Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-26


s3uu v...n Tor their appearance next
Monday morning.
Retirement from office through custer
proceedings will be warmly contested
by Chief Sherry and the other three
members of the department against
whom such action will be taken. il was
declared last night. Major Sherry
has declared that the charges against
him are false, but said last might that
his statement on Monday night that
he would fight the charges until HI
freezes over" was made in informal
conversation, and had not been in
tended for publication. AS for Cap
tain George Z. Pollock who is sec
rotary and purchasing agent of the
Police Department, he Is standing on
his record. but friends are Offering
their assistance in his defense. Ser
Scant Bertucci said yesterday that the
grand jury's censurc was unjustifed.
and he issued a statement explaining
his connection with a reward OF 500
paid for the recovery or diamond
ring.
CHARTER CHANGES PROVIDE
FOR DIRECTOR OF POLICE
One Of the most interesting devel-
opments yesterday was the intimation
from office the new head of the de-
par;ment will be selected outside the
department.. This was declared TO he
the best solution of the problem. since
the police force is admitted 10 be gen
orally demoralized and lacking in dis
ciplne. Mayor Ainslie said he had
always fought against any such ac-
zion because he believed i, would ope-
rate against the efficiency of the de-
pariment, since private would know
that his advancement was limited.
In support OF this view, he declared
tina: in other cities of the country
where the Police Department was
under the control of director, or any
ether title given to the position. the
chief Of police was in reality retained
In the capacity OF superintendent or in
spector. who came from the ranks.
The Councils charter-change plan
would overcome this obstacle. for there
is created a director OF public safety
in charge OF the Police and Fire De-
partinents
TESTIMONY OF SOME WITNESSES
Is OPENLY QUESTIoNED
In many circles yesterday an unusual
sentiment arose. and was widely dis
cussed Despite the fact that citizens
refused 70 admit any criticism of the
grand jury. believing that conditions
we're bad in Richmond and that the
Jurors had attempted to remedy the
situation TO the best OF their know
ledge, there seemed to be q general
opinion that the testimony OF certain
men had been accepted. TO the detr-
ment perhaps OF others. Several city
officials declared that they could not
believe any statement made by several
witnesses before the grand jury on
whose testimony they presumed the re-
port rad been based.
Members OF the grand jury declared.
however. that the report was drawn
upon testimony which had been cor
robora,ed by other witnesses.
Mayor Ainslie was Immediately ad
vsed %; the grand jury's action by
Clerk Walter Christian, OF the Hust-
!nss Court. in the following letter:
Dear Sir: am instructed by the
Judge OF the Hastings Court TO notify
you that the grand jury this day
returned the following indictments
against the following persons:
&c. II. Deakins for a felony.
II. NJ. Bosquet. r. A. Bolton. /. c.
Cousins. T.. |. Hankcy j. w. King. l..
c Kidd. Joseph RI. Ridgeway and r..
$ Waller, the last eight persons be-
ing indicted for violation OF the pro-
h!bition bin"
MAYOR APPROVES SUSPENSION
OF INDICTED POLICEMEN
Tn" Mayor received the letter yes