The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-03
DEMANDS APOLOGY
FROM NAVAL MAN

fKUNl WAVAL TWAIN
Continued From First Page)
for his conduct. and I will be obliged
If you will lay this correspondence be-
fore the Secretary of the Navy for his
information and action. Persons in au-
thority and with knowledge of condi-
tons here unanimously believe that the
Richmond Police Department is entire
ly free even from n just suspicion OF
graft, and we resent such language as
that used by Lieutenant Bradley.
Our department has always co-ope-
rated promptly, faithfully and intelli-
gently with the Navy Department. and
] assume that the continuation of this
cooperation is desired.
Very respectfully yours.
(Signed) GEORGE AINSLIE.
Mayor"
This letter was written by Mayor
Ainslie following a conference yester-
day morning with Chief of Police Wer-
ner and clearly indicates his resent
ment against the unwarrantcd attack
OF Lieutenant Bradley
Scherer Scores Bradley.
In letter to Lieutenant Bradley.
Mr.. Schcrer also took exception to the
officers communication to Mayor Aims
lie. and brought to light the fact that
the arrest of the sailors in question
was made on warrants sworn out by
Henrico County policemen. Mr.. Scherer
wrote that the record In the case con-
tradicts practically every statement
made by Bradley.
MIR. Scherer's Letter.
The letter follows:
Lieutenant w. W. Bradley, Jr U. s.
n. Commander, Annapolis Md:
Dear Sir.-Your letter of blank date
to Mayor Ainslie, in regard to the ar
rest OF Adams and Sockwell. has been
published here. with copy OF Mayor
Ainslie's reply, and. since my name
has been mentioned In the case. and
Mayor Aipslie has suggested that YOU
write me, and general publicity has
been given this case, l think 1t my duty
to advise you as to the true facts In
connection with the arrest of the two
men in question.
Juno IL the two men referred TO
were arrested for trcspassing on the
trains and property OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company. and war
rants wero swor. out the same day bv
Jacob Caul special police officer To-:
tie County OF Henrico The warrants
were issued by II. S. Sunday. justice Of
tho peace for Henrico County The
names given by the two men at the
time of their arrest were Ernest Lam
bert and Ben French. The man giving
the name OF Lambert would not give
any information whatever as TO where
he was from or anything else. The
man giving the name OF Ben French
stated that he was from Tennessee. was
n baker by trade, and was on his way
home.
Gave Assumed Names.
LAS the men gave no information
bout themselves, and believing that
they were giving assumed names. and
the fact that robberies had been com
mitted in the locality where these men
Were arrested. and on the trains on
I
ing into Richmond on n freight on the
morning OF the 18th. arriving at about
6 o'clock-further investigation was
deemed necessary.
The morning OF the 18th. the case
was called. and the men brought before
Magistrate II. S. Sunday. The case
was continued for nine days to get
| further Information. The case was
| called for trial on the 2lst; evidence
heard: accused found guilty. and fined
| $3.50 and costs. also being required
TO give security in the sum OF $50 for
sixty days.
when the prisoners were convicted
and returned to their cells, they. in
| discussing their case with another
| prisoner who was confined in the Hen
rico County Jail, told the prisoner con-
fined with them that they were de-
| scrters and gave him their right names
This prisoner, as soon as he had the
! opportunity, gave to Deputy Sheriff
| r. C. Garnett. jailer OF Henrico County
the Information that he had gotten
from this prisoner. This was the first
time that the officers connected with
the case knew the names OF these men
or that they were deserters from the
navy
"Sockwcll and Adams. when arrest
ed, had on citizens clothes. and, when
asked the question whether they were
deserters, they stated they were not.
Quotes the Record.
1.-THE records of the trial contradict
practically every statement that they
have made to you. Your letter states
they were arrested June 10. The fac
is they were arrested June H. Your
letter also states that they claim they
were never brought to trial or giver
a hearing for the offense for which
they were arrested. The facts are tina
their case was called on the 18th. eigh
teen hours after they were arrested
the case being continued for nine day
and tried on tho 21st The latter com
plant and statement to the effect tina
they while confined in jail, were no
allowed to communicate with thei
commanding officer is also untrue.
If Sockwell and Adams when ar
rested had given their right names. TIL
department would have been immedi
ately notified, and the men would hav
been returned to the boat or the prope
official notified: and any Request tina
they would have made az to obtain
ing any information regarding ther
would certainly have been carried on
: Yours very truly.