The age-herald., 1900-06-20
CHIEF AUSTIN'S
 ANNUAL REPORT Submitted at Meeting of Police
 Commission. MAKES SPLENDID SHOWING Wants Gambling Made a Felony-Com- missioner Bridges Favors Strin- gent Measures in Enforcing
 Laws-The Proceedings
MAKES SPLENDID SHOWING

The proceedings of last nights meeting of the Police Commission were enlivened by some spicy remarks by Commissioner Bridges in furtherance of his contention for some needed reforms.
 The first annual report of Chief Austin was also submitted, giving review of the work of the department for the year end ing April 30, 1900. A number of recommen- dation were made in the report looking to improvements in the department, some of which were acted upon.
 In the absence of Chairman McCary, the meeting was called to order by Commis- sioner Stradford in the council chamber, with the following members present: Com missioners Bridges Parker and Chiles.
 After the reading of the minutes of the two previous meetings by Desk Sergeant Rowlett, the regular order of business was taken up, and under the head of commun- ications, a complaint was read against Of ficer Fully, charging him with conduct un- becoming an officer. The question of the regularity of the charge was raised, and the matter was referred to the chief for investigation.
 Chairman McCary came in at this june ture and Commissioner Stradford vacated the chair.
 A petition from four patrolmen, setting out that they had been in the service of the department for more than three years at different times and asking to be ad- vanced to the three-year class and their and resulted in the adoption of a resolu a1N, oil yho ho1 hoo bers of the department for three years. whether continuous or not, to the three year class, with its salary benefits.
 Officer J. M. Nix and Officer Ritchie were allowed half pay for time lost by sickness.
 Chairman Stradford of the special com mittee on resolutions, submitted resolu- tions upon the death of Officers Kirkley and Adams which were adopted and or dered spread upon the minutes and copies sent to the families of each of the de- ceased officers.
 The report of Officers Bodeker and Dish eroon, specially detailed, was read and re- ferred
 Commissioner Bridges
 The report of Chief Austin for the year ending April 30, was read, and was given close attention throughout the reading. Commissioner Chiles moved that it be re- ceived and filed for future consideration. This brought Commissioner Bridges to his feet, who offered as a substitute that the report be filed and the recommenda tions of the chief be concurred in.
 In support of his substitute MT. Bridges stated that he favored that the recommen- dations be taken up at once and acted up- on. MT. Bridges made pointed reference to the fact that lewd women were to be seen every evening parading the streets in fancy traps attracting unnecessary atten- tion, and enquired of the chief if there was any law that would prevent the practice. would be to arrest them for vagrancy. MT. Bridges stated that he favored stringent methods and desired to go on record as fa- voring any lawful means that would pro- tect and sustain the morals of the city. He favored petitioning the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to pass an ordinance requir- ing all immoral women to live in a certain section of the city but during the discus sion two of the commissioners left the room and the question of a quorum was raised which brought the meeting to a sudden end.
 During the proceedings Chairman McCary called Commissioner Stradford to the chair and addressed the board in support of the chiefs recommendation regarding the Ber- tillion system. On motion a committee was appointed to present the matter to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and also the county officials.
 An appropriation was also asked for new badges.