Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-23
GRAND JURY EXPECTED
TO REPORT TOMORROW
Will Convene at 10 O'Clock and Con-
fer as to Final Ac.
tion
ARE EXPECTED
Tomorrow Marks Beginning of
Fourth Week OF Inquiry-Sowcll
Will Not Remain With Police De-
partment.


In official circles 1t is believed that
there Will be no further delay, but that
the special grand jury of the Hastings
Court after reconvenng tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock will be ready to
make It's final report to tho court some
time during the day But, as one of
the members Of the jury said: I'VE
are rather inquisitively inclined and
this matter has so many raminflca-
lions that IT is hard to say positively
that we Will be prepared to make the
report on Monday. However, unless
something unexpected develops we
nave finished tho taking OF evidence I"
When the grand jury reconvencs
Tomorrow 1t Will he the fourth week
Of the inquiry which has begun from
the ton and gone to the bottom in &,
thorough probe of underworld condi-
lions I'm Richmond. II was generally
thought that the jury was ready TO
report Friday afternoon. but the sum-
moninE of former Chief of Police
Sowell and the recalling of Mayor
Ains!ie upset even the best OF cal
culations.
Because Of the length of tho probe
and the desire of the inqusitors to
get to the bottom and in view OF their
statements that they themselves had
no idea of the exact date of the con-
clusion. ii is believed that damaging
t' iNcHtc against private CllZcnS as
we'll rs members of the Police De-
Dartmcnt has been uncarthcd More
than once IT has been limited that the
grand jury has something up its
sleeve"
Commemorative Attorney Wise. who
Was In conference with the jury on
Friday, remained silent and would not
discuss the matter at all. Although
the probe has been long and tiresotne,
the jurors have taken every precau-
ton to prevent 4 leak and the utmost
secrecy of their proceedings has been
preserved
SOWELL WILL RESIGN
FROM POLICE FORCE
Former Chief Of Police J. r. Il.
Sowcll yesterday admitted that after
Tucsda" he will no longer be mem
Der Of the Richmond Police Depart
Inent. Sowell said that he will resign
cs a private on the force, TO which
position he was reduced from that OF
Chief Of Police. In removing Sowcll
hs Chief Of Police. Mayor Ainslie made
IL plain that he did not believe Sowcl
TO be guilty OF any offense, but that
he had shown grave indiscrction and
"inflrmty Of Judgment fatal to one
holding the high position of chief"
AT the time he was removed qucs-
tion WAS raised as TO whether the re-
nroval merely reduced tho former chief
- va AIMS w S'Ncicn HIS CPilNeS-
ton with the Police Department. but
the Mayor announced that he would
rather Sc on The generous side. and
Sowell continued as a member Of the
police force. In making his position
cicar. Sowcll said Yesterday: a. Of
course, viii have to resign whcr my
furlough expires. There is nothing
else for me to do. / have no plans for
the future"
Continuing. he said: There was no
justitlable ground TO remove me a.
head OF the department. and those re-
sponsible for II know that full we'll
| was given no chance whatever. bu.
summary dealt With. / was not even
accorded the courtesy Of a trial Why
'h!s was the public doubtless under.
stands. Certainly IL can scarcely ne
contcndcd that my alleged offcnse
mcritcd tho punishment mctcd out 20
ne"