The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-11

dorsed the course OF the Police De-
/ partment in attempting TO regulate
them by the plan of segregation.
In consequence Of all these sym
I psrtuent---so FAR as have konwn It.
! remsined unchanged throughout the
| administrations of the Honorable Carl
ton Mccarthy and the Honorable u. .
| richardson. both of whom had album
dant authority. under the charter OF
the city b which the Police Depart
ment is constituted. to order the In
slant closing of the segregated dis
/ trfct nj any moment without taking
! inc the slightest consideration the
Board of Police Commissioners. its
opinions. desires. orders or resolutions.
And therefore, for the establishment
of the segregated district and it's con-
tinuanee as a matter Of public policy
have no apologies to make.
Your Honor. too. has had the same
authority. OF course, during your ad-
rninistration. Your Honor however, de-
cided 10 appoint Vice Commission for
the purpose of investigating the whole
situation. OF reporting thereupon, and
OF making suggestions and reccmmen-
dations looking TO the betternent of
social conditions And the report OF
your Eoror's commission as to the
actual as opposed TO the theoretical
situation establishes in itself the neces-
ssty that existed for an investiga-
tiou.
Horns of the Dilemma.
This report recently filed and pub
iished shows that there are many
houses OF ill-repute outside OF the seq
rcgated district---a situation in direct
conflict with the expressed policy Of
ihe roiice Department and of those
who assisted the department in form
ing that policy, And this report. of
necessity and by implication from
"a hich differences have inevitably been
drawn. charges that either the Board
If Police Commissioners or certain
members thereof have been guilty ot
infinitely more deoased
than mere neglect Of duty. The
charge. as construed by pra ctically
the whole public Of the city, is that
the Board If Police Commissioners
or certain members thereof, have actu-
ally connived In brininE about this
condition, or In permitting II 60 ex-
ist. by "ha mpering" the efforts of the
& hief Of Police and the police force 10
4 bate il
Since the Vice Comm ission has seen
At TO bring this charge III its present
vague ard indefinite shape. it's implied
allegations affect every member of the
y u
am unwilling to bear any such stigma,
however indefinitely applied.
Denies Implied Charge.
Therefore. SO far az the Board Of
Police Corn missioners~-at any of its
that ! have attended--is con-
ccrned. I fatty deny the implied
charge. and 80 far as 7. my vote, my
influence. my associations. my sugges-
fions. or my conductor any or all Of
them--n may he concerned, categoric-
ally and indignantly deny the implied
charge. and I seek vindication.
]. therefore. respectfully request
and urge your honor to take such
steps as may be necessary 10 insure Il
prompt and full investigation into my
career and conduct as 81 Foifce Com
missioner of the city of Richmond,
submitting myself In adva nee to the
Judgment Of any tribunal, judicial or
commissioned, that you honor may
designate
And, knowing the limitations -
your honor's authority in the premises,
venture TO suggest that your honor
lay the whole matter before the Vice
Commission itself. which with all tho
information and evidence that II has
secured during it's months of investiga =
ton, and with the fullest and freest
submission TO its further investiea
tiou. which ! hereby yield to it. If ii
deems further investigation necessary
is doubtless better qualified to pas.
! Judgment than any other body that
might he formed
| Very respectfully submitted
W, DOUGLAS GORDON.
| OF the Boatd of Police Commits
sioners of the City OF Rich
mond, Virginia.