Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-25

that department can receive but little
OF his personal attention. The appoint
ment of chief is matter of vital
Importance to the people Of the city,
and carries with 1t great RESPONSE
bility. A. few months ago tho Mayor
appointed Captain II. Il. Sowell to the
high Office Of chief. Sowell had a. rec
sufficiently good to warrant promotion,
coming up from a patrolman to a SER
gcancy, then to captaincy. The re-
moval OF Sowell for a comparatively
slight indisc.ntion is. in the opinion of
the grand jury. drastic and unwar
ranted; an admonition would have been
more appropriate. The Mayor again.
In the opinion Of the grand jury, Eriev-
ously erred In the appointment Of
Sherry as chief
MAYOR LACKS QUALITIES
FOR PROPER HEAD OF POLICE
In the opinion of the grand jury
Mayor Ainslie has not shown discreet
Judgment in the management of the
Police Department nor in the appoint
ment Of the present chief. Mayor Aim
slie lacks those qualities which are
requisite for the proper management
of that department.
This is a goodly city and Is entitled
to have a Chief Of Police OF quality
ana education, man above reDroach
and who can command the respect OF
the men in his department. as wolf as
all good citizens. and at the same time
be held in fear by violators of law.
While highly desirable. it is not OBJ
iisatory that the chief shall be selected
from the force.
The Police Department Is at present
divided irto factions and is in a spirit
of unrest and circumstances, which
greatly initiates against its efficiency
a steady hand Is needed at it's head
In spite of these conditions much ex-
cellent work has been done by the
force in apprchending violators of the
law.
ERITICIZES FREQUENT
POSTPoSEMENT OF TRIALS
In addition to the foregoing. the
quent postponement of trials shall
cease. Such postponcments initiate
against the efficiency of the police and
lessen the probability OF convictions
OF the violators of law.
be not curtailed to the extent of max
ing such sentences 4 trifing matter.
We recommend that policemen IN
der charges be not allowed to resign.
We recommend that owners of lit
neys and for-hire cars be requested TO
give a substantial bond 10 operate
their cars in lawful pursuits.
In our protracted labors in the City
Hall We have had daily opportunity Of
seeing the crowded condition or bus
mess in the Hastings Court and the
heavy laborS of the CornHonwcalths
Attorney. We recommend that an as
sistant be employed. who may appear
in the Police Court when desirable
and to assist the COMMEMORATIVE At
torney as he may direct.
FAVOR RESTORATION
OF SOwELL TO CAPTAISCY
Having long and good record on
the police force, we recommend that
Y. Z. Sowell now on furlough. he re-
tained on the force and restored 20 the
position or captain.
From the testimony of police officers.
either the law or the constituting of tho
same is faulty as against policy and
crap games. 1t is said that to secure
conviction against policy. 1t is neces-
sary to find the policy writer actually
writing. and in crap games the game
must be seen and both the money and
dice captured We recommend a broad
err constituting of the laws, and, II nee (.
essary. an appeal to the General AS
scrbly to enact more effectual laws.
we recommend that the General As
sembly be petitioned-to enact pro-
vision OF law SO that Commemorative
attorneys may attend sessions of grand
jury Investigations when SO requested
by the grand jury.
The ordering of common women to
vacate house does not relieve the
community OF the menace. we recon-
mend if within the law, that they be
driven from the State or jailed.
WOULD INTERN WOMEN
FOR DURATION OF WAR
Attention of officers OF the law Is
directed TO section 1912 of the Code OF
Virginia, requiring persons OF not good
fame to give security for their good
behavior. Upon this law emphasis is
laid in the April number OF the Bull
letin of the Virginia State Board Of
Health.
we recommend that the United
States government be urged to intern
for the duration Of the war all
venereally diseased women engaged in
prostitution. as enemies of the coun-
try.
We must have clean men for right
eousness sake and sound men for lib
ertys sake.
Having now performed the tasks as
signed us to the best of our ability, we
beg that we be excused from further
service.
Respectfully submitted,
eousness' sake and sound men for lib
ARTHUR 3. CLARKE,
Foreman,
S. p. COWARDIN,
II. II. HARDESTY,
II. w. ROUNTREE,
s. T., BISHOP