Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-30
MAYOR A|NsL|E REPLIES
TO THE GRAND JURY
Issues Statement Defending His
Course In Regard to Police
Department.
WHY HE REMOVED sowELL
No Part Of His Duty to SIeuth
Around Trying to Catch Bootleg
gers. He Says-Chief In Charge of
Discipline Of Force.

gers. tic SaSS-Snle1 III charge Oh
Discipline Of Force.
Replying to the criticism OF the
special grand jury of the Hastings
Court directed at him for his manage
ment OF the Police Department. Mayor
George AtnslIe yesterday issued a
statement in which no declared that
the City Charter placed him only over
the Chief of Police and that he was not
generally in charge of the department..
He called attention to the changed
conditions In Richmond as result. Of
the massing Of soldiers near here, and
resented the charge that this city is
degenerate with vice, gambling and
boolegging.
The Mayors formal statement is as
follows:
The report of the grand jury recently
made contains comment upon me to the
effect that:
: "ln the opinion OF the Jury Mayor
-anslie has not shown discreet judg-
ment in the management of the Police
Department nor in the appointment of
the present chief. Mayor -Aipsle lacks
those qualities requisite for the proper
management Of the department."
So far as have been able to gather
from the report, or otherwise, this
somewhat sweeping criticism was
based upon the removal of Chief Sowell,
and the appointment of Chief Sherry.
My inhrmty, in the opinion of the
grand jury. which went far aheld in
making its comment upon me. was
shown by those single acts. unless it
is 10 be inferred from the retention
happen That Richmond editors agree.
but they all expressed approval OF the
removal OF Sowel!.
The grand jury characterized his Of
Tense a s "a comparatively slight indis-
cretion." and his removal as drastic
and unwarranted." Then. why didn't
the jury recommend his reinstatement
as chief? The Sigh, ind!scretion. which
he admitted. consisted in Immediately
telling a suspected policeman of tho
statements made abcu, him. that he
had hauled whisky in a city car, to-
gether with the name OF the man who
made them, and also in warning him
that he was going 10 Re watched. I.
that is slight indiscretion" in a
chief Of police, VIVA, would be grave
one:
REVIEWS RECORDS OF
SHERRY AND POLLOCK
As 10 ihe appointment OF Sherry i,
has been asked why didn't know what
vas ,old the grand jury about him,
Ny ansHe! IS that the persons who en-
nghlsned the jury abou, sherry had
never Eiyea ne ;he benefit Of thei.
statements and opinions. Moreover.
Sser-y was police captain from June
!, ISIS. - Nay -. 1915
During tina: period CHE. Verne. was
Chief Of Police Until. his death. January
Is, 1915, and Chiet SoweM from tina,
date 10 May - 1915. They were IN
immediate charge and control of all
captains and other police. They met
The captains in frequent conferences.
Their on? business vas 20 know their
ofncers and men. 10 see that their
duties were performed, and 10 denote
Or dismiss them for the good OF the
service II they were not giving salts
factory service.
The Chief OF Police has no other du-
ties He Is the officer who is by law
responsible 10 the Mayor for the dis
cipiine and efficiency of the force"
Neither Chief Werner nor Chief Sowcll
ever SO much as limited TO me that they
ever suspected sherry of being derelict
or hesitant in the performance of his
duties, or that he WAS under any i'm
proper influence. Certainly they both
kept him as capita ifS-of hisuistrict when
either could have REDUCED him in rank
at any moment
P0LLOCK's DUTIES ARE
WHOLLY CLERICAL
captain Pollock has been clerk and
secretary or the department for nearly
SIXTEEN years. His duties are wholly
N'er'Sai' Two years ago he was made
purchasing agent by charter amend
h'eht. he had 10 be made member of
the force to obtain his services. there
being no other way in which he could
De employed. but he never did a davs
ponce duty 20 my knowledge never
saw MIN IN uniform, and doubt ~ he
has one no
no Is an expert photographer. clerk
ana bookkeeper, and is the paymas,er
"l me force. He has handled millions
OF a'ilars OF public funds without tho
loss or displacement of a penny. He
was repeatedly elected to his posi,ior
"ithout opposition because OF his chi
clehcy. have been in his office nrac
'ically every day and ] never saw him
mere or elsewhere when lie appeared 10
pe u"oeF he infuence of liquor, nor
N'' 'r''''' VI oIiSe or Otner DOllCe-
man ever made report or statement IN
me TO that effect
AS was very familiar with the arru
ments made against The old charter nro-
Visions under which the board OF uolirs
commissioners managed the department
IN detail! not only IN its fiscal aY,irs
nut IN the appointment Of members ~
me force the promotion. demotion. nun
ishment, dismissal, ana even the ae-
Sisnments OF policemen was veu
aware mat the changes In The charter
were deliberately made and thar ,hey
plainly EXPRESSED the intention greatly
10 enlarge the powers OF the chief n
police by giving him the direc, au,hor
ity over the members Of the force for
merly had by the board
CHIEF RESPONSIBLE FOR
DISCIPLINE OF FORCE:
The charter provides thar ",ho
chief OF Police shall be responsible. 10
the Mayor for the discipline and en-
cheney OF the force" and in ordAr -.
shoulder that responsibility the chisr
was given the widest powers Of an,
pointment promotion. demotion 800
other punishments. including dismissaIs
when the same shall he. in the ind.
mont OF the chief OF Police. for m.
good of the service"
Ny conception of The nrco.r ~.