Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-21
Turn on the Light:

r HE TIMES-DISPATCH is as little inclined
l to start OF join in hue and cry, with
members of the Police Board as the objects
Of the chase, as 1t was when the role Of quarry
taken by those miserable and unhappy
creatures who felt the first blow of the Vice
Commissions lash. That blow, however, had
to fall. and SO must this other blow that now
impends. The situation is serious--even
critical-in the light of .Richmonds honor,
security and happiness If it should dis
courage hysteria, as, Of course it must, it
ought TO be equally inhospitable to- fabby
sentimentaity.
From the time the initial report of the
Vice Commission was filed with the Mayor we
have insisted that investigation of the
Poiice Department was imperative The
charges directly made the clear Implication
that members of the Police Board were re-
sponsible for the failure to confine CONNER
cialized vice within the segregated district
the assertion. scarcely yelled, that board
members, had prevented policemen from
doing their duty, combined to demand in
vestigaton
There were those at that time who dis
sented from view OF the Vice Commits
sions report and insisted, with a show Of
sincerity, IL not of intelligence that the re-
port meant something other or less than its
reading revealed. Now even these reluctant
ones take another stand.
With everybody agreeing that the investi-
CATION should take place, and with both
branches Of the City Council committed to
that course and divided only on minor ques-
lions, there remains for serious consideration
the matter Of procedure merely
AS TO that, excellent start was made i'm
the incorporation in the investigation resolu-
ton Of clause directing the attendance and
assistance OF City Attorney Pollard. Rich
mond will gain comfort from this assignment
TO duty OF a man in whom it has high and
just confidence. When. three weeks ago, we
hrst urged this assignment, it was because
we regarded IL as an excellent guarantee
against both whitewash and mud.
The further necessity is that the investiga-
tion shall be public. Respectable newspapers
may be relied on 10 protect their readers
against the Shiny details OF the expected evil
dence and Il newspaper Of the other type
would not be deferred. by any attempt at
secrecy, from furnishing its constituents with
the sort OF stuff 1t assumes they like TO read
IL would be absurd to conduct an inyesti-
CATION behind closed doors and expect it to
receive the community's sanction Star
chamber proceedings Of this description lost
their popularity and good repute and went
ont or fashion many years ago. Frankness
and publicity are the modern insurance OF
good faith. The Council committee will owe
IL 10 itself and to those accused 10 the Police
Department and. more than ALL to Richmond
TO throw aside the veil and hold it's hearings
| in the open.
ii Richmond is to get anywhere with it's
rev program for dealing with commercial lied
vice. the city must have Police Department
in which 1t can repose confidence. No Po-
lice Department, nor any other department
can merit such confidence and at the same
time fear candid inspection
Turn on the light!