The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-16
VICE Commission

Continued from First Page)
Commit ssion. yesterday asked that that
body file with him as soon as possible
it's complete report on the vice con-
ditions of the city. Mayor Ainsiie
stated that he could not wisely de-
ermine his course of action prior to
the fnal report OF the commission.
without taking the chance that his
action would suffer from it's prema-
turity. His request came as the re-
suit of numerous and insistent demands
that the Police Department be inves-
tigated.
Following is the letter:
February Is. 1915.
lion. Ashton Starke. Chairman.
I422 East Main Street, City:
MY Dear Mr.. Starke---A re-
port marked Report No. l., of
the Vice Commission was filed with
me on the afternoon OF February
5th. instant. which report stated
that further and subsequent re-
port would be made.
II considered that a decent re-
spect for the commission itself as
we'll as for the Importance of its
function and it's necessary bearing
on my own duties in the premises
demanded that A reasonable time
be given for its further delibera-
ton and action. and I still hold to
this view.
Il cannot wisely determine my
whole course of action prior TO the
final report of the commission
without taking the chance that my
action would suffer from it's pre-
maturity. I. therefore, respectfully
request the commission to file its
complete and final report, together
with all the evidence before 1t, at
its earliest convenience, in order
that my own action in the premises
may be maturely and advisedly
taken
Respectfully.
tSigned)
GEORGE ATNsLTE.
Mayor"
speed Or wtsdoms
which is more desirable" asked
Mayor Ainslie, in discussion his letter,
quick action or wise action? What
do will have lasting effect and will
have to stand the test of critical exami-
on Its merits
That Is Just how members of the
Vice Commission seen yesterday seem
TO feel. They do not wish TO be hur-
ried
Report No. of the Vice commits.
sion was filed with Mayor Ainslie last
Since that time, because OF
the fact that the report carried the
impression that the commission held
of the Police Board respon-
sible for the nonenforcement OF the
law. and also for the nonenforcemenl
Of even their segregation regulation,
individual members of the board have
N.x,
Mayor Ainslie received communi-
cation from Douglas Gordon, as a
Of the Police Board. asking
hat he be Investigated, He irnmedi-
ately turned the paper over to the
Vice Commission. The Vice Commits
sion has SO far failed to take any &C
ton in the matter and If q state
ment said to have been made by q
member of the commission yesterday
is authentic the paper will be return-
ed to Mayor Ainslie with the recon-
that he fife the request
with a body whose duty ii is to con-
duct such Investigations.
May Reach Council.
This is taken TO mean that sooner
or later the request will reach the
City Council. A member of the Coun-
ell was yesterday quoted as saying
that IL the Vice Commission could
bring to light any fact concerning the
Police Board that he would at once
take action. Another is quoted as
saying that the Mayor started it and
the Mayor could finish It,
The fact that Mayor Ainslie is ex-
offfcio president of the Board OF Po-
lice Commissioners. would. it seems.
deter him from trying to handle the
situation himself. The fact that a city
official Is conducting an investigation
into his own record would create a
laugha BILE situation. according to a
OF the commission.
In speaking OF other features OF
their recommendation included in Re-
port No, a member OF the commits
sion said yesterday that numerous
were reaching the police
regarding designation houses about
the city. The order closing the segre-
gated district also provided for the
OF houses of vice wherever
p n