The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-25
SIX OFFICERS INDICTED
Charges Also Brought
Against Former Mem
bers Of Force.
AINSLIE IS SILENT
Chief Record Is Sharp
ly Scored-Captain
Pollock Is Also
Criticised.
AINSLIE IS SILENT

The grand jury. delegated with the !
duty OF inquiring into the alleged
connection between the police depart
ment and the bootleggers in Rich |
mond. yesterday afternoon, shortly
after O'Clock, before an audience
that was almost dramatic In It's seri-
GUS attention. handed in its report. |
accom- pa MED by a dozen tndictm ents,
six OF them being against members
OF the police force
The report was most couprehen-
sive. showing close. careful inquiry
into every phase of the question put
TO the jury. Besides returning twelve
true bills of indictment. the jury
makes many recommendations, which
will be heard from in the near future.
The mayor rs severely criticized for
his apparent weakness In handling
matters pertaining to the conduct of
the police department, and the report
goes so far as TO say that Mayor
Ainslie lacks those qualities which are
requisite for the proper management
of that department"
Recommends Sherry's Removal.
The jury recommends the removal
OF Chief G A. Sherry for the good
OF the department. citing as its rea-
sons that while he was captain In the
First district that district was noted
! for the great amount of lawlessness
existing there, and that his lack OF
efficiency was apparent.
| The removal of Captain George E
! Pollock is recommended on the
grounds Of alleged intemperance and
! conduct unbecomiug an officer, and
/ Detective Louis Bertucci is recon-
mended for dismissal from the force
on the allegation that he frequented
gam bling houses.
A most interesting section Of the
report Is that in reference 10 the re-
/ intstatement of former Chief Sowell,
and that he be made captain-
This La more Interesting because to-
day the furlough given the former
chief when he was removed from of
Zee nv the mayor, expires, and Sowell
has stated that ne would retire from
I the force and not remain a a mem
her of the department, under the cir
,cumstances He has always contend
ed that the treatment given him by
the mayor was entirely too harsh, and
that he should have been given a
hearing.
when Foreman Clarke he'd finished
reading the report. Clerk Walter
christian read the indictments.
Indict Six Policemen.
The list embraced the names OF six
members of the force, three ex-naen-
hers. a special officer of the Chesa-
pGAkN ana ONO TAliFpduy
the occupant of the now famous
Prices farm" In Henrico county.
and a man recently arrested for taking
drink in a public place. sent on
from the police court.
The names OF three Of the indicted
policemen were placed on the list
| rs the result of testimony given by
Harry AdalAnski. who stated that he
had carried them. in company with
Price, to the latter's farm In hts auto
mobile, and that large quantity Of
! LIQUOR was divided between the men.
! The remaining Indictments were
found mainly from evidence sub
lmitted by Ben Jacobs, which. how
ever. had been corroborated by other
witnesses
Al the conclusion, Mr.. Clarke asked
tho jury be discharged from fur
Their service at this time.
H Judge Richardson thanked the
| members Of the jury, and took occa'
ision to compliment them on theil
earnest efforts. He said that he tel.
certain the result of their work wouid
be accepted by the public as It wa
by the court. as that coming from
sincere and conscientious inquiry.
II When the clerk had completed the
reading Of the indictments, the tndg'
directed the sergeant to issue capia
In each case for the indicted men ant
have them returnable at once. Th'
members OF the force who were indict
ed stand automatically suspended
until their cases have been tried
II II have no doubt tho mayor will 7e'
THAT the men are suspended pendins
their hearing" said Judge Richard
son.
Fl These men embrace Policemen, Bos
Il quett. Bolton, Cousins, King, kidd
and RidEeway. Waller Is out OF III
/ -. L.
itby the Richmond. Fredericksbur,
and Potomac Railroad company. an,
II Deskins, It 10 said: is out of the city
II Accused Men VIII Fight.
H 1t is understood. OF course. even b.
lmembers Of the grand jury, that Al
Indictment does not always mean con
viction. II Ia harder to convict ma
i CONTINUED on Second PagD