Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-19

Win respect 10 the Mitchell motion
Just adopted. evidenced by several OF
the members, President Adams recon
Neh"d the Board. Alderman Powers
moved that the vote by which the
Mitchell motion was carried be recon
sidered. Mr. Adaina called the Boards
attention to the fact that report No.
., containing the charges against the
three police commissioners. had already
peeh read, In part, by some Of the mem
bers and newspaper men, and EXPRESSED
inc Dehet mat the wisest course would
be TO release the paper, relying upon
the discretion OF the newspapers
Speeches opposing a reconsideration
were made By Aldermen Mitchell
Christian. Grundy and Workman The
latter thought il would be unwise to
make public the content of report No
before the Common Council had con-
CURED In tho resolution appointing an
investigating committee Alderman
Powers withdrew his motion to recon
siher, and the Board adjourned
ATTORNEYS PRESENT TO
REPRESENT ACCUSED MEN
None OF the three police commits
s!ohers against whom charges are
brought in the Vice Commissinn's rn
number of prominent attorneys sew
efaI OF whom, 1t is understood. were
present IN the interest OF the accused
men. Police Sergeant Shoemaker and
tatfoilnan Lear, the giant OF the force
s'oon guard at the chamber entrance
To prevent possible disorder.
The resolution introduced by Alder
mar! Grundy was prepared Yesterday
under the direction OF President Adoms
an" tltE Attorney Pollard. Under the
uhwritien rule OF the Council. which
makes the patron or a resolution Great
ing a committee chairman OF that com
mittce' President Adams will appoint
auefi"hn GrunGy chairman Of the Joint
oodS which will! conduct the approach
ing investigation.
Mr.. Adams said last nigh, tina, no
VIII De unable TO decide upon the other
henDef OF the committee from the
upper branch until after consulta
tioh with President Peters, OF the Com
mon council. 1t will be the effort OF
the presidents OF the two branches IN
make the committee representative of
me wards as well as of the hest obili,v
the two bodies possess
APPROPRIATIONS MADE
FOR INITIAL EXPENSES
me appropriation for the initial ey
pthses OF the investigation was mabs
ss9. in order that II might be nassed
last night without A reference TO tho
Finance Committee Such n refersncn
would have been unavoidable under the
rules had the appropriation been 500
or more. II is understood that the
investigation Will make necessary sun
piementary appropriations. which will
DC Forthcoming rs the needs arise.
Although his efforts to divert the in
Nestigation from the Council to n grand
jury went down in defeat by an over
"helming vote. Alderman pullc,'s
speech in behalf OF his substitute reso
tuition was the decided sensation OF
the evening. 1t carried an overt criti-
cism OF tn" Mayors course In the vice
agitation. taking him To task for deal
ing at distance with commission
OF his own making, and for loading on
the shoulders OF the Council a burden
which, lie said. he himself should have
assumed. at least In part.
FULLER OPPOSES
GRUMPY RESOLUTION
am opposed TO the adoption of this
resolution for number OF reasons"
said NJ. Pulicr. opening his attack
upon the paper offered by Alderman
GrundE. AT that outset | want TO say
that no man deplorcs the present situa
tion more than do, on account of
the gentlemen whose names are IN
Volved. on account OF the unpleasant
publicity that has been given and Is
still being given our city. and especial
~ OH account OF the effect Of the cyl
dence involved on the minds and morals
OF the BOYS and girls of our city.
This il matter in which the Coun-
Gil should act slowly and surely. We
should be sure OF our premises fore
we proceed. II is 81 matter conccruiue
the disposition of which this BODY
should have been advised
81 believe that the Vice Commission
is composed OF honest and high mind ed
men and women---aS honest and high
minded as can he found within the CON
fines of our city And believe. too.
that the personnel of the police force
is equal in character, If not superior. TO
the police force or any other city in
the country.
SAYS MAYOR AND CHIEF
SHOULD HAVE KNOWN CONDITIONS
How was the vice investigation
brought about" There existed com
mercialized vice in the city. and every
person In official life knew it They
not only knew that this vice was not
confined to the segregated district
alone, but made no effort to correct
conditions in the light OF that knowl-
edge. The Mayor, the Chief Of Police
and the Police Board knew OF these
conditions, or should have known.
THE matter was agitated by tho
newspapers, and finally n sentiment was
crystallizcd which called for a stricter
enforcement Of the law. About that
time came the mayoralty campaign.
and tho Vice Commission was appoint
cd. For what purpose was 1t appoint-
ed: To gather evidence? Certainly.
that. must have been the purpose of it's
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