The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-08
POLICE MAY HAVE
new HEADQUARTERS
Committee Named by Commits
sioncrs to Secure Ado
quate Housing.
DEPARTMENT. is INSPECTED
Fine Showing Made Plcascs Po-
lice Officials-Detcctives'
Election Deferred.
DEPARTMENT. is INSPECTED

! The first step in the direction of pro-
curing adequate police headquarters
was taken yesterday afternoon at a
meeting OF the Board of Police Com
missioners. when COMMITTEES. was
named to look into the matter and re-
port at the earliest possible time where
temporary central office may be To-
Gated. For several years the present
Offices of the Chief of Police chief OF
detectives and quarters for detectives
and sclerks. located In the southeast
corner of the first floor of the City Hall,
have been cramped. Files containing
records of criminals. the work OF the
department., Bertillon measurements
and the rogues gallery have become
taxed TO their utmost, and there is now
in the present quarters no space to
install additional equipment. Desk
space has also become limited. and gem
eral conditions so congested that il is
almost matter OF impossibility to
carry on work with any privacy.
Committee In Named.
The committee named to seek tenn
porary headquarters consists of Mayor
Ainslie and Commissioners Boykin and
Thomas. 1t Is expected that these off,
Gals will take UP the matter with the
Administrative Board. While no off,
cial announcement was made, il Is be-
lieved that efforts will be made to es-
tablish temporary headquarters in the
old High School, in Marshall Street be-
tween Eighth and Ninth Streets. 1T is
believed that quarters can he secured
here and used by the Police Department
without iii any way interfering with
the work of the School Board. which
at the present time has its Offices there.
1t has also been suggested that the
police be given space I'm the Blues Ar
mory, in Sixth Street. While numerous
places have been suggested as suitable
IN fpfr l., Il
mittee named for the purpose will make
a careful search for quarters and leave
tho question for the Police Board to
settle
Needs Proclaimed.
For some time 1t has been the gen
eral belief that the projected plan OF
the city and State to jointly erect a
building on the site of old Ford's Hotel
opposite the City Hall on Eleventh
Street which property is owned by the
city, VIII be the means of providing an
up-to date police headquarters for
Richmond Commenting upon this last
night, police Official said III the city
and State put up a building on the site
of Ford's Hotel and give us quarters
In il, it will be at least three years be-
fore 1t Will be finished and ready for
occupancy. 1t is simply impossible
for police headquarters to remain where
it Is on account of the lack of space.
and we must move to more commodious
quarters in short while. All of the
files III our headquarters now are filled
to overlooking, and records are slowed
away in such fashion that the place re
sembles junk shop more than the
Office OF the Chief OF Police"
The Police Headquarters here is
disgrace to tho city" said one OF tho
commissioners at the conclusion of~the
meeting. 1T is inadequate in every
way. and we must simply find room
elsewhere. We cannot get it in the
City Hall"
Department Inspected.
The meeting of the board followed
the spring inspection Of all members
of the department The commands.
station and equipment of the First Dis
trct were inspected by Commanders
Mccarthy, Goode and Parker: those Of
the Second District by Commissioners
| Thomas. Boykin, Gordon and We'll, and
the Third District by Commissioner
Bradley.
| The result OF the inspection was not
only gratifying 10 the commissioners,
but especially pleasing to Chief of Po-
| lice Werner. In their new blue-scrSe
uniforms. which will be worn through
out the summer, the officers made
| splendid showing, and each OF the dis
| trict captains was congratulated upon
the appearance OF his command. All
OF the stations were found 10 be In
| BOOd COnulton. ~ ttt rlTsl repairs
are being made, and when finished, 1t
will be one of the best police stations
| in the South.
| Although the commissioners were in
session for more than two hours, they
| did not go into the matter of the
lection Of two men 10 fill two vacan
| cies as ve-sergcants at head
quarters. 1t was laid upon the table,
and will be acted upon at a special
meeting TO be held May %.
Will Be Ordained Here