Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1911-02-25
READY FOR THE
POLICE PROBE
Committee Of Seven Assem-
bIymen Named viii Begin
Inquiry Next Week
AFFIBAVITS MAY BE
OFFERED IN EVIDENCE

Much interest has been aroused
over the adoption o. a resolution Of
fered i'm the House Of Representatives
at Dover yesterday providing for an
investigation of the Police Depart
ment of Wilmington. The resolution
called for the appointment Of a com
mittee of seven members OF the
House to be appointed by Speaker
Campbell to conduct such investga-
ton and to report back to the pres
ent House as soon as possible.
Representative Whites motion to
adopt the resolution was seconded by
Representative Pool OF St GEORGES
hundred. and without any discussion
of any objection the resoluuJ- was
adopted. II had been talked over pri-
vately by some Of the Republican and
Democratic members before it was
offered, and the way was paved for
#.
Representative T. o. Cooper and
some other members were out of the
Hause at the time of its adoption at
tending committee and other meetings
Speaker Campbell appointed the
following investigating committee :
Representative Henry Clayton White,
of Christiana hundred, John NJ. VIII
son, Of New Castle: Granville p
Alexander of Wilmington and Alfred
b Moore. of Wilmington, all Repub-
licans; and Representatives 7. o
Cooper and Thomas f. Gormley of
Wilmington. and Edward Hart of APP
poquiniminl, hundred. Democrats.
Representative White. by reason of
being the first named, will be chair
man of the committee. When the pro-
bcrs will meet for organization or TO
begin their investigation is not known.
The Wilmington members Of the COM
mittee spoken TO TO-DAY said they did
not know when the committee would
be called together or how it would
proceed. Tho committee is empower
cd by the House resolution to sum
mon witnesses and TO administer
Oaths TO them.
Some question was raised today as
TO the authority OF a committee APP
pointed by one branch of the Legis-
lature TO investigate the Police De-
partmont or any other department OF
corporation acting under a charter
It was contended by some that con.
current action by both branches oi
the Legislature would be necessary
TO conduct such an Investigation.
AfiIdavits Prepared.
Il is known that some persons who
have been looking forward to such an
investigation have been preparing for
IL for many weeks. They have OBJ
tanned affidavits to be presented to the
investigating committee. These ac-
tiOns reflect on the police department
and it is said they raise a question
as 10 improper official conduct on the
part of some member or members OF
the department.
Some of these affidavits are under
stood to be either In the possession
Of Representative Harry I. Gillis, for
mer State detective, or where he can
produce them any time he desires
Some of the afidavits are under
stood to have been made by persons
connected with houses Of questionable
repute. and they deal with the alleg-
cd payment of money.
II is understood that Il Is the in
tontion TO have these affldavits sub
mitted i'm evidence when the investi-
eating committee gets down 10 work
One report going the rounds today
was that the subject may be reopened
in the House of Representatives on
Monday. when a question may bt
raised as to the authority of the
House alone to cause such an investi-
CATION to be made, without any con-
currence on the part Of the Senate.
Commissioners Are in the Dark.
President James B. Clarkson. of the
Police Commission said today he had
nothing to say in the matter. He had
received no officisl notice of any kind
and knew absolutely nothing about
what was being done at Dover on tine
subject.
Another member of the Police Com
mission upon being asked whether the
board would challenge the authority OF
one branch Of the Legislature 10 make
proposed investigation replied that sc
far as he was concerned he would
welcome the investigation and get II
over with. He said he was sure
there was nothing in the matter and
as for affidavits he said he was at see
as to their nature and until he had
heard something about them he could
not make a statement.
TO Meet Next Week.
Representative White. chairman oi
the investigating committee, at noon
said the committee would probably or.
ganize some day next week In Dover
Mr.. White said the first session for
an investigation probably will be held
on Saturday next in Wilmington. Mr.
White said tho committee will deter
mine whether 10 have public or pri-
vate sittings. A public investigation ia