The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-06
GAMBLERS TN
THE LAST DITCH
The New Chief Of Police Says They
Must Go.
TOOK THE OATH LAST NIGHT
And Declared His Policy in Accord
With DFennel.
TOO MUCH GAMBLING GOING ON
Understood They Will Be Granted a
Respite Until After the Mardi
Gras stivities-Crusade
Will Then Begin
TOO MUCH GAMBLING GOING ON

gambling element. Chief Austin called on
Mayor Drennen early yesterday morning
and the pair were in conference for some
time He filed his bond, and yesterday aft
ernoon he was sworn in as the official head
of the police department by Chairman
Chiles of the commission.
Whether Chief Austin and Mayor Drennen
discussed the gambling question could not
be learned, but it is given out by the chief
himself that his views on the question CO.
incide with those Of the new chief execu-
tive 1t is understood that according to the
plan of warfare, the crusade will not begin
until after Mardi Gras. The reason as
signed for this Is that during the confusion
incident to the festivities it will be impos-
sible to bring about any radical changes.
Mayor Drennen has authorized the employ
during Mardi Gras.
In an interview yesterday Chief Austin
said in effect that gambling must go. He
intended that there should be as little vio-
lation of the city laws as possible.
win Run Them Out
"I am heartily in favor of running the
gamblers out of town. said the new
chief land think it would be good
idea for them to get up an excursion
right away. 1 came into the office under
no pledges or obligations, and intend to
see that every violater of the law, no
matter who he is, be summarily dealt
with"
Continuing. Mr.. Austin said that tho
greatest of all vices now existing in Bir-
nningham was gambling.
do you know" he said, that there
are numerous men here engaged in
gambling that would cut your throat
for a few dollars? 1t is not the men
themselves that l particularly object to
running their lives, but it is the numer-
Gus wives and children who sometimes
go hungry and penniless, while the men
who are supposed to be supporting them
are regularly losing their earnings in
some of the gambling dens"
The Sunday Closing Ordinance
In regard to the Sunday closing law as it
applies to clubs the new chief said he had
not sufficiently informed himself yet as to
whether their charters would allow them
to dispense drinks on Sunday.
81 am going to have a watch kept on
them, however, and if any one of the MEM
bers violates the law he will promptly be
put under arrest said he.
There appears to be some question as
to whether the Sunday law applies to
the social clubs Both the Phoenix and
Southern clubs have bar attachments.
The opinion generally expressed is that
they will have to muzzle the drinking
feature on Sunday as well as the places
that run as clubs as a pretext for sun
day selling.
The new board of commissioners are said
to be in accord with the chief in his views,
as we'll as Mayor Drennen. They will give
him all the assistance necessary and within
a few days the departure of the gamblers
will likely commence. The saloons will be
shut up tight, and those who desire drink
on Sunday hereafter will have to provide
themselves with bottle during the pre-
vfous day.
1t was stated yesterday that hereafter
the police department and the sheriff's de-
partment will be worked harmoniously and
there will be no more of the friction. For
some time these two departments have
been at outs.
New Chief Sworn In
The time set for swearing in the new
officers was $50 o'clock last evening, and
Chairman c. C. Chiles of the board of po-
lice commissioners appeared promptly on
time. The ceremony took place in the office
of the chief of police. A few spectators
were present. c. w. Austin was the first
officer sworn in, and took the following
oath:
ST C. w. Austin, chief of police, do
solemnly swear that during my con-
tinuance in the office of chief of police,
will to the best of my skill and ability
faithfully discharge my duties in said s
office and in all cases conform to and
enforce the criminal laws of the state OF
Alabama, and ordinances of the city
of Birmingham, that may come to my
notice, applicable to the police DEPART
ment do further swear that 1 will
not use such office to oppress or shield
anyone, and 1 will safely keep and ac-
count to the board of police commission
ers for all money or property that may
come into my possession. Nor will
be influenced in the discharge of my
duties by fear, favor or affection. re-
ward or the hope thereof. And in all
my acts and doings 1 will be governed
by the ordinances OF the city, the crimi-
nal laws of the state and the public
good. So help me Cod
After the necessary signatures had been
made to the above oath, Chairman Chiles
arose, and, extending his hand to the new
chief, said: "Allow me to congratulate you
on the part of the board of police commits
sioners and the city of Birmingham.
have no doubt but that you will make an
excellent officer" A general Misunderstanding
was then had. and the remaining officers
were sworn in.
The Retiring Chief
Tho retiring chief, T. C. Mcdonald, was
not present at the ceremonies Yesterday
afternoon he spoke gratefully OF the con-
Hdence bestowed upon him by the police
comnission for many years. and the inter-
est manifested by q large majority of the
citizens of Birmingham on several occa-