Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-06

, sion was amply proved by results
But as the consequence of their tcsti-
mony two of these officers have been
disciplined by the Police Board, one
| Sergeant Shoemaker, having been re-
duccd To the ranks, the other. Sergeant
| krenScl, having been dropped from the
! force.
The Vice Commission desires first to
express Its deep Indignation ut the
! action of the Police commissioners
| We unqualiiiodly condemn the Police
commissioners Goode. Well Bradley and
! Boyiin in their action In reducing Ser
Seant Shoemaker and In dropping Ser
Seant KrenSe!, for the reasons, first
that no charges of any kind have been
preferred against Sergeant Shomak err;
and. second. that while Sergeant Kren-
gel may have been somewhat indis-
Greet, yet no charges were made
against him, nor was he given trial
or hearing.
Furthermore, the alleged indiscre-
ton was not of such character or
gravity as to warrant the punishment
meted out to him By the board. and
tho conclusion is obvious and unde-
niable that the action taken by the
commissioners was not so much &C
tuatcd by a sincere desire for the well
fare OF the city or the good of the
force as 1t was animated by a personal
feeling on the part OF those upon whom
Elected.
We desire to remind your honor OF
the conditions under which these men
gave their testimony, namely, by your
direction under the command Of their
chief and under summons or the inves-
tigating committee of the city Council.
which summons they were not at lib
crty to disobey.
We respectfully suggest to your
honor that il such action on the part
OF the police commissioners is per-
United to stand that ii will inevitably
tend TO demoraliHe the entire police
force and seriously affect the welfare
OF the city at large.
In the light of tho foregoing facts
we respectfully appeal TO your honor
as Mayor and as chairman OF tho Board
OF Police Commissioners to call meet
ing OF the board at the earliest prac-
ticable moment. and that you Will urge
the board to re!nstate serseants Kren-
gel and Shoemaker 10 the positions
which they have been faithfully filling
for several years.
II. however, this is impossible, then
we earnestly ask Your Honor to trans
nit to the Council OF the city OF Rich
mond the request OF this commissions
which we believe will be Endorsed by
vast majority OF our citizens, that
the police force be so Increased as to
allow the election of Mr. krengel to
the force; and We further respectfully
ask Your Honor's good offices with the
Council and with the Board of Police
commissioners. TO the end that Mr..
Nrengel be promptly restored to the
police force, and that both he and Mr..
Shomaker be given the rank OF SER
seant in accordance with right and
Justice, and as we believe the practi-
cally unanimous demand of the people
OF Richmond
We believe that enlightened and
aroused public sentiment viii sustain
every public servant in the fearless
discharge OF his duty
We respectfully present these facts
10 Your Honor in the firm conviction
that action along the lines indicated
VIII receive the Endorsement and COM
mendation Of loyal citizens
(SigncdJ
r. n. MELTON. chairman.
J. j. GRAVATT,
= y CAIJSCH