Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-12
WND|CAT|ON FOR
DOUGLAS GORDON
Members of Vice Commission
Say There Is No Taint
on His Name.
OTHERS MAY ASK CLEAN BILL
By Process of Elimination,
Names Hinted At in Report
May Become Known.

Police Commissioner w Douglas
Gordon will receive from the Vice
Commission a clean bill Of health
This was the unqualified assertion
made last night by prominent mem
ber Of the Vice CornInission-onc who
has been n directing force in the COM
missions Investigations and is familiar
with every fact that II has gathered
and every line OF evidence that is con-
iained in It's records.
II should not like at this time. be-
fore the commission as a body has had
an opportunity of looking at Mr.. Cor
don's protest. to be quoted with refer
encc TO this matter said this member
OF the commission last night Ger
tainly ! would rot presume to speak
for the whole body.
NO SCRATCH OF PEN AGAINST
MIR. GORDON'S RECORD
Put know this 10 be Il fact-thcre
is not scratch Of the pen against
Mr.. Gordon's record as member Of
the Board of Police Commissioners in
all the evidence that is in the Vice Com
missions possession. Since reading his
request FOR vindication, ] have talk ed
with two members of the investigating
committee. under whose direction the
commissions active Investigations were
conducted. Both of them agreed with
mo that Mr.. Gordon's record. as far as
We know. Is above suspicion.
Il do no; hesitate TO say that the
commission will be glad OF the oppor-
tunity to issue MIR. Gordon clean bill
o! health. am ready to do it now
There w!ll be no question OF conducting
an Investigation. 1t will take the com
mission only few minutes to comply
with Mr.. Gordon's request. His record
is clean"
THREE MEMBERS PROMPTLY
AGREE AS TO PROBABLE ACTION
The willingness with which this mem
ber OF the commission. as far he per-
sonally was concerned, met Mr. Cor
don's request for an investigation in
dicated clearly that there is little basis
for the fear that the Vice Commission
would return the communication with
a noncommittal answer. or without any
comment whatsoever. 1t evidenced the
Willingness of at least three influential
members OF the commission TO remove
promptly any stigma that might by
Inference have been placed upon Mr.
Gordon's name by reason OF it's now
famous report
Chairman Ashton Starke Of the Vice
Commission. said last night that Mr.
Gordon's protest. was forwarded to
him by the Mayor without comment
late in the afternoon. He was on the
point OF leaving the city for two
day trip, and will not return until to-
morrow. a meeting OF the Vice Com
mission will probably be called by Mr..
Starke early next week to take up the
communication.
MAY PUT OTHER MEMBERS
IN EMBARRASSING POSITION
In view OF III" practically assured en-
oneration OF Mr.. Gordon. interest Is
heightened in the Judgment that will
ultimately fail to the share OF the other
seven members of the Police Board
1t appears automatic that as the vote
OF confidence is given to one member
OF closely knit body, the unvindicated
members are left in position that ap-
pronches the emba arrassing stage
y reasonable deduction from the
prompt reparation that is expected 10
be accorded Police Commissioner Cor
don is that the other members of the
Pollce Board who are nursing outraged
feelings will apply for similar relief
sonal Investigations would, by the
same process Of reasoning. bring abso-
luton to every member OF the Police
Board whose record cannot he oues
toned. leaving 10 that portion of the
board that has not seen nj to ask for
an Investigation the burden OF explain
ing its failure to do so
COUNCIL INVESTIGATION
GENER A
In one respect. the Vice Commissions
prompt eNoneration of Mr.. Gordon Will
have decidedly significant bearing.
II Will make il unnecessary for the
Mayor to send the protest to the Coun-
ella procedure which would probably
be followed by the Mayor should the
commission return Mr.. Gordon's re-
quest unanswered.
with the matter. as far as Commits
sioner Gordon is concerned, adjusted I'm
the manner indicated. the much dis
cussed investigation of the Police Board
and Police Department would have to
be initiated through an agency oth,r
than the Mayors Office The Council
itself would be the most natural point
of origin. y resolution introduced i'm
either branch of the Council, or n mo-
ton from the floor, directing the an
pontment of an investigating commit
tee would bring the whole issue to n
sharp focus.
WOULD DEPEND on PERSONNEL
AND VIGOR OF INVESTIGATIONS
In the event that the Council should
undertake an investigation, 1t would
be in position to exercise wide
powers. AS the body is clothed with
power to remove the members of the
Police Board for cause. and the ulti-
mate authority in the city government,
it could summon to its inquisitions any
officer or employe of the city. 1t would
have tho power also. il Is believed. to
put on the stand the members of the
Vice Commission itself. and compel the
introduction as evidence of all the data
that body has collected j
The success of Council investiga-
ton, 1t is generally admitted, would
depend upon the men that form the
investigating committee. the compe-
tency Of the advice II was given, and