Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-25
MAYOR A|NsL|E DECLINES
TO COMMENT ON REPORT
Chief Sherry Says Charges Are False,
and That lie Will Fight
Removal.
M.iGNitIcHNT, SAYS PETERS
Captain Pollock Points to His Rec
ord, ana Offers TO Face Charges
:tt Proper Time-Sowell's Friends
Regard Report as Vindication.

When questioned last night as to
what action he would take in light OF
the report OF the special grand jury,
Mayor AinslieN declined TO make any
statement on the ground that he had
not read the report closely or given
the recommendations mature consider
alton. when pressed for his decision
as TO the status OF the members of the
Police Department indicted by the
grand jury and those Recommended for
dismissal. he said:
'of course the men indicted will be
suspended. AS for the men recommend
ed for dismissal. have not yet ar
rived NJ any conclusion. ] 90 not know
whether tho recommendations mean the
institution OF custer proceedings or
not. have nothing TO say until /
confer with Judge Richardson in the
morning"
Com ioner of Prohibition J. Sid
mey Peters said last night that he did
not think 1t necessary nor cxpedent
for him TO make statement. Said DR..
Peters: Il have no comment TO make
However, do think that the grand
jury has done magnificent work. and Is
entitled TO the gratitude of all ;he
citizens"
CHIEF SHERRY WILL FIGHT
"UNTIL Ill FREEZES OVER"
Chief of Police Sherry. in tersc
and red-hot denial, made clear his 20
sition. Chief Sherry was reached over
the telephone at his home. and said:
Every charge against me is false.
am not guilty of a thing, and villa
fight it out to inish-until HI
freezes over to skating ice"
Commemorative Attorney Wise made
II plain that he did not intend to shirk
his duty in the slightest, however dis
agreeable 1t might prove. Il will pro-
cced. if necessary and Incidental to
my office, in all matters TO a finish.
will do my full duty" he said
Captain George l.. Pollock. secretary
and purchasing agent for the Police
Department, although reticent at first,
consented to make n statement. maxi
Ing his position clear.
81 have no criticism to make OF the
action of the grand jury. For siXtee!
years ] have occupied my present re-
sponsible position. and during that time
more than s3,000,0Q0 has passed through
my hands. ] have always endeavored
to do my duty efficiently and promptly
and an, ready to face any charge at
any time by any man before any tri-
bunal'
SOWELI'S FRIENDS REGARD
REPORT AS HIS VINDICATIOS
Former Chief of Police j. Il. 3. Sowell
reiterated his former statements and
emphasized tho position taken by him
as Chief of Police. "I look at matters
as did formerly. / have nothing to
say" However. it is known that his
numerous friends are jublant over
what they claim to be complete vim
dication.
At present there Is much discussion
as to the status of the men recon-
mended by the grand Jury for dismissal.
There is n dispute as to whether the
report of the grand jury in these cases
was meant to be the beginning of suits
of custer proceedings or merely as
advice for the guidance of the Mayor.
In the event that these recommended
tions take the form of custer pro-
ceedings. well-informed people assert
that it is logical that these men will
be suspended until they either prove
their Innocence or are found guilty In
court. n these recommendations are
merely Intended as advice to the Mayor
for. his conduct OF the Police Depart
ment, of which he is the official head
it remains to be seen to what extent
CONTINUED on Third Page.)