The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-17
POLICE LAX|TY IS
BEFORE JURY TODAY
Stated That Officers Have
Been Derelict in Report
ing Liquor Cases.
REVIEWS INVESTIGATION
Results of Grand Jury Work
Expected to Be Made Pub
lie Early This Week.
Expect Surprise.
REVIEWS INVESTIGATION

The grand Jury engaged in inves-
ttgatinr the alleged Illegal traffic in
liquor engaged in by bootleggers and
policemen. will meet at 10 o'clock this
morning The jury adjourned Friday
afternoon, after practically conpiet-
ing its inquiry. so far as the liquor
traffic is concerned.
The grand fury will taxa up today
the Investigation of reports concern
ing the laxity OF certain policemen In
reporting individuals having liquor on
their premises when searched and
such liquor found
Failure to Report
The jury will. it is understood. prob
ably investigate reports that when
certain officers were detailed to search
suspected places for liquor. they re-
turned with the report that no liquor
was found, when, az a matter OF fact,
liquor was found, but not conftscated
nor were the occupants of the premises
reported or taken in charge for stor-
ing such liquor.
There will probably be in the re-
port Of the grand jury, which may be
handed in early this week. a criticism
Of the activity OF policemen and spe-
ciaI officers In seizing satchels and
trunks. suspected Of containing ltQ-
uor. without making at least an ef-
fort to locate and arrest the persons
shipping the liquor or those to whom,
, II 10 sent
The point will be made that the Of
tcers might have the opportunity OF
arresting the owners by keeping watch
over the suspected baggage until call
ed for.
Bootleggers Move About
Police records show that numbers
OF houses occupied by suspected boot.
leggers have been searched and re-
ports returned that no liquor was
found. IT Is said that in some In.
stances In such searches liquor had
been found. byt that upon explanation
by the owners that it had been ir
their possession since prior to the
operation of the liquor laws. It was
not molested. In contradiction to this
statement, however, II is known that
some Of the alleged bootleggers have
moved from place to place In the city
thus violating the law, even to the
extent Of moving liquor which they
may have had before the law be.
came operative.
General report around City Hal
Saturday and yesterday was that the
grand jury would take no action In
reference to the case OF Detective Der
tucci, who had received a present foi
recovering a diamond ring. and ha6
failed to turn over portion Of 1t tc
the Police Benevolent association. Ir
this connection. however. the Jury may
recommend that the association itself
look into the matter. and take steps
in the case. provided the rules of the
organization have beep disregarded
Detective Bertuccrs contention Is tina,
the case does not come under the rules
OF the association: that tho gift wa,
| present to him personally. and MOI
in the nature Of reward, and tina
the check was made out in favor o.
| his mother, who received the benefit
Police Benevolent Association.
The Police Benevolent association
Il a private organization. and. as such
! does not come under the purview o
1 the grand jury. One Of it's rules 4
that whenever a member receives a re
ward for services rendered. or In sucl
cases where there are standing of
/, fers Of reward. such as the arrest o
deserters, half the amount OF the re
ward IL to be turned over to tn
treasury of the association In thi
particular case this was not done, tn
detective claiming that the reward
l -