Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-22
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
GRAND JURY,s REPORT BEFORE
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Death Of Colored Man Arouses Suspi-
cion Of Foul Play-General and
Personal Matters.
Special Correspondence Of The star.

ALEXANDRIA. Va, June q, 1908.
After long discussion Of the report of
the grand jury In the corporation court,
recommending the absolute reorganization
of the police department. the board of police
commissioners, in regular monthly session,
adjourned last evening to meet next Friday
night. for the purpose of considering q
general plan outlined by Mayor Paff for
changing the administration Of the police
force and increasing the efficiency of its
service AS explained In brief before the
commissioners, the mayors scheme compre-
hends change In the administering depart
ment Of the force, whereby. instead Of a
captain and a lieutenant Of police there
would be captain and three sergeants of
police.
In simplifying his plan to some extent, the
mayor stated that one of the three sergeants
could go on duty with each detail of men
from the station house. and that each ser
geant could be unrestricted in walking
about through the city in general .supervi-
sion OF the men in the various beats. He
announced his disapproval of the present
constitution of the police force of the city,
saying that he did not see the necessity OF
a captain and a lieutenant in q depart
ment the size Of the one in Alexandria, The
mayor referred to the present captain,
grown old in faithful and honest service to
the city.
He said he thought that Capt. Wabster
was too aged for the position he Is now
occupying, but expressed the conviction
that the city ought to provide some place
Tor him where he would have no onerous
duties. but would yet be able to render
adequate services. The post of day sta
ton keeper, he thought, would be q good
and fitting one for the captain. He made
no personal reference to other members
of the force saying that he was not pre-
pared to make suggestions in any other
case.
Foul Play Suspected.
A jury summoned by Coroner Ashton of
Alexandria county met this morning at
IL 80 o'clock III the undertaking rooms of
B. Wheatley on King street and held an in
quest over the remains of Charles Thorn
ton. colored, whose body was found Mon
day night lying between the tracks of the
Washington Southern railroad near Brick
Haven. Several witnesses were examined,
including Constable John H. Cornell, who
had arrested a colored man named Albert
Eskridge on suspicion of being criminally
connected with the death of Thornton. Esk-
ridge conducted an eating house near the
place where the dead body was found. The
prisoner has been in the county jail since
his arrest.
1t was testified that the condition of the
DOOy OF thornton excited suspicion of foul
play, although 1t was at first thuoght he
had been struck by a train. There was a
bruise on his head. but no bones were
broken. After due investigation the Jury
returned verdict finding that death was
due to natural causes. Albert Eskridge,
colered, held in the case, will be released.
General Matters.
special meeting of the city council was
held last evening for the purpose of con-
sidering ordinances providing for the paw
ing. of Lee street from Prince street to
Duke street and Prince street from Fairfax
street to Lee street with vitrified brick on
six-inch concrete base. Council ad-
Journed without transacting any other
business after reading the ordinances and
referring them to the committee on streets
The police department here has been noti-
fed of a robbery committed Tuesday night
at the general merchandise store of c.
B. Leary at Cherry Hill, Prince William
county. The thieves. who were masked
broke into the store and secured 500
worth of goods.
John Ennis was given a hearing by JUS
tice Cation in the police court this morning
on the charge of breaking and entering the
Alexandria Light Infantry armory with in
tent to steal. The case was referred to the
grand jury.
Miss Daisy Marshall is the guest Of her
sister, Mrs. Cornelius Haggarty, jr., at
MADDEN Hail." Atlantic City. Later she
will visit Miss Haggarty at Ocean City,
N, ],