Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-26
|NVOKES CUSTER
LAW FOR REMOVAL
OF CHIEF SHERRY
Judge Richardson Will Pro-
ceed Against Those Rec
commended for Dismissal.
MAYOR AINSLIE SAYS
NOTHING HE CAN Do NOW
Question of Chiefs Removal Be-
fore Court-All Others
Are Under Chief.
INDICTED OFFICERS SUSPENDED
Give Bail for Appearance in Court
Monday-Prepare to Fight
Charges.
MAYOR AINSLIE SAYS
NOTHING HE CAN Do NOW
INDICTED OFFICERS SUSPENDED
Give Bail for appearance in Court
Monday-Prepare to Fight
Charges.

Custer proceedings for their remova!
from Office. as recommended by the
special grand jury which conducted a
sweeping investigation into vice con-
ditions OF Richmond. will be instituted
by Judge d. e. Richardson, Of the
liustings Court, against Chief OF Police
G a. Sherry. Police Captain George l..
Pollock, Detective Sergeant l.. c. Ber-
tucc! and Patrolmau g. \. Strain. OF
the First District. Six members OF
the Police Department who were in
d!ctcd by the grand jury appeared be-
fore Judge Richardson yesterday ana
were bailed for their appearance in
the Hastings Court July >. No action
VIII be taken BY Mayor Ainslie pend
ing the conclusion of the procedure to
be followed b. Judge Richardson.
These were the high lights yesterday
In Richmond's police scandal. and ii
was evident that immediate action
would be instituted against those con-
demncd by the grand jury. Wild re-
ports were circulated during the day
affecting members OF the Police De-
rartmcnt. but until late yesterday
afternoon Developments as result OF
the special report had been few. The
systematic action outlined by Judge
Richardson is believed In official cir
clcs TO promise a thorough reorganiz1-
ton OF The Police Department.
MAYOR HOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH JUDGE RICHARDSON
The Mayors position was in doubt
unit! after a conference with Judge
Richardson. which he was unable to
obtain until after 3 o'clock. Efforts
had been made throughout the morn
ing TO arrange a conference. ..t Judge
Richardson was engaged IN trying a
case in the iius,inEs Court, and was
unable to grant the interview. A, that
time Mayor Ainslic did no, know
whether he should take action. be-
cause the jury report had not been
made 10 him. He was unable 10 act
made TO him. He would be unable to
act further than TO remove Chief
sherry since the Richmond charter pro-
vdes that all other members OF the de-
partment are directly under the super
vision OF the chief
Late In the afternoon Mayor .tns!e
went 10 Judge Richardson 10 learn the
proper course he should pursue. Judge
Richardson explained 10 him that the
report had been made 10 tho .rt for
Its "nsideration and that action would
bc taken by him. He told the Mayor
that custer proceedings would be In
stitutcd aGains; the four members OF
the department who had been crit
icized by the grand jury and their
dismissal recommended. II was not in
,nated when this action would be
taken. but 1t is expected that proceed
ings will be started at once.
NO ACTION FOR HIM
TO TAKE, SAYS MAYOR
The Mayor later said there was no
action for him TO take, in view of the
days developments. Those members Of
the department-six in number-who
were indicted were summarily suspe nd :
ed by Chief OF Police Sherry early
yesterday, following official notification
of the grand jurys action. They had
appeared before Judge Richardson in
the Hastings Court. and had been re-
leased on bond Action against the
other men had been planned by Judge
Richardson, the Mayor said. and these
ten men were all in the department
affected by the report. II seemed there
was nothing for him to do, he said.
bnt await the result of the court ac-
ton.
AS for himself and the criticism di-
rcctcd at him by the grand jury he
would make no statement. AS yet he
had not determined whether he would
reply to the criticism of his conduct
of his department. Many people visited
tho Mayors Office yesterday for one
reason or another. while many friends
sought to give him advice. At the
N hat . hn
Mayor could only remove Chief Sherry.
and that he had no control over other
members of the department. Manage
ment Of the department is placed di-
rectly In the hands of the Chief OF
Police. and in official circles Chief
Sherry is held responsible for the al
legged improper conduct Of his subordi-
mates. Circles close to the Mayor
pointed out these provisions OF the
City Charter as the reason why action
must be instituted against the men by
some one other than Mayor Ainsle.
CUSTER PROCEEDINGS
WILL DE INSTITUTED
1t is expected that the custer pro
ceedings against the four men will
be instituted in the next few days,
while the trial of the six police Of
fcers indicted by the grand jury for
their connection with the alleged i'm
portation Of liquor will be set at the
July term of the Hastings Court which
convcnes next Monday. These men are
F. NJ. Bosquet. p. A. Bolton. 1. G..
Cousins. F. J. Hankey j. w, King. T..
c. Kidd and Joseph II. Ridgeway. They
appeared in the Hustings Court at 10
o'clock. and were bailed in the sum Of
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