Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-08-19
OFFICERS QUESTIONED
Board of Police Commissioners Place
Six Upon Stand Last
Night

The proceedings VI VIC oo"io W
Police Commissioners at their month
ly meeting last night were of a moro
interesting nature than ordinarily.
Generally the report Of Chic
Goods of the monthly happenings /;
the feature. This was minor matter
however, last night, and the question
ing of officers of the force concerning
their action during the severe north
east wind and rain storm the earl!
part of this month was prominent
feature. On that occasion the tide III
the river reached an abnormal state
during the night and some damage
resulted in stores on the Strand. II
was suggested that the officers Oh
duty in that section Of the city haG
not shown themselves to be on the
alert and had not notified merchants
of the danger to their houses Oh
goods.
Another interesting minute Of the
proceedings was the queries put tt
officers concerning the catapulting OF
young man from an upper window
OF an alleged gambling house on Duke
street, near Henry.
Six members of the department
were put on the stand to answer
questions concerning the flooding OF
the Strand. When asked by Commits
sioner Schwarzmann, who presided
in the absence of Mayor Fisher, why
they failed to give warning some
were unaware that it was their duty
and others declared they had never
had a book of rules, as the supply
long ago became exhausted.
The board went into executive ses~
sion, and finally, upon motion OF Com
missioner knight, the members were
reprimanded. They were told by
Commissioner Schwarzmann that
should they be brought up again on
a similar charge it would meant dis
missal from the force.
The men were told that their duties
we're not confined to the arrest Of
"drunks1.
Commissioner Knight asked CHIEF
Goods if he had heard the report that
young man had attempted suicide
by jumping from a window after
losing his money at an alleged poker
Joint on Duke street, near Henry
street. He told the board he had been
informed that but for grape arbor
beneath the window the young man
probably would have been killed.
Chief Goods replied in the affirma-
tive adding that he had obtained
written statement from the young
man, who, he said, had gone to New
York, to the effect that he lost S14 at
the establishment while playing with
two men. The chief said he had OBJ
tanned a warrant for the two mal.
He was unable to verify the state
ment that the nan attempted to end
his life. Mr.. knight said ne also
heard the man was threatenel with
being thrown out of the window when
he wanted back the money he lost.
Commissioner Knight told the
court this place had been ordered
closed only short time ago by JUS
tice Cation. but that it was apparent
ly still open. Mr. knight called. at
tention to several unsolved murder
mysteries in this city in recent years
and served notice that he would in
sist upon the police frequently raid
ing places where suspected poker is
being played until such places are
put out Of business.
The case referred to was called in
the Police Court Tuesday morning,
but on account fof the absente of
Charles Valentine a material witness, {.
who, it was said. was thrown from q /!
window. it had to be continued. Peter |!
Stahl and Michael Lynch, who had |
been cited to appear and answer the
charge Of gambling, were present.
The warrant was sworn out by Chief !
Goods. Valentine, the chief, says. de- !
MED having jumped from a window (
or being elected from the house. !
The officers in charge of the men
Oh patrol duty at night will hereaf-
Ter be located from midnight until 6 :,
o'clock in the morning and the SER
gent in charge will make a written 4
report Of seeing the men. This action
vas taken by the board on the recon-
nendation OF Commissioner Knight.
Notice was given the policemen
hat they must pay their debts or lose
heir places.
The monthly report of Chief Goods
tated there were 107 prisoners since