The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-03
If AN INVESTIGATION.


fatton Of the Board o. Police Commissioners
or its individual members 10 the existence OF
ccmmercfalized vice in Richmond has been
made much clearer since the second report OF
me Vice Commission has been cent to the
Mayer IN the Arrt report o. the commission.
no reference whatever was made TO the Board
OF Police Commissioners The suggestion of
3hxt report tina; tie Chiet OF Police should be
freed al restraint and given full power and
responsibility IN dealing with the vice CUES
ton was construed an indirect reflection on
tho Board OF Police Commissioners and led to
. demand FOR an investigation by members OF
mat body and their friends The second
ucrt refers in direct terms to the Police Com
xr1ssioners and indicates that In the opinion
ar the Vice Commission ali Ia not as II should
have been with the administration Of the po-
lice Department In the report just submit
ted to the Mayor the commission respectfully
informs him that
sTt recognizes the duty ard obligation OF fur
nishing to any properly constituted committee
or investigating body all evidence In its pos
session tending 10 show official wrongdoing on
the part OF members Of the Board Of Police
Commissioners. and upon the demand of such
place such evidence in It's hands"
Further, the commission is careful to explain
to the Mayor that it refrains from transmitting
specific evidence TO him because 1t has been
advised he cannot conduct an investigation and
rot because of any desire to withhold informa-
ton 1t also states that the evidence 1t holds
does not deal with financial mismanagement.
The Virgfnian has opposed any steps looking
to investigation until this second report
should have been submitted. This report opens
the way for investigation II the Mayor or
the Council, or both, shall deem such q course
wise or necessary. The Vice Commission states
plainly that it has been advised that the Mayor
has not the power to conduct an investigation
affecting the Police Board. On this point NC
presume the Mayor will consult the City At
torney. his legal adviser but it is manifest
that the Mayor IS not the proper person IL
conduct such investigation as has been sug
gssted. An investigation OF this nature might
be. In measure, an investigation OF himself
inagnruch as he. as chief executive OF the city
IL ex-ofHeio chairman or the Board of Police
Commissioners and should be I'm actual and
thorough touch and we'll informed as 10 the
work of the Police Department Of the city and
acquainted with the efficiency with which that
department has suppressed. the neffciency
on account Of which 1t has failed to suppress
Immoral practices in defiance Of the law OF
the State
The fact that neither the Mayor nor the
Board Of Police Commissioners took any steps
for go long time 10 break up commerciallzed
rice would, IT seems to us, suggest to any one
the Appropriateness of the Mayors undertake
ing such an investigation even II advised by
the CITY Attorney that he has the power to
d do 30
Perhaps natural course would be for the
City Council 10 appoint committee TO con
Auct investigation. There have been re
peafed suggestions that such an inquiry might
be conducted by the Vice Commission The In
vestigation would he a thankless and disagree
4bls taxE Neither the Vice Commission nor
any comm'tree OF the Council wound -eeIr 70
unpleasant an assignment We are satisfied
however. that should It be found lawful and
the Mayor and the Council unite in requesting
1 the v.ee Commission 10 do so. that body which
has rendered such signal service to the city
already In making such investigation pos
sfhle. the task would be undertaken
Much Of the work that any other body would
have yer 10 DO has already been gone over
by the Vice Commission The members Of that
body have secured sufficient Information 10 in
L dictate pretty clearly what the attitude Of indi
4 sIdual members Of the Board OF Police Com
paissioners towards the vice situation In Rich
\ khond has been. This commission would 90 te
& TIE very root OF the matter and complete such
y ~ investigation while committee OF Council
M y getting organized and laying the foundations
IN Its work, The Vice Commission could easily
81 AAse developed other clues and lines which
n NOuld throw additional light on the subject or
M AhIeh they have already gotten great deal OF
M valuable information This commission. vol.
nniarlly selected by Mayor. AinsIie is eauapased
~ ~ high and true men and women as there
W II Richmond They are men and women
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