Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-30
VICE Investigators
BEGIN WORK TONIGHT
Examination OF Witnesses VIII Pro-
ceed When Scope Of Inquiry Has
Been Determined.
MAss-MEET1NG IS CALLED
Ministerial Union Adopts Resolutions
Commenting Work Of Vice Com
mission and PIedging Support to
Its Further Study Of Entire Field.

While Mayor George Ainslie, Chief
OF Police Louis Werner and all the
members of the Vice Commission have
special Joint committee Of the City
Council, appointed to sit as a court of
inquiry for the Investigation OF
charges made In the Vice Commission'a a
| reports to the Mayor against Police
Commissioners We'll. Mccarthy and
Goode, at the meeting OF tho investI-
eating body scheduled for 8 o'clock to-
night, II Is probable that few, IL any
witnesses. will be called to the chair
a this sitting.
The Investigating body Is divided
II Is understood, on the question OF
lines to be drawn limiting tho field OF
testimony. This question grows out OF
the enormous Size of the list OF wit
nesses In contemplation. together with
the great body OF witnesses made
available by the extension of the SCOPE
or the investigation SO as to include
the whole Police Department
WOULD LIMIT SCOPE
OF VICE INQUIRY
l. he investigators. for example,
find il advisable to call to the chair
In any OF the scandals presented by
the Vice Commissions reports. that
officers testimony may lead to the
summonfng Of other members OF the
force. and new names may be mem
toned by eRch witness In turn The
expressed desire OF any member of
the inqulsitorial body to hear from
the persons to whom allusion is made
by each new witness would recruit the
ranks OF witnesses to such proportions
that months might be consumed in
! giving them all hearing.
The situation thus presented will
probably lead to n discussion ut to-
nights session Of a suggestion made
! by Councilman Edgar Is. English. the
lawyer member OF tho committee.
The inquiry, ms understand it,"
said Mr.. English. as intended by tho
Council To deal with official acts OF
the members OF the Board Of Police
commissioners and members of the no.
lice force. We are not concerned with
anything In the Vice Commissions re-
ports that does not apply to official
actions of those whose positions make
| them amcnable to the Council and the
public"
/ MAY EXCLUDE ALL NAMES
EXCEPT OF OFFICIALS
If the view of Councilman English
Is accepted. the lines OF evidence Will
be drawn so as TO exclude all except
those who can give information con-
corning the conduct OF members of
the Police Board and the Police Depart
lnent To this time only three men
are directly accused. commissioners
| Well. Mccarthy and Goode. The Coun-
ell. however. has directed the investi-
gators to inquire into the conduct of
tho whole department.
Discussion OF the problem presented
by the multiplicity OF available wit
/ nesses. how to handle them systemati
cally and in such manner as to ex-
pedtte tho investigation without i'm
peding the production OF new testi-
mony that may be found desirable as
the inquiry progresses. will consume
the greater part of to-nights session.
In all probability.
| Each Of the accused police commis-
sioners will he represented by legal
counsel at each sitting Of the commit.
tee. Hiram Smith Will look after tho
interests OF Commissioner Goode, Rob.
! ert Il. Scott will represent Commits.
sIoner Mccarthy. and Leigh II. Page will
be there for Commissioner Well, The
| Vice Commission has not engaged
/ counsel, but will be allowed legal rep.
rcsentation. in all probability. II the
privilege is asked OF tho Investigating
committee. The Vice Commission Is
not In tho attitude Of prosecuting the
commissioners or others named in the
CONTINUED on Third PageJ