Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-18
ALDERMEN WILL TAKE
Time TO READ REPORT
No Hasty Action Planned In Refer
ence to Accused Police
Commissioners.
ENGLISH cosnrENps GORDON
Member of Committee Says His Tes-
timony on Stand Had Much to Do
With Committees Recommends
tons as TO Change I'm System.

The Board OF Aldermen will not BE
called TO meet in special session TO act
upon the report OF the committee that
investigated the Police Department for
AT least two weeks. President Ada ms.
of the Board. SO announced yesterday.
He said he was acting in difference
as TO the wishes 81 the members. They
want to examine the evidence upon
which the findings OF the investisa-
tors and their recommendations are
based. This evidence is voluminous,
he explained. and scanning il will re-
0uire some time. Possibly a lon ger
DELAY than two weeks may be found
a6visa BILE"
The reason why the investigating
committee asked FOR the resignation OF
Commissioners We'll and Goode. instead
Of recommending their removal. was
disclosed yesterday. II was stated that
the committee received legal advice
that the evidence against these COM
missioners was not stronS enough to
warrant an impeachment recommends
ton.
Friends Of Commissioner Mccarthy.
whose conduct was pronounced by the
investigators mot above criticism.
are contending for his reelection as
a matter OF vindication.
They contend that the findings Of
the committee give him clean bill
of health. regardless Of the statement
lief that Mccarthy will be reelected
to the Police Board.
BELIEF GENERAL THAT
POLICE BOARD WILL GO
In the meantime the belief grows
more general that the City Council
will accept that part OF the recon-
mendations which calls for the abolish
ment of the Board of Police Commits
sioners and the substitution in It's
o1u nf ,r,,-c eli ~ Police
shall have full and absolute executive
authority over the department.
Many prominent citizens have com
mended the proposed change in the
mana cement and control OF ;le police
service of the city. Police Commits )
sioner Douglas Gordons name has
been widely mentioned in connection
with the new office. 1t is known that
the investigating committee was
guided to a material extent in recon :
mendins changes for the better EN-
cheney of the department by the tes-
timony given by Commissioners Gordon
in the witness chair.
IF the police department is to he
put under single executive" said
Councilman Edgar y. English. of the
investigating committee. discussing
the published reports associatinS Mr..
Gordon's name with the proposed Of
nee. Il do not know of a more capable
and competent man for such posi-
ton Mr.. C;ordon's extensive krowl-
edge of police work and his many
years Of experience and observation as
a member of the Police Board render
him peculiarly fitted for just such I
position. 1t would certainly be diff
cult to find another man in Richmond
with the same qualifications. | have
no hesitancy in saying he would be my
choice. il the question Of filling the
Office were before the Council"
MIR English is one of the two mem
hers who refused 10 concur in the re-
port of the investigating body. He
declined to sign the paper, which car
Tied among many other recommends
tons one for the adjustment of the
Police Board and the creation OF the
office of Commissioner of Police.
If that recommendation is favorably
acted on. IL is possible TO put the
change into effect before the end OF
next spring 4 charter change will be
necessary. That may be obtained early
in the next session of the General AS.
semhly, which convenes in January.