Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-25

that the members Of the Vice Commits
sion, individually and collectively. in
the initial stage OF the inquiry affect
ing the character and standing In the
community of three members OF the
Hoard OF Police Commissioners in par
ti"ular, and the whole board and po-
lice Department In general. viii he re-
Guired TO substantiate their accusa-
tions.
INVESTIGATION WILL.
HAVE WIDE SCOPE
IT means, further. that the scope Of
inquiry VIII DO much broader than an
uc!pntcd; that the testimony OF tho
members OF the Vice Commission be-
fore the inqusitorial body Will be sub
jected TO comparison with the allaga-
uons contained I'm the several reports
submitted to the Mayor and that each
and every individual concerned will be
given full and fair hearing, with
ample opportunity to clear his skirts
or incur the condemnation OF the in
vestigating body.
The circumstances that the committoc
directed the printing OF a special form
of summons To be used in the summon
ing Of witnesses indicates that the
witnesses Will be numerous
There was no absentee when the hody
was called TO order In the Council com
mittce room In the City Hall at s
o'clock The committee consists of AL
dermen Barton II. Grundy. II. Waverlv
Melton and William w. Workman and
councilmen Edgar T. English, George
Washington Rogers. Edgar H. Fergus
son and Clarence y. Scaton AS re-
quired by the resolution creating the
body. City Attorney Henry II. Pollard
sat with the investigators and from
time to time gave counsel pertaining
TO the business procedure Serving as
clerk OF the committee was Alfred II.
Mcdowell. clerk of Council Committees.
GRUNDY CHAIRMAN, AND
SEATON SUB-CUAIRMAS
Organization WAS effected when. on
motion OF Councilman Rogers. the
unanimous vote of the body for chair
man was given TO Alderman Barton
IL. Grundy On Mr.. Rogers's nomlna.
ton Councilman Seaton was then
chosen as sub-chairmnn. Immediately
after the election OF officers Council
man Ferguson offered a motion to 20
into executive session and to hold all
future sessions of the investigating
Alderman Melton protested He de-
clared himself unaiternbly opposed to
the proposition. He thought this was
an affair IN which the people of Rich
mond are vitality interested, and that
they should he permitted to hear the
whole case from start to finish. Mr..
Melton offered as a substitute that all
sittings OF the investigators be open to
the public.
Councilman Edgar b. English warm
IL supported the Melton substitute
The people of Richmond want to know
what transpires in this inquiry" he
said "and we. as their servants, have
no right to exclude them. | am on
posed to any other form OF procedure
than that which will admit Of the full
est publicity. | believe the people want
to know what we arc doing. They
should be given that privilege" Mr..
English spoke at some length and with
great earnestness in opposition to the
FERGUSON proposition for closed doors.
ROGERS INDORSES
OPEN-D0OR POLICY
Councilman Rogers also declared for
open doors. These sessions" he said
should be open to the citizens of
Richmond. Ry that. I mean that every
soter and taxpayer should he given
4ccess. I am in favor OF excluding
women and children. | will offer that
as a substitute"
Chairman Grundy inquired Of the
City Attorney: Can women and per-
sons under the age of twenty-one
years be excluded. as Mr.. Rogers de-
sires?'
Yes, | think that would be legal
and proper" replied Mr.. Pollard.
Alderman Melton finally amended
his substitute for the Ferguson closed
doors resolution so as to exclude only
minors. This was accepted by Mr..
Rogers, and the Melton amendment
was adopted. only Mr.. Ferguson yot
Ing against It.
Alderman Workman inquired OF City
Attorney Pollard: For the informa
tion OF the committee. / think we
Continued on Seventh Page.)