The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-14
Svrsr DOES THE COMMITTEE WANT

NUHMr DOES THE COMMITTEE WANT?
81 - Council Investigating Committee inouir-
- into Wee conditions in the city Is not
nngtAenfng fs position by foolish and child
fns4stencs that the Vice Commission give 1t
- w IN tire examination Of five hundred
- of matter ia the hands Of the Vice TOM
Ion. The latter body has assured the Council
1n3efee that the matter in the hands OF the
Hn14ssien will In no way aid the investigation:
u On the ether hand It's general dissemination
I'D work great havoc but in order to satisfy
= ccmrfttee and to remove any ground OF
Sryfaint that the commission is hampering the
|Surk Of the committee. It has agreed that coun-
IT for both committee and commission. and the
Y 1rman OF the former. examine the report and
= such portions as may be thought advisable.
E1dD position should satisfy any reasonable man
~ BODY OF men.
Ss3 ne Investigating committee all through vSs
<crk has manifested two very undesirable char
~cferisfics; first TO confine itself to going over
|<ke same groupd covered by the Vice Commission
|Sfthout making any extensive or valuable origi-
i11 Investigation. and second. in It's continual
sruing on the work Of the Vice Commission the
BSrenmfttee has displayed-not all Of its members,
I'M Is true-a sentiment Of opposition, even OF
&osffiity TO the vice Commission. The tendency
rs much of It's work seems to have an endeavor
IN, arraign. criticize harrass attack-whatever
s4&Ym YOU choose--the work and members Of the
vice Commission.
a. <a~1fn Iu f1 ha GaFSp
Sdeurecatsd--no- is IL To be wondered at that the
Spnbiic is fast gaining the impression That the
fommittee itself does not know what II wants
Sxcept that 1t wants to have it's own way. And
aif people gain also the impression That the com
.xaik4ee is merely seeking grounds for STEPPING
from under the task imposed upon It by the
Coslncfl by attempted throwing on the Vice Com
1l1ssion the committees own responsibility. 1t
shos only itself to blame.
Is A a matter of fact. has not the Vice Commits
lion complied practically with the original re-
1Snen of the committee? After much palaver
~ committee finally adopted the seaton reso-
S{nffon which reads as follows:
NJ THAT the Vice Commission furnish to the
s<1iy ATTORNEY an testimony in their possession.
I'D that the City Attorney have copied by the
s1flrisl sssnographer 10 this committee all tes-
s4tunouy contained therein that refers TO the
1odice Department, and present the same to this
xnunmittee..'
Nov the vice Commission has practically
s1sRs15iied with this request; it has speci-
"a that the city Attorney and the at
1crney for the commission may 20 over
s1ha Ave hundred pages and take from
w the evidence that may be OF legal value TO
S1e cczan,itsee 1t has waived the right 10 specify
~ advance trat only legal evidence shall be
anken leaving to the LAWYERS the determination
Rnf what Is legal. In addition to this, the com
nafseion has agreed that the chairman Of the In
aVsetigaaing Committee shan take part with the
S3ewyers In the deliberations.
M Ect satisfied with this the committee not
1owfng what ii wanted, or not wanting any
22Htng, ha. refused 10 agree 10 the proposal I'M
fns two more members Of the committee are
|s~111ed. Suppose the Vice Commission were TO
ssemt To this: the committee could then very
nv amend .ts request still further to incIude
members Of the committee no consider ar
matter which the Vice Commission has de
red time ard time again has no bearing on
~ ease, and can only do harm II known.
That does the comrnittee WANT Does II
Dw. IL IL seeking an excuse for throwing No
lob and whftswashapg those responsible for
objectionable condition tiaat docs shame 70
atty as borg II exists?