Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-30
INVESTIGATION
ARGUMENT CONCLUDED
Decision MS to Accused Men Now
Rests With Council
Committee.
ALL SIDES ARE FULLY HEARD
Committee Will Formulate Its Re-
port to City Council Shortly.
Counsel for Commissioners Sharply
Score Krengel and Sweet.

The investigation of the Police De-
partment by a special joint committee
of the City Council. which began March
"a. was concluded last night at S
o'clock.
The case is now in the hands of the
investigating body. 1t remains for
the Investigators to determine the vim
dication or dishonor of at least half
dozen individuals. whose integrity,
veracity and fitness for the public posi-
tions they occupy was drawn within
the range of fire OF accusing witnesses
during the long inquiry. Chief among
these are Police Commissioners r. y.
Goode. D. f. Mccarthy and Cliff We'll.
The evidence and argument were
taken under consideration by the in
vestigating committee last night, after
sitting that extended through seven
hours and half. with two intermis-
stons of ten minutes each.
With Chairman Barton H. Grundy
presiding and all the members of the
inquisitorial body present, the final
session, at which the argument OF the
attorneys was heard, began at 1880
O'Clock in the afternoon. When the
committee adjourned, Chairman Grundy
stated that he would decide later upon
the date for calling the body together
10 begin preparation of the report and
findings to be made to the City Council.
WYATT SAYS POLICE
COULD ENFORCE LAW
Following the examination of sew
eral new witnesses called by City At
torney II. r. Pollard. the committees
legal adviser. and Murray NJ. Mcclure.
attorney for the Vice Commission. came
the long argument. Mr.. Mcclure spoke
one hour. Hiram NJ. Smith. counsel for
Commissioner Goode. one hour and fif-
teen minutes: Leigh r. Page. counsel
for Commissioner We'll, thirty five
minutes; Robert f.. Scott. counsel for
Commissioner Mccarthy. one hour and
thirty-fivc minutes. and City Attorney
Pollard, one hour and thirty minutes.
High Constable William II. Wyatt
.Ir., former member of the police force.
and acting sergeant. was called to the
witness chair at the opening of the
session by Mr.. Pollard to sustain his
contention that if the police were
vigilant and active and were properly
supported by the Board OF Police Com
missioners, the vice conditions eX-
posed by the Vice Commission could
not have existed in Richmond.
Questioned by Mr.. Pollard. High Con-
stable Wyatt expressed his opinion
that houses of i'll fame and gambling
resorts could have been closed if the
police were diligent in the perform
ance of their duty. Witness said that
when the police wish to obtain evil
dence to close disorderly houses they
can obtain this evidence by employing
ordinary alertness: that II is. there
fore. possible to break up such resorts
by enforcing the law.
DID NOT USE PROPER
EFFORTS, SAYS SCHERER
Luther l.. Scherer. claim agent for
the Chesapeake and Ohio, and formerly
In active charge of the secret service
of the railroad company. corroborated
what Mr.. Wyatt said. Replying to Mr..
Pollard's questions. witness said: "I
believe the present police force is n
capable one, and able TO deal with
existing Vice conditions. believe very
few disorderly houses have been run
without the general knowledge OF the
department and citizens familiar with
Richmond's streets My personal opin-
ion Is that proper efforts have not been
put forth to get evidence against these
places. The Police Department could
get the information, in my opinion. If
the police wanted to convict"
Detective Sergeant Fred L. Krengel
questioned by Attorney Mcclure. ex-