The age-herald., 1901-05-22
Not Enough Officers to Proper
 Iy Protect the City
CHIEFS ANNUAL REPORT
It Shows That No Similar Force In tho World Does an Equal Amount of Work-Advertise for New
 Uniforms.

commissioners was held at the office of Chief Austin last night for the purpose of arranging for new summer uniforms for the force During the session several other matters were passed, the chief of which was a decision to ask an increase of twenty-five men for the force.
 The commission decided to advertise for bids for making the uniforms, the bids to be opened June 3. A limit of twenty-five days will be fixed as the time In which the uniforms must be delivered.
 For the position of patrol driver, J. H. Mingea was given the unanimous vote of the entire board. The supernumeraries were advanced in their regular order, the election of one other member of the force being found necessary. The chief was in- structed to appoint temporarily man for the position of supernumerary No. f. the election being deferred until full meeting of the board. A committee con- sistng of Chairman MsCary and Com missloners Stratford and Rudolph, was appointed to secure new copies of the rules and regulations of the department.
 Commissioner Rudulph referred to the portion of the report of the chief of police asking for additional men for the force, and suggested that the board take ac- tion with respect to petitioning the board of aldermen to appropriate money for se- curing them. Chairman McCary, Con- missoners Stratford, Rudulph and Scott were appointed to present the matter to the aldermen. Money to pay twenty-five men will be asked for.
 More Men Wanted.
 During the talk that followed the first suggestion of Commissioner Rudulph it was stated that the city's force does more work in every line than the force of any city in the world, considering the num- ber of men employed and the district cov- cred. The last report from Nashville shows the arrest of 9,7g5 men; stolen goods amounting to $8.545.96 were recovered, and fines and fees were collected to the amount of s13977.93. The force includes ninety-five men. The report of Chief Austin shows that 1,0S5 were arrested; recovered stolen property amounted to $9,S2l.20; fines and fees collected, $23, ,137. 40. The report of the chief also shows the department is self sustaining. The record made was with only forty-two men and officers.
 A number of other reports were referred to by Chief Austin in talk about the work of the department and need fo, | more men. All of these reports confirmed and substantiated in a convincing degree the statements of the chief that this city's police force did more work and bet ter work than any other city in the world similar in size
 Officers Must Work DutIfuIIy.
 Dr. Mobley called the attention of the board to a recent robbery on one Of the most prominent streets ef the city in which a show window of the Chalifoux Company was broken and goods stolen. He stated that many citizens wanted to know where the officer of the beat was wanted men to be forced to explain why things of this character occur on their beats. If necessary, he said. prefer charges and bring the officers before the board.
 we must have good service" he con- tfnued, ''and the men must learn that we will punish them for giving any other kind"
 The talk of the commissioner and the position he took was concurred in by other members of the board, and the force will be instructed to expect severe punishment in case of violations or fail- ure to properly do their work
 Officer Hawkins was called before the board and asked to explain testimony he had given in a recent gambling case, where a true bill was found, yet the so- licitor was forced to nol-pross the case. it was said, on account of the failure of the officers to testify positively as to the identity of one prisoner who had been ar rested. The officer explained the matter, and no action was taken in the case.