Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-04
GRAND JURY HEARS
MAYOR A|NSL|E
Prohibition Commissioner Peters
Testifes as to Whisky I'm
portations. I,
JUDGE RICHARDSON'S CHARGE
Must Go to Bottom of Alleged
Collusion Between Police
and Bootleggers.
JUDGE RICHARDSON'S CHARGE

u.
Hastings Court. delivered an uncom-
promising and emphatic charge that
the jurors delve to the bottom In their
investigation of the Police Depart
ment and after clearing the docket Of
a number OF cases of minor conse-
qucncc the special grand jury Of the
HustinEs Court convened yesterday af
ternoon At 1870 O'Clock to begin a
searching probe of alleged collusion
lice department and persons engaged
in illicit whisky traffic.
The grand jury spent the afternoon
in the examination of witnesses and at
7 o'clock adjourned TO meet at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning. Arthur 3.
Clarke. Of 4o7 East Main Street. fore
man OF the grand jury asked that Com
missioner Of Prohibition ]. Sidney Pc
ters and Policeman F.. A. Frayser. OF
the Second District, be present 20 ap-
pear before the jury. Mr.. Clarke also
requested that Mayor Ainslie be with
in call. so that nc might be summon
cd TO testify before the jury whenever
desired. The presence of Policeman w.
a. Allen. of the Second District. and
one of the siERers of the now we'll
known Allen-Frayser affidavit filed be-
fore the Mayor. was also requested.
However Commemorative Attorney
Wise informed the members Of the
grand jury that Mr.. Alien was out OF
the city on furlough. and that he
had not been located
MAYOR GEORGE AINSLIE
Is TIE FIRST WITNESS
Mayor George Ainslie was the first
witness before the grand jury. He
told the grand jury in detail Of his
recent Investigations leading to the
summary removal OF Chief of Police
Sowcll and his appointment of Captain
c. 4. Sherry as chief. Mayor Aiuslie
remained in the grand jury room for
most OF the afternoon. and 1t is known
that he acquainted the grand jury
with the result of his investigation
and his reasons In being unable to take
more drastic steps. Mayor Ains!ie's
authority over the police force extend
ed merely in tho capacity of police
men. and not as citizens guilty Of Of
tense. For this reason, his hands were
tied in many matters. and he waa
unable TO go into the probe as deep
y Is he desired
NV y. HInHtE eteTS then testified
before the grand jury. Although II
was first announced that he merely ap-
peared n witness in another case
in which violation of the prohibition
law was concerned the request of tie
foreman that he be present to appear
when they reconvened is basis for the
belief that Commissioner Peters i'm
parted some OF his knowledge in re-
= .n No
that Commissioner Peters has been in
close touch with these matters. since
their inception. and has an extensive
knowledGe Of the charges and counter
charges which have flown thick and
fast during the last month In sp:te
of this knowledge. DR. Peters has ken,
his peace and refused to make state
ment or TO take an active hand in the
investigation. although he has been
deeply interested from the beginning
RETIRED ARMY OFFICER
BEFORE GRAND JURY
Colonel G. 4. Dempsey, U. S. A.. re-
tired, now connected with the Office IF
the Adjutant General of Virginia tes
tined before the jury, and for some time
there was quite mystery as TO the
nature OF his testimony. Colonel DENIM
sey lives a 1912 Park Avenue. and i,
was reported that he told the grand
jury of certain visits that had been
paid to house in his neighhorbood
by various members Of the Police De-
partment. Christian II. Clarke con.
nected with the firm of T. w. Wood
N Son. who lives at 1905 Park Avenue
was another witness examined by the
jury yesterday, and it was said tina.
his testimony was along the line OF
The testimony ot Colonel Dempsey.
Numerous other witnesses. whose
names have indirectly been drawn into
tie affair, are expected 10 he sum
moned in few days. However, these
names will not be made public. as IT
is feared that there might be some at
tempt on the part of some who are
wanted to appear before the grand
Jury TO avoid being summoned
Aside from these witnesses none Of
the members of the Police Department
who had been summoned was given
AN opportunity to appear before the
grand jury. although they appeared
bright and early in the morning and
remained in the courtroom until the
grand jury adjourned.
NAME WITNESSES
READY TO TESTIFY
Some of the witnesses summoned to
appear before the grand jury and who
were present in the courtroom YES
terday are as follows: Captain OF De-
tectives y. c. Wright. Sergeant r. B.
Jor'ian, OF the Second District; T. I.
Gentry. CT the signal office: Squire ].
4. PuTd!e, Policeman ]. T. Riddell, Mo-
torcyclc cliceman j. H. Harris Police :
man Charles y. Strain. OF the First
District: NJ. II. Taylor, of the Third
District. W. Il. Clark. Of the Second
District: G. y. Duggins. of the First
District: !. j. Smith, Of the Second Dis
trict; !. G.. Cousins. Of the First Dis
trict; +. a. FrayscI. Of the Second Dis
trict: j.. NJ. Bosquett, of the First
District: Automobile Policeman Archie
Holt; ID. +. Ernest. OF tho Second Dis
trict; former leader Of the purity"
squad Harry T.. Sweet. Detective Ser
CONTINUED on Second Pagc.)