The age-herald., 1900-08-15
DEVELOPED INTO
 LIVELY SESSION Last Nights Meeting of the Po-
 lice Commission.
PART OF MINUTES HELD UP"
Commissioners Would Not Approve Chairman McCary's Ruling on Tie Vote Question-Other Matters
 Provoke Discussions

into lively session. Animated and at times heated discussions were indulged in by the members, and some personal feeling was aroused.
 The part of the minutes recording the ruling of the chairman on the question of petitioning the Legislature to make gam bling a felony and other proposed reforms were held up or not approved, pending a further investigation of the question of the right of the chairman to cast two votes
 Chief Austin was called upon to explain the alleged giving out of executive session proceedings; the shirtwaist question was compromised by allowing the patromen to wear lighter ocats and hats, and several other important matters considered.
 The meeting was called to order by Chairman McCary at s:30 o'clock, with the following members present. Commissioners Bridges, Stradford, Norton, Chiles and Fares.
 The minutes of the last meeting were read by Desk Sergeant Rowlett, at the conclusion of which Commissioner Chiles moved that the sections recording the chairman's ruling involving the double vete' question be changed to show that the resolutions were lost instead of carried. Chairman McCary took the floor and ex- plained that there desire on his part to override the will of the commits sion, and that he had ruled according to what he thought was right. A discussion, participated in by Commissioners Bridges, Chiles and other members, followed, after which a motion that the part of the min uteS referred to. be not approved was carried. Commissioner Bridges gave notice that he would call the question up at the next meeting.
 Want Open Bids A petition, signed by Q large number of patrolmen, requesting the board to accept bids from outside as we'll as local tailors for furnishing winter uniforms, brought forth some lively remarks from Commits sioner Bridges, who contended that the local tailors were entitled to the business. The petition set forth that the uniforms could be bought cheaper from the outside tai1ors and that the uniforms furnished by local tailors were not made in the city, but were ordered from other cities, and that the middle mans profit could be saved. Commissioner Norton moved that the pe- tftfon be allowed, but the point was rais- ed by Commissioner Chiles that bids had already been asked for under a resolution of the board which were limited to local tailors.
 Commissioner Bridges opposed the peti- tlon, urging in support of his position that the local tailors contributed to the salary Of the police, and were entitled to more consideration.
 On motion of Commissioner Stradford the bids already asked for will be received, and if found excessive the matter will be again taken up.
 The presentation of accounts against certain members of the force provoked an- other discussion, in which the question of the Jurisdiction of the board under a for mer resolution was raised, the matter be- ing finally satisfactorily disposed of. Commissioner Stradford, of the special committee to urge an appropriation from the Board of Revenue towards the estab- lishment of the Bertilon system, reported that for good reasons he had deferred ton until the new board took charge.
 Commissioner Parker of the special com- mittee to examine into the chiefs annual report and to compare it with previous re- ports, submitted report, with the follow ing comparative statement:
 ray roll, lS9s-lSb9 ............ $sO l24 46 Other expenses .......... 4,670,S9
 Total ... ....... ....... ....... .s34, 795. .35 Prison expenses '...'.'. ....-.''..... .so'Se9oo Pay roll, 1S991900 ......... $34, 051 09 Other expenses ...... ................. 5,31752
 lotdl .....ss..s..s.. COG. .9o5, fzfOl Prison expenses .$9, S61.54
 The report was discussed and on motion of Commissioner Bridges the chief was given the privilege of showing how the in- creased expense had been made.
 During the discussion some personal re- marks were indulged in by Commissioners Norton and Parker.
 Chief Austin's Report
 Chief Austins report for July was then submitted as follows:
 BIRMINGHAM, Ala, August IA, 1900. To the Honorable Board of Police Com-
 missioners:
 Gentlemen-I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the Police Depart ment for the month of July, 1900: To amount of fines and fees collected To amount of fines and fees col 1ected ........ .......... ............ $20o4.50 Increase over JuIy 1898 .....,..., 4S1 8 Value of stolen property recovered 19S3.S Arrested for burglary and grand
 larceny 70 Bound over to the criminal court 17 Total number of arrests 9S5 Trips made by the morning mount
 ed man .................. ............ lzo Trips made by the evening mount
 ed man ............ ........-..-....... l4z Calls answered by the patrol wa
 gon ........ ........ ........ ........ Zoo
 Respectfully submitted,
 c. W. AUSTIN,
 Chief of Police.
 Hinder the head of new business, Chair man McCary was called upon to submit his shrtwaist proposition, which was disposed of by the adoption of a resolution offered by Commissioner Chiles, allowing the patrolmen to wear lightweight dark col cred coats and hats during the remainder of the heated term.
 The question of allowing d reward for the arrest of burglar under a standing offer made by Earl, Terrell & Co. brought on another discussion, in which Commissioner Bridges registered an objection to such a practice contending that the merchant who offered the reward would receive more protection than the merchant who did not.
 Commissioner Stradford stated that his experience had convinced him that under certain conditions the practice was detri- mental to the service, but did not think an ironclad rule should be established.
 Commissioner Bridges voted to allow the reward, but moved that in the future all standing rewards be paid into the city treasury. The motion was tabled
 A motion was then made by Commission CT Chiles that the chief make a recom-