Chamber Meetings in the Future
Newspaper Men to be Excluded.
The session of the Police Board last
night was brief, although decidedly
spirited. But little actual business was
transacted, most of the time of the meet
ing having been consumed in listening
to an arraignment of the police force as
well as the commissioners by Mr.. Worth
Hulfsh, foreman of the last grand jury.
This gentleman had been summoned for
the purpose of aiding the commissioner
in examining into certain charges that
had been made in a report submitted to
the Corporation Court by the grand jury,
but the object was a decided miscarriage,
as Mr.. Hulish refused to impart the
testimony Of witnesses examined by the
grand jury, and instead delivered a
lecture to the board, interpreted with
suggestions as to how the force should
be recognized and conducted, charged
the Police Board with whitewashing
certain offenders, manifesting no dlspo-
si;ion to act and that they should make
room for this Successors, if the lethargy
were to be continued. The members of
the board endured it all patiently until
Mr.. Lawler grew FESTIVE and finally let
Mr.. Hulfsh know that the board had
obtained about all it was likely to get
from him, and intimaied that the mem
bers had heard enough. Mr.. Hulfsh
received the thanks of the Mayor for
obeying the summons and appearing be-
fore the board and he started to leave,
tut returned and reopened his battery of
suggestions and plans until MIR. Lawler,
not mincing words, took exceptions to
any further reflection upon the board.
Mayor Paf presided, and all the com
missioners were present. The Mayor
stated the object of the meeting and Mr..
Huish was asked to advance and be
sworn. The latter saw no need of this
procedure, but Obeyed the request.
The Mayor in addressing him said he
voiced the sentiments of the commission
ers when he informed him that he would
not be expected to give the evidence OF
any witnesses who had appeared before
the grand jury, nor to reply to any i'm
proper queries that might be propounded
him. As a good citizen, however, he
could throw some light on the subject
the commissioners were considering. In
your opinion" the Mayor said, 'was the
testimony of witnesses before the grand
jury of nature to warrant the dismissal
of any member of the police fOrce?"
Mr.. Hulfsh replied by saying that he
did not recognize the right OF the board
to interrogate him concerning what wit.
nesses had stated before the grand jury,
but he was Notwithstanding ready to aid
the board in the work in which it was
engaged. He referred to the present
ment made by the grand jury. The Judge
Of the court had instructed them to ascer-
tain facts concerning the reported exis-
teuce Of speakeasies and policy joints F;
also existing police conditions aud why
.eriMu thingse lion the force The
grand jury was truly grand jury apart
from himself composed of ten determin-
ed men who took off their coats and col
lars and wen to n.ra. The witnesses
examined by the jury could be summon
ed before the board" He defended the
report made to the court and said the
presentmeEt had beep made upln evi-
dence before hejury. Il bad been shown
that policemen entered saloons and some
slept while on duty. H. did not know
which officers were gui'ty of'hose charges
nor had he anything personal against any
member Of the force. No man, however
should be on the force who used intoxi-
cauts, and the speaker gave at length his
reasons for his convictions.
Among other things Mr.. Hulfsh said
he had the honor to be director in the
Citizens National Bank and the Alex
ardria Water Company. Were any of
the employees Of these corporations
drinking men he would take measures
against them Immediately.
Mayor Paif repeated his query: ave
accept what you say in this matter, but
DO you object to thisquestion Was there
evidence before the jury sufficient to
warrant action against any member of
the force by the Police BOard?"
Mr.. Hulfsh did not made a direct
answer. but told the Mayor he could OBJ
tain evidence as the jury procured it.
''You were in the jury room, and if the
Police Commissioners were as deter
mined as were as the jury they could as
certain as many facts as they did ''Be
a policeman yourself some night" Mr..
Hutish charged the board with allowing
certain things to go on until the court
had TO take hold OF the matter. He
further said the Police Board was lack
ing in harmony and ability to handle
the situation entrusted to them The
grand jury's arraignment, he said, was
not only reflection upon the police
force, but upon the commissioners also.
The Mayor-"You say, then, that
the commissioners are not doing their
duty
Mr.. Hulfish-"There is an evident
disposition on the part of the board not
10 act. Why not summon witnesses as !
he grand jury did? You can utilize
he services OF the Commonwealth At
orney, who is an able and willing Of !
icer." Mr.. Hulfsh then referred to
he fact that Richard Burnett and Chas.
Tyler had been indicted for keeping
peakeasies and Harry McLearen for