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


The regular monthly meeting OF TIL
Police Commissioners was held las
night in the mayors Office.
Mr. Barrett was called to the chat
when the board met at 1880 O'Clock
but later Mr. F. F. Marbury. president
OF the Board Of Aldermen. and acting
mayor. entered and assumed the chair
mapship.
Chief Goods submitted his report for
the month of September The chiel
alluded to the published report that the
acting mayor and the commissions
from the Fourth ward bad 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-
port to Lieutenant Belts, which he
submitted.
Mr.. Bryan called attention to the re-
cent ac,ion OF the City Council in con-
tinuing former Chief James F. Webster
on the pay roll OF the police force, and
thought the board should now proceed
to the election OF 9nother 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
we're.
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" cleo! another
man followed as council in continu-
ing the pay of the former chief still re-
cognized him as member, and when
the resolution was introduced it was
stated that no additional appropriation
would be required.
On motion OF Mr. Barrett the mat er
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.
A petition from number OF mer.
chants and others requesting the board
to appoint Alphcus Robcy special
policeman in the place ofWill'am Null
lin, deceased, WAS 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
TO 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
by the acting mayor, himself ana
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
ing mayor and the lieutenant up st.
Asaph street, about half a square be-
hind. Mr.. Byran said he and his
companions saw nothing OF them, anu
had they been behind they would have
been out Of their beats at any rate.
Mr.. Bryan, continuing, said ne and
the acting mayor finally got answers to
their whistles from the men IN the
Fourth ward.
Mr.. Fisher moved that the board
nroceed 10 make arrangements for IN
yestigating the charges made by the
Fourth ward commissioner, and the
men be cited to appear before the
board for the purpose OF answering the
charges. ;,
It was decided to investigate the case
next Friday night, the 2lst instant, at
7:3o O'Clock. :,
Mr.. Barrett regretted the fact that
the inspection of the beats had been
made public before the matter had
been reported to the board and formal
action taken.
Mr.. Bryan said the matter had De,
come public properly from the 1ac'
that the officers themselves hsd discuss
. ed it. -
Mr.. Barrett reiterated that the re-
sult OF the midnight inspection had be,
come public property before the board
had time to act, and this gave the IN
terested officers an opportunity &c
frame a defense. -,
Mr. Barrett read paper in which
he made suggestion concerning the
greater utilization of the police force.
He recommended the installation OF
nine call boxes at different points IN
the city for the use OF the force, ano
the formulating OF rule requiring the
officers to call up" every half hour
day and night. He said arrangements
could be made with the Capital City
Telephone Company by which such
boxes could be Installed for $3.50. MIR.
Barrett also recommended the purchase
OF a patrol wagon. and said man
could be procured at $40 month 10
drive it who could also be sworn IN as
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 addi.
tional cost to the city would be $3.50.
He also favored q pension fund OF $500.
In order to meet this additional expen.
diture be suggested that the City Coun.
Gil be requested to pass an ordinance
empowering the Police Justice TO add
90 per cent. to all fines collected tc