Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-03-16
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.


The March meeting OF the Board OF
Police Commissioners was held last
night Mayor Paft presided and all the
commissioners were present.
The monthly report OF Chief Goods
WIS submitted. Itset forth that ninety
six prisoners we're arrested last month,
the lowest for many months recently,
| and that there had been one roooery
and that the parties had been arrested
and goods recovered. =,
Commissioners Barrett called the at
tention of the board to complaints re
ceived from people living on Prince
street relative to alleged disorder caused
BIZ roller skating of girls who attend the
public schools. Mr.. Barrett SAID ne
understood policeman had boon desig-
mated for duty at the boys school dur
ing the hour Of convening and dis
missal. The mayor said he could not
take cognizance of such complaints.
Commissioner Oehlert asked if the
board had received report from Coun-
ell on recent recommendations sub
mitted to that body. He was informed
in the negative.
Commissioned Fisher expressed dis
pleasure At not having received an &C
acknowledgement from the City Council
on certain matters submitted to them
and declared he did not propose to be
ligure!lead. Mr.. Fisher also said that
the board could get another secretary
before he would address another official
communication to the City Council on
these matters.
1t vas decided that the police in sub
hitting matters to Council should SUBJ
nit them first to the board before they
are presented to that body.
Most of the Time Of the session was
devoted to the discussion Of the chronic
question rs 10 the power Of the mayor
TO designate member of-the police
force TO act rs lieutenant. Officer Jonh
T. Roberts has, by appointment OF
Mayor Pafi, been acting in this capac-
its for some time. At previous meet.
ings his honors has explained to the
board his action in the matter. He
contends that the CHIEF should have
ample time in which to exercise proper
surveillance of the force, and that the
lieutenant should have man TO re-
lieye him at the end OF his trick. The
lieutenant and acting lieutenant placed
the men upon their beats, later inspect
tue same and alternately have charge
OF the squads,
During the discussion Commissioner
Ohlert said that Policeman Roberts is
acting as lieutenant and he was unable
to see where Mr.. Roberts got his auth
ority to act as lieutenant.
Commissioner Barrett suggested that
Mr. Roberts is without authority.
Mr.. Ohlcrt, however, SAID Mr..
Roberts exercises the same authority
as lieutenant and signs himself acting
lieutenant, and he had been informed
that la wears a badge CT a second lieu
tenaut
Mr.. Barrett said that it was within
the province OF the mayor to designate
any patrolman 10 serve at the station !
house for duty, and that tile mayor
had detailed MIR. Roberts.
Commissioner Fisher said he also
had a say as to who should serve as
lieutenant and he did not want the
mayor to have the privilege Of cxercis-
ing right 10 which he was entitled.
Dung The debate it was stated that
Officer Roberts proclaimed over the
This Is the acting lieuien-
AM, which seemed to be Objectionable
to some OF the commissioner who were
Of the opinion that the man filling that
position ny appointment Of the mayor,
vas merely private and should dress
and conduct himself as one.
An opinion handed down by Judge
Keith on the same subject was referred
to by Mayor Paff. The mayor said
his opinion set forth that the mayor
had right TO surround bimself with
officers whom he wanted. He further
explained that be had named Mr.
Roberts, thinking him fully qualified
He saw no good reason for the removal
OF Mr.. Roberts.
Mr.. Fisher contended that the action
of the mayor in this matter deprived
him and the remaining members OF
the board of their rights in the mat
ter
Commissioner Fisher said he had
been informed that there was dissenslon
in the police force because OF the con-
tention over the appointment.
Mayor Paff said that he did not think
the council was holding up the request
Of the board for an opinion from the
attorney as matter OF
but supply on account OF
the press OF other business.
The board before adjourning decided
10 hold regular inspections OF the police
force Oh the first Mondays in May and
October. and in was intimated that
special inspections might be held IN
the near future on short notice.
THE SHRlNERS.
The Notifies Of Acca Temple OF Rich