The Washington herald., 1912-08-22
NEWSOFALEXANDRIA
B. Frank Belts Elected First Ser.
geant of Police-Tie-up on
Other Selections.

Alexandria. Va. Aug. I-B. Frank Bet
tbs. formerly lieutenant Of the police
! force until the recent change in the city
| charter abolished the office. tonight was
elected first sergeant OF police at a meet
ing OF the board of police commission
ers. He was chosen without opposition.
Mr.. Bettis was placed in nomination by
Commissioner Oehlert.
The commissioners. however. hung fire
on electing the second and third SER
geants The tie-up came when It came
TO electing a second sergeant. For this
position Mayor Paff nominated Policeman
John T. Roberts and Commissioner FISH
er nominated Policeman William ]. Will
kerson. The commissioners took seven
ballots resulting in a tie vote OF two
to two. Those voting for Mr. Roberts
were Mayor Paff and Commissioner
Bryan. and those supporting Policeman
Wilkerson were Commissioners Fisher
and Oehlert.
The board a short time afterward was
about to adjourn and then reconsidered
the matter and went into executive ses-
sion. 1t remained in executive session
more than half an hour. after which
it was announced that an adjournment
had been agreed upon until 7:30 o'clock
Saturday night next. at which time ef-
forts again will be made to select a sec
ond and third sergeant.
The list of applicants for the positions
OF sergeants follow: J. Christopher Gill,
William J. Wflkerson, Charles B. Roland,
Wiler A. Scott, Jefferson d. Beach, John
+. Roberts.
The monthly report OF Chief of Police
Goods showed that during that period
lI2 arrests had been made, and from that
time until August q the total number
taken in custody was 20.
The request of James W. Bales to act
as a special officer at his place of busi-
ness at Prince and Royal Streets. was
granted by the board
The State Legislature recently amended
the city charter so as to have the police
force consist of a chief and as many
sergeants as the city may see fit. This
abolished the Office of lieutenant of po-
lice, which has been in existence for
many years. The board of police COM
missioners afterward recommended that
the force be composed of a chief and
three sergeants, to be known as first
second, and third. respectively. Council
passed their recommendation, and the
board tonight finally decided to take up
the question of electing the required
number of sergeants. Each sergeant
will have charge of a squad of six men,
and will also do patrol duty.
George and Mary Brooks. husband and
wife. were charged in the Police Court
this morning with being drunk and dis
orderly. Neither was able TO appear for
trial. and Justice Cation, after court had
adjourned, went down stairs and directed
that the woman be sent to the work.
house for ninety days. Thirty days in
jail was the sentence imposed in the case
of the husband.
George W. Crane, of the Municipal
Court, Aberdeen, S. Oak. has written
a letter to Corporation Attorney s. p
Fisher, asking him for a copy of the
vagrancy laws of this city. The writer
says. among other things, that he re-
Gently noticed a newspaper item from
this city. to the effect that a number of
been Jailed. and that In his
section of the country the subject il q
great problem, especially during harvest
ing time.
Mr.. Fisher responded to the letter, and
gave the desired information.
An unusually large crowd to-day and |
tonight attended the second annual pic |