The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-06

at the Seventh Street armory. Tues
day night, a police coJ TT prosecution
against at least one private soldier
and possible action by the Mayor are
the results thus far OF the alleged
discharging of firearms by members
of the First Regiment, Virginia Vol
unteers, while returning from the
State Fair Grounds on a Broad street
car Monday evening.
Al was sworn out against
Private Harry Meredith, OF 2905 East
Clay street. by Policeman Thurman
Tuesday morning. Mr.. Meredith is
charged with having discharged nrc-
arms within the corporate limits,
thereby committing "A misdemeanor.
He will be tried Wednesday.
Meanwhile Major l.. T. Price has
announced that he will look into the
matter at the army Tuesday night.
The officers and men will be called
or to testify. Major Price will probe
the charges or Policeman Thurman to
the effect that he was treated with
d~iscourtesy by Captain Stack, of Conn
pany II, and Lieutenant kindervater,
OF Company F. He VIII also attempt
to discover Just how many men Gred
heir rifles. and who those men were.
Those who are guilty may be court
martialed. Certain 1t is that II their
names are made known TO the police
they will be prosecuted before Jus
lice Crutchheid.
Allowed to Have Beer.
In discussing the affair Tuesday
morning Major Price seemed TO incline
to the opinion that drinking might
have been at the bottom Of much Of
the disorder. Following the sham bat
tie, during which the heat vas un-
hearsble, Major Price said he gave the
men permission to drink some coid
beer. such permission is unusual, he
admitted, bat said that in this instance
he did not believe the men would have
time to a more than one or two
glasses. There was a delay, however,
while several of the men who were al
most exhausted by the
were given medical attention. During
this delay, Major Price intimated ii
might have been possible for some Of
the men to have drunk sufficient to
effect them and cause them to become
botsterous later.
Major Price declared that at the CON
ciusion OF the sham battle he had
asked that all blank cartridges that had
not been fired be returned to him.
Mayor Richardson has also an
n his intention Of taking "a
hand in the probe. The mayor has
received "A letter from Chief OF Police
Werner, complaining of the alleged
disorder of the soldiers. and declaring
that the officers of the men hindered
rather than helped the police In re-
storing order and making arrests.
Mayor Richardson may summon
Messrs. Stack and K~indervater to his
office and question them. His sub
seQuent action viii depend on the out
. come of this interview.
Had Authority.
According to Major Werner the
military officers were correct In their
contention that the police were with
out authority to take any of the men
from the ranks and place them under
arrest. Neither did the police have
the right to arrest the men after they
had been dismissed and were on their
way home. A special paragraph In
the Cod states that mo person be-
longing to the military forces shall be
arrested on any process issued by or
in cases of felony or breach of the
peace, while going TO. Remaining AZ
or returning from any place which
he may be REQUIRED 10 attend for msii-
tary duty"
..Tha nhrsse relating IN gazing fror
military d,,fy, would nravsnt r. a.
rest Of any one of The snld,ers u,nsIa
he was on his wav homa sram the
srmorvn said Ma tor yyarnsr a.ar
ha Mas onra raached his hor,a ~,
svsr i, Ia a Sisyeran, na,tar 1.e"n
ns have mower 70 arrast him go
nnar1, otEoar Th.raaan -. ~
1eauenuy olneer thurman mas sworn
uaxn NJ trase y
~ - - vas no' tne
- ~ a : ~ hs Sun
"As a. 1ut Nv was TAG oniy