Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-20
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.

OO4ukuiOo1ONGR0
The regular monthly meeting OF the
Police Commissioners was held lasl
night in the mayors Office.
Mr. Barrett was called to the chair
when the board met at 1880 O'Clock,
but later Mr.. F. +. Marbury. president
of the Board OF Aldermen, and acting
mayor. entered and assumed the chair
manship.
Chief Goods submitted his report for
the month Of September The chief
alluded to the published report that the
acting mayor and the commissioner
from the Fourth ward had been unable
to locate Officers Roland and Nichol-
sod on the night OF Sunday, October 8,
and that those officers had given an &C
count of their whereabouts in their re-
mort to Lieutenant Belts, which he
submitted.
Mr.. BRYAN called ttsution to the re-
cent aclion OF the City Council in con
tinuing former Chief James F. Webster
ON the pay roll OF the police force, and
thought the board shoald now proceed
10 the election OF another member.
This would in no wise affect the case
OF the former chief. He was glad the
Council had continued his pay and he
believed all the members of the board
were.
Mr.. Marbury expressed himself IN
similar language. and thought the
hoard could elect another member OF
the force.
Some interchange Of opinion as to
the power of the board t. elect another
man followed as council in contlnu-
ing the pay OF the former chief still re-
cognized him as a member, and when
the resolution was introduced it was
stated that no additional Appropriation
would be required.
On motion Of Mr. Barrett the mat or
was referred 10 the Corporation Attor-
ney for his opinion.
Mr.. Marbury, however, was still OF
the opinion that the board had the
power to elect another member OF the
board without procuring an OPINION
from the Corporation Attorney. y
A petition from a number OF mer-
chants and others requesting the board
to appoint Alpheus Robey special
policeman in the place ofWillIam Null
lin. deceased, WIS granted.
Mr.. BRYAN then proceeded to describe
TO the board his experience, together
with that Of the acting mayor, on sun
day night, October 9, and, their failure
70 find Officers Nicholson aud Roland
who were supposed to have been on
duty in the Third ward at that time.
He also told Of finding Officers Rawlett
Wilkinson. Knight and Reed, who had
been assigned to beats in the First and
Fourth wards on that night, in door
way ON the south side of King street
near Washington.
Mr.. Byran outlined the route . taken
bv the acting mayor. himself and
lieutenant Belts, and stated that the
lieutenant had sounded whistles at nine
different intersections without receiving
any answer. He had been told by
Officer Knight that Officers. Nicholson
and Roland had followed him, the act
inc mayor and the lieutenant up st.
Asapb street, about half square be-
hind. Mr.. Byran said he and his
comnanions saw nothing of them, and
bad they been behind they would nave
been out Of their beats at any rate.
Mr.. BRYAN, continuing, said he and
the acting mayor finally got answers to
their whistles from the men IN the
Fourth ward.
Mr. Fisher moved that the board
proceed 10 make arrangements Tor IN
yestigating tile charges made by the
Fourth ward commissioner, and the
men be cited TO appear before the
board for the purpose OF answering the
charges.
Il was decided to investigate the case
next Friday night, the 2lst instant al
1880 O'Clock. -,
Mr.. Barrett regretted the fact that
,he inspection of the beats had been
made public before the matter hao
heen reported to the board and formal
action taken.
Mr. BRYAN said the matter had be-
come public properly from the FAC
that the officers themselves he'd discuss
ed it. -,
Mr.. Barrett reiterated that the re-
suit OF the midnight inspection had De,
come public property before the boarC
had time to act, and this gave the IN
terested officers an opportunity "
frame a defense. -,
Mr.. Barrett read paper in whicn
he made suggestion concerning tn'
greater utilization of the police force
He recommended the installation O
nine call boxes at different points II
the city for the use of the force, anc
the formulating of rule requiring INT
officers to call up" every nall houl
day and night. He said arrangements
could be made with the Capltal Olty
Telephone Company by when sucr
boxes could be installed for SloO' Mr.
Barrett also recommended the purcnast
OF a patrol wagon, and said a mar
could be procured at $40 a montn t'
drive it who could also be sworn In al
a policeman. He could also act as jan
itor at the station house. Mr.. Barrett
said the horse and wagon could be pur
chased for about $500, and the add
tional cost to the city would be $3.50
He also favored pension fund OF $500
In order to meet this additional expen
diture be suggested that the City Coun
oil no rpOupstpd IN mass on osI-.1o,