The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-09
HES RED BLANKET
POLICE COMMISSION
Wanted the Privilege Of Naming PO-
lice Officers.
WOULD INCREASE THE FORCE
II the Commission Would Enter Into
Such Agreement.
TARKER Sane TONED THE PLAN
He Was Willing for Council to Pay Po-
litical Debt-Bridges Had Resolu-
ton Passed Telling Council
to Mind Its Business
I ARKER Sane TONED THE PLAN

A rather startling disclosure was made
last night at the meeting of the board of
police commissioners regarding a recent
conference with a special committee from
the board of aldermen looking to an in
crease in the police force.
The report was made by Chairman Chiies
of the commission, who stated that the
committee had Acknowledged that more
police We're needed and that the city was
able to stand the expense and that they
offered to grant three men provided the
beard of aldermen be allowed to name one
of the men.
Chiles Turned 1t Down
Chairman Chiles reported that he had re-
fused to enter into such an agreement,
stating at the same time that precedent
had been established whereby supernumer-
aries were advanced and that new officers
were elected from the list of applicants.
He further reported that a motion was
made by Alderman George Ward at the
committee conference to grant the addi-
tional men asked without consideration
which failed to carry.
The report brought Commissioner Bridges
to mis- feet, Who moved that the city coun-
eli be informed that the police commission
had been elected to attend to that particu-
lar branch of the city government and
would not tolerate interference in the man.
asement of it's affairs.
Commissioner Parker was of the opinion
that nothing should be done to antagonize
the board of aldermen and that if they de-
sired to name a good man in order to pos
sibly pay political debt that the commits
sion should be willing to allow them the
privilege.
Commissioner Bridges was again on his
feet and entered an earnest protest against
any such procedure. He stated that he
was willing that the commission stand
upon it's record in the management of the
police affairs of the city with the limited
force at its command, and to say to the
people that no better service could be given
then because the board of aldermen want
ed them to sell their birthright for a
mess of porrdge He desired to place him.
self on record against such a practice and
believed that the people who elected him
would bear him out in the stand he had
taken.
DAILY tins FOlIticai DeDG
Alderman DAILY" he said, "has a politi-
cal debt to pay and is working tooth and
toe-nail to get certain man on the police
force. Personally Syl Daily is friend OF
mine, but will never vote to allow him or
any other alderman to name a single men,
Der of the police force as long as l am a
commissioner
Commissioner Mobley stated that he was
present at the meeting and his under
standing was that the board wanted to
name special officer. He agreed with Mr..
Bridges and seconded a motion made by
that gentleman that. the board be informed
that applicants for positions on the police
force would be considered in regular form
and in no other.
The remainder of the session was devoted
to the tranaction of routine business, Com
missioners Bridger, Stradford, Parker and
Mobley being present when Chairman
Chiles raped for order.
The petition of officer ]. S. Johnston, for
two days pay for lost time on account of
injuries received in the discharge of his
duty, was allowed.
A communication from Chief C. w. Aus
tin asking that the board of mayor and all
dermen be requested to make provisions
for the taking of the photographs of Grim
mails to be used as a rogues gallery, was
read and referred to the mayor.
Commissioner Bridges reported that he
had been approached by certain real es-
tate agent in regard to a proposed order
issued to the keeper of a bowdy house in
the business portion of the city, and de-
sired some information on the subject,
stating that he favored removing all such
places off of public thoroughfares where
ladies were required to pass. Chief Austin
explained the case in question and stated
that the order had been issued on receipt
of petition signed by a number of citi-
zens in the neighborhood of the place, and
that the woman had been given until Octo-
Der to move.
The following partial report of Chief
Austin for the month of June was read
and ordered recorded:
Fines and fees collec ted, 81, 49S.15.
Increase over July. 1895, s733S5.
Number arrested for burglary and grand
larceny, 20; bound over to the criminal
court, IA amount of stolen goods recovered,
$76S; number of arrests made In July, SIS;
man, IS; number of runs made by even
ing mounted man, SC; number of trips made
by Datrol wagon. 81.