The Washington times., 1906-05-04
CITIZENS DEMAND
DOORS BE OPENED
StarChamber Police Inquiry
Stirs AIexandrians.
PUBLIc'S RIGHT TO KNOW ALL
Reporters Barred But Facts Of Last
Nights Session Are Made
Known.
WASHISGTON TINES RUREAf-
ALEXANDRIA Va MY

WAsHlNGTON TINES BUREAU
ALEXANDRIA. Va. NAY
Despite the fact that public opinion i
Overwhelmingly IN favor OF the omen
door policy, the board OF police com
missioners' meeting last night was a
star chamber" affair. When seen by a
reporter Of The Times last evening.
Mayor Pan stated that. in the face OF
public opinion. ne was still in favor OF
secret sessions. as was the rest OF the
board OF police Commissioners The re-
porter was Informed by the mayor that
ne was not wanted at the meeting last
night
some citizens. when interviewed bv
The Times, while being IN favor OF the
open doo-, were afraid 10 openly ex-
press their preference on account OF in
. curing the displeasCre OF the honor
able board of police commissioners A
number. however. were not Only willing
but anxious. 20 give their views on the
subject
Hon George J.. Simpson, ex-mayor,
when seen BY the reporter for The
Times. stated that his opinion on the
matter reminded him OF a story. A
minister out West had a choir which
sang very badly. The minisJer. posted
up notices Ike this: Don't snoot at the
choir they are doing the best they
know how"
EX-Police Commissioner F. z. LawIer,
who. when he was a member of the
board. made every effort 10 have the
doors opened 10 the public. and when
the motion was made just before MS
retirement. TO close the doors, told the
commissioners that II they did 50 they
would make themselves the ls57xhiny
stock Of the community. and would
never hear the end OF IT, stated 70 The
Times reporter this morning that If
they are strong men. and not wea klings.
they should not be afraid 10 let the
public know their actions
What the People Are Saying.
Frank Penn said. II think that there
may be times when the board OF police
commissioners should act behind closed
doors, but on an occasion like this. when
the evidence against the policemen Is all
Ia, and the policemen themselves are
being put on the stand IN their own de-
fense. the public should know what de-
tense The men are putting up il is only
just 10 the innocent men that the T,ublic
should know what men are guilty and
who are not The public have a right
10 know what policeman is doing his
duty"
Paul HuIhsh- y certainly think me
police commissioners should open the
doors"
Peter SchoenI. Il am IN favor Of hear
Ing Az that The police commissioners
transact. Let them oUen the doors
2. r. German. ir-- a'Certainlv. they
should have open sessions, By ali
John Lucas: Il am in favor OF having
open sessions Of the board OF police
commissioners Let the public know
what IS going on
TrH.-
should know what the commissioners
are doing do not believe IN any closed
door business
Carroll NNOolf. y am in favor ~ rle
commissioners having open sessions
r. N Petty "Of course the commits
sioners should open the doors 10 the
public
F. T. Quinn. Keep the good work
going Make the commissioners open
the doors.
Last Nights Proceedings.
The board Of police commissioners
met in executive session last night.
Mayor Pan presiding. The first witness
called was Policeman Ferguson Nj.
Ferguson was OF the opinion that he had
done his duty as he should do IL He
had enforced the city ordinances in-re-
lauon 20 the removal Of ashes and the
obstructing of the streets. Questioned
in relation 10 having entered saloons the
policeman acknowledged that he had a.
ready been tried and served a sentence
OF punishment for having entered a
saloon and taken something. once.
j he next witness was Policeman Fred
j. GarVey. Mr.. Ciarvey had always
tried 70 do his duty as a policeman. and
was OF the opinion that all the other
policemen were doing theirs 10 the best
OF their ability He had always en-
forced the law in relation TO the re-
movol OF ashes, etc. He Acknowledged
AaN ing been In Harrington g livery
stable office when on duty al night.
Policeman Arlington was summoned
and closely questioned Arlington was
OF the opinion that he. ike the other
policemen, had done his duty.
Policeman Smith said he had aIways
been an active policeman. making many
arrests and doing his utmost 70 preserve
order anG enforce the city ordinances.
That tie public are anxious TO know
what i going on IN the secret sessions
VS. very evident from the questions
thai were piled 10 The Times reporter
as he made his rounds this morning
such as, What did the commissioners
do last night" Who was examined
last night What statement did tbs
or that officer make2" etc.
DRESSES OF SPIDERS WEB.