Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-17
AND WERNER
DECLINE TO COMMENT
Mayor Ainslic Returns To-day, and
May Inquire Into Reports
Spread In His Absence.
TALK OF CUSTER PROCEEDINGS
Dissatisfaction Expressed With Way
-Prohibition Law Is Being Eu-
forced - Mayors Friends Deny
That He Tied Chiefs Hands.

Mayor Ainslie, who has been in Sa-
Sannah for several days attending a
conference OF Mayors OF Southern
cities. is expected back at his office
this morning. Interest in official cir
cles has cen,ercd on what attitude the
Mayor will take in regard to alleged
inactivity OF tho police in supprcsSinS
the bringing OF liquor into the city.
Chief of Police Werner last night de-
clined to discuss reports OF friction
between himself and tn" Mayor. and
said he had not read published reports
that the Mayor might find it desirable
to- make a change in the head OF the
Police Department.
Prohibition Commissioner Peters
also declined TO discuss the allegation
that his Office was not satisfied with
the way the liquor laws were being
enforced in Richmond since the perma-
mont purity squad was abolished and
the plain clothes work around the rail-
road stations assigned 10 Inherent
men working in rotation.
FRIENDS OF BOTH OFFICIALS
RESENT CURRENT REPORTS
FRIENDS Of Major Werner resent any
intimation that he has not done his
duty. Friends of the Mayor are equal
~. as resentful that he has been dere-
lict,. or that he has hindered the CHIEF
OF, Police in bringing about the arrest
of %violators OF the prohibition act.
1T Is being said anonE men familiar
with conditions In the Police Depart
ment that Major Werner is seeking
cover against the criticism directed
against him by placing the respohs,-
billy on another's shoulders. FRIENDS
or the Mayor are unqualified in the
statement that he has left police mat
tiers largely to the discretion or Major
Werner, In whom, az an experienced
man, he confidently relied. The Mayor
has expressly stated that he did not
order the chief 10 change the system
under which the so-cailed purity
SQUAD was operated. that the chief
made the change on his own initiative.
AS a matter Of fact. the purity squad
has never been abolished. 1t Is stii
in active existence win its menioer-
ship changed periodically. The plain
clothes SQUAD was used primarily for
the detection OF bootlegSers. Major
Werner merely changed his policy OF
retaining the same officers exclusively
for this duty.
RUMoRS OF FRICTION
BETWEEN MAYOR y CHIEF
In various quarters yesterday IL was
confidently reported that the Chief OF
Police and the Mayor were at logger
heads, and that the former may be re-
moved from office for allowing reports
to be spread that the Mayor VAS nam
pering him in the discharge oil MS
duty.
Friends OF Major Werner, who be-
lieve that lie has been diligent in using
every means to enforce prohibition in
Richmond, declare that II the. Mayor
attempts to cut off the head OF the
Chief OF Police. custer proceedings
against the Mayor will certainly fol-
low. In such event the accused Off
eial would have a right to demand
trial BY Jury.
80 There can be no question but that
the Mayor can remove the Chief OF
Police at any time he sees fit. On this
point the city charter says: The
Mayor shall appoint a suitable person
as Chief Of Police and suitable person
rs Of police, either OF whom
may be removed at his pleasure" II
is commended that this leaves tho
Mayor free 10 act in any manner he
sees nt, and that he can pick for the
head OF the Police Department any
man he wishes. whether he be a MEM
Der OF the department or not.
-. Before he went 10 Savannah, Mayor
Ainslie gave no intimation hat all
was not harmony between Major Wer-
,ner and himself. ON the contrary. he
said that Major Werner was conduct
ing tho affairs of the department; that
the change of system regarding the
moral squad was a voluntary
act by the chief and not the result
OF any instructions or orders.