Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-06
JURY DIGS DEEPLY
IN POLICE SCANDAL
Sensational Disclosures Reported
to Have Been Made by
Ben Jacobs.
WILL CALL MANY WITNESSES
Former Policeman Sweet De-
clares He Will Make Clean
Breast Of Everything.
WILL CALL MANY WITNESSES

As result of the testimony of Bcn
Jacobs. one of the participants of the
Jacobs Price fight. which was sched-
uled to be tried in the Police Court
yesterday morning. before the grand
jury for more than two hours and one
half at tho end of which time he was
ordered to return this morning at 10
O'Clock. and the announcement of lIar-
ry +. Sweet. former leader OF :he
purity" squad. that nc was going Lc-
fore the grand jury and make clean
breast of everything he knew. which
would probably he conclusive evidence
against several people, interest in ,he
police scandal has reached a tension
heretofore unknown in Richmond
All eyes are turned on the action and
future developments Of the grand jury
II Is well-nigh impossible to obtain n
complete or authoritative statement
from witnesses of their testimony be-
fore the grand jury. as ALL are caution
ed TO keep mum" The acton OF
Judge d. C. Richa r,,son. Of the Hus,-
ings Court. and Commemorative At
torney Wise in presenting the cas-. Of
the Jtcobs-Price fight 10 the grand
jury over the head OF the Police Court
has stimulated and quickened public
interest in the progress OF the police
investigation.
JACOBS LAYS BARE ALL
INFORMATION HE POSSESSES
1t WAS reported that this action of
Commonwcalth's Attorney Wise was
prompted because OF his belief t,.at
the case would be sent on 10 the Hust
ings Court even after being tried I'm
numerous continuances he decided TO
present 1t to the grand jury wit.:o,,
further delay. 1t is said :hat he had
become aware that there wa. consjd
cradle "s;alling" by counsel for both
Defendants
There is much speculation as TO the
testimony of Zen Jacobs and it's direct
bearing upon the police scandal "Ho,v
far did he 80 and what did he tclI?"
Is the question of all who havc been
/, !oi'cw.ng the progress of the iurcst,-
gallon II is authoritatively known
although Jacobs was cautioned by The
sfahn jury 10 keep absolutely ou.et
IN regard 20 his testimony, that he
mas iaid bare all his information in
regard to alleged coiiusion between
members OF the Police Department and
an organized bootleg garG OPERATING
~ will in the city.
ATTORNEYS ROLD CONFEREScE
WITH FORMER POLICEMAN
The confinement of Ben Jacobs fer
more than two hours before the grand
Jury ana The earnest conference Tor
more ;han an hour between Harry T.
sweet and Commemorative Attorney
wise and Attorney Edward Dunford
star. came like bombshc!l IN The
ranks Of those who had predicted ~,
the probe would result in !: fiasco and
That IL would he productive of M -.
suits. Sweet. although reticent in re-
gard to the information which ~. e.
prepared 10 diyulge TO the grand irrv
admitted that he had made a st,ta
ment before Mr.. Wise and Mr. Dun
iord' However. he added that this
statement was only half. and that be
ihteno.d 10 add the remainder TODAY
II Ben Jacobs told everything thar
ne knew and was able to furnish Tho
grand jury with proofs which he has
IN ms possession. according to REPORTS
ana II Sweet is ready to tell all maj
ne KNOWS. then il is n foreeone CON
ciusion that sensational results will
De matter OF only a few DAYS. This
Is the consensus of opinion of thosa
VINO are in position to know Sw.ot
yesterday said that there are nu,-
oer OF crooks" in this city in,im.
ing that some OF them are in the police
department. who would like to get him
CUT OF the way. But he reiterated his
former statements that he was nrs
pared to defend himself and that he
mad no fear of the outcome
COURT INsTHUCTS GRAND JURY
81 NAY USE CUSTER LAW
.At go o'clock yesterday afternoon
the grand jury had examined Commits
sioner OF Prohibition Peters. his as.
sistant. Mr.. Dunford. and Police Ser
seant r. B. Jordan. of the Second Dis
'r'ct' Later Policemen Allen and FRAY
ser were called on to testify. This is
the second time that Commissioner
leters has been on the stand. and II
IS known that the information which
ne impaired TO the grand iury will be
OIL great Importance when action is
taken. 80
After the jurors had reconvened YES
'eroaS morning At 10 O'clock, following
one-day recess. Judge Richardson
'o!d the members OF the jury that he
wlshed to supplement- his first charge
Whlch had been delivered to them.
ms charge came as shock to the
large number Of people crowding the
courtroom.
In calling to their attention the nro-
VISIONS or the custer law. Judge Rich
ardson said:
want 10 say that II, in Your in
HestiEation OF this matter, YOU have
sufficient evidence to warrant an in
dictment. report il to the Common
wealth's Attorney. But want to
bring to your attention an act of the
General Assembly Of 1916" The Judge
then read to the jury the custer law
which provides for the removal from
Office Of any State officer, except those
subject to removal by tho Legislature.
who shall fail to enforce any penal
statute or become drunk.
The court further said: "You have
the authority to investigate the con-
duct of any officer of the city of
Richmond. and IL YOU find any of them
Continued on Fourth Page)