Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-10
FOUR INDICTMENTS
IN HOPEWELL PROBE
Continued from First Page)


George County, the State and even the
nation are upon you, and you eN-
pected to do your full duty without
fear or favor. You are here 10 apply
the probe. You are not to make per-
functory examination into conditions
at Hopewell. but arc expected to make
most searching investigation to de-
termine what local officers have been
guilty of violations of the law. as we'll
as those guilty of selling intoxicanta,
operating gambling houses and dis
orderly resorts"
EXPERIENCE WITHOUT
PARALLEL IN STATE
During the last four months, the
Judge said. Prince George has had an
experience that no other county in the
State has had. The population at
Hopewell exceeds that OF the county
before this influx came with the open
ing Of the Du Pont plant. The condi-
tons there are those of n city without
city government, and "it is the duty
OF the county authorities To take
charge" he added.
Particular stress was laid by Judge
West on the reports OF Investigators,
which involved officers of the law He
reviewed his own action in appointing
the police force. which was removed
from office after less than "A months
duty. The men had been named. he
said. on the recommendation of The
Business Mems Association. reprcsen-
tatives OF which had appeared before
him and urged the selection Of the
July term Reflections had been made
"a NJ Of
but he had been constrained 10 take
the Endorsement of COO business men
OF Hopewcll, who signed the petition,
and give them chance to make good
on their promises to keep order rather
than "a slap in the face"
II had been decided, however. by
| himself and the Commonwealths at
torney, he said. during the July term
to have special grand jury investi-
| gate conditions at the powder plant
| city, and 1t was deemed advisable 10
send secret service men to gather evil
! dence. Governor Stuart, who was then
in California, was asked by telegraph
| If the contingent fund of the executive
would be used toward defraynE the
! expenses Of the investigation. The
| Governor promptly replied. agreeing
! with the plan. and two special repre-
| sentatives of the court have been on
the ground for month.
COMMESDS COOPERATION
| GIVEN BY GOVERNOR
| Judge West commended the co-opera
/ ton given by the Governor In aiding
| the investigation by designating At
torney General John Garland Pollard
TO act for him and sending a personal
/ n HnnaIUcll IN Int n
| the situation.
But the obligation rests first on the
people of Prince George County &c
remedy conditions at Hopewell," con.
tinued Judge West.
The court called attention to many
other reports which he had received
among which was that member o!
the former police force had received
hfty barrels OF beer. He emphasized
that II is unlawful to sell intoxicants
OF any kind In Hopewell, and men.
toned the fact that the United States
government has granted 13s license.
10 sell malt liquors in the town. The
possession of the Federal permits Is
prima facie evidence Of violations OF
the Byrd liquor laws. he added, and the
burden is on the defendant 10 prove
otherwise. II was also mentioned tina
since the activity of the officers begar
that labels were washed from beer
bottles. but no attempt was made tc
conceal the nature of the contents.
The Law OF the land is superior tc
personal wishes" Judge West said. in
conclusion. We arc glad 10 have
these people. but they must submit,
10 the law. ] call upon you in the
name of the Commonwealth to prob,
thoroughly"
DEFER EXAMINATION
, UNTIL AFTER RECESS
When Judge West completed hi,
charge. the grand jury retired TO II.
: room. hut the examination of wit.
nesseB was deferred until after recca,