Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-22
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.


Messrs. Hill, LawIer and Graham were
present.
After the reading of the minutes refer
ence was made to the recent suspension
for five days Of Officer John Henderson
tor dlsordery conduct, during which it
was stated that The chief had failed to
notify the bosrl, according to custom
The chief was called into the room, when
he stated that be had overlooked the
matter, after which the Mayors action
was affirmed.
Mr.. Lawler, the clerk of the board,
subsequently, read the report of the grand
jury Of the Corporation Court concerning
the present status of the police force.
This was published in the Gazette last
week. Among other observations, it will
be remembered, the report suggested that
there were chickering's among the mem
bers of the force, together with other
things, which rendered them inefficient,
and that in consequence of insubordna-
ton and the chaotic conditions existing,
a complete reorganization was necessary.
Mr.. Graham said he had been away
for a week, and all this was news to
him.
Mr.. Hill asked Mr.. Lawler, who was
a member of the grand jury, to give the
board the nature Of the evidence which
had been given before that tribunal.
Mr. Lawler was 10th to do this, as evil
dence before this tribunal is not usually
given out. He said, however, that
about IS witnesses had been examined.
Mr. Hill thought The board should
know the purport of ne evidence.
Mr.. Lawler observed that the report
Of the grand jury was of suficien: signif-
canoe.
Mr. Graham saw no reason why MIR.
Lawler could not accede to Mr.. Hills
request. He merely desired to know
what had been said concerning the pO-
| lice.
Mr.. Lawler said he had had nothing
to do with formulating the report from
the fact that he WAS a Police Commits
siOner
Messrs. Hill and Graham suggested
that Mr.. Lawler necessarily heard all the
evidence before the grand jury. Mr..
Graham said that heretofore excavations
concerning the police force had been
hearsay and that there had been nothing
tangible upon which to act. He wanted
something positive upon which to base
action.
Mr.. Lawler again said that the report
of the grand jury furnished enough upon
viii IN to base a movement.
The Mayor agreed with Messrs. Hill
and Graham that Mr. Lawler could give
the board q summary of the evidence be-
fore the grand jury-that is the portion
relating to the police force.
Mr.. Lawler said the board could sum-
mon the members of the force and ques-
ton them. He had the record and was
in position to interrogate them. He
referred to the fact that the police had
furnished no information to the grand
jury upon which indictments could be
made. They professed to know nothing
of speakeasies and policy joints, and,
strange to say, the men, too, who were
doing duty in beats where such things
had been thriving. Lieutenant Smith
and Officer Knight had testified that
they knew nothing OF such places, and
the Mayor was compelled to detail officers
in citizens clothing in order to obtain in
formation. Mr.. Lawler referred to the
exceptions taken by Lieutenant Smith at
the Mayors action is not acquainting
him with what he was doing. The lieu
tenant had wanted to know why the ex-
ecutve had acted in this way toward him
and the Mayor had failed to make any
explanation to him.
The Mayor replied by saying that he
claimed the right to use the police to
suit himself, and it was not obligatory
upon him to appraise any one of his
movements. He claimed the right to
send officers in any beat when he felt dis
posed to do so without consulting the lieu
tenant or chief.
Mr.. Lawler-"You told the chief what
you intended to do"
The Mayor then wentintO details con-
corning his action, and said if the men
performing duty in beats where laws
were being violated could not ferret out
offenders, why should he rely on them
Mr. Lswler said he was not question
ing the Mayors prerogative to do as he
did, but his honor had as ed for infor-
nation upon which the grand jury's re-
port had been framed; now it was up to |
the Mayor to state why he had not told !
Lieutenant Smith what he purposed |
to do.
The Mayor informed the board that he
had been making inquiries in other cities
concerning the workings OF police forces,
and that he had found that those having
the same in charge were not accustomed to
impart information to subordinate Off
GERS. His honor in the course of his re-
marks spoke of the part the police
played in the initiatiyein the recent case
against Richard Burnett. They had
searched his premises, taken an inyen-
tory of his stock and furnished the
nucleus 20 the proceedings against him.
They had also taken the initiative in the
case of McLearen, who had been charged
with conducting policy.
Mr.. Lawler observed that indictments
against both men had been framed upon
he testimony of witnesses who had not
been produced by members of the police
orce.
The discussion was Continued with no
likelihood OF result, when the Mayor
aid there had been much talk and moth