The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-23
New Board VIII be Very Strict
 About Breaches of Discipline 
WILL DISMISS ALL MEN
 WHO ARE CAUGHT DRINKING
First Policeman Tried By the New Commission for Being Drunk Was Dismissed From the Force.
 Other Trials Held.

DlSmi5Sed From tUc FoiSSs
 Other Trials Held.
 Judging from the first trials held by the new police commission, it has inaugural ed new policy. in that every policeman who violates the rules and regulations of the department will be severely dealt with. The indications are that in all cases of drunkenness policemen will be dismissed from the force, as every com missioner present last night stated that he was in favor of taking that action.
 The first case of absolute dismissal In many months took place last night when Policeman M L. Broom was tried on a charge of drunkenness. He admitted talk Ing two or three drinks of whisky and then firing his pistol while on an Avon dale street car. As soon as the testimony was in Commissioner Donohue moved that Broom be dismissed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Johnston r Commissioner Mccary offered an amend ment that Broom be suspended for thirty days, beginning with last night, and his motion was seconded by Commissioners Pies. On the vote on the amendment Donohue, Phillips, Parker and Johnston voted no and Fies and McCary voted aye The amendment was lost, and on the original motion the vote was Parker, Donohue, Johnston and Phillips to dis miss and McCary and Fles not to dis miss. The two latter stated that they did not wish to deal more severely witt Broom than other policemen had been dealt with In the past. and that In the future they would be for dismissing any policeman guilty of drinking on duty or getting drunk.
 The charges against Policeman Broom were filed by J. M. Mealing of Avondale, and set forth that the policeman boarded a car at Avondale on the afternoon of April IA and seemed to be drunk. Later he fired his pistol twice in a reckless manner. The section of the police rules and regulations violated was 91. which covers nearly all breaches of discipline.
 The Testimony.
 On the stand MT Meaiing testified that Policeman Broom was standing on the rear platform and playing with revol- yer. He asked the policeman not to point it in his direction and was answered in an insulting manner. He then saw that the policeman was under the effects of in- toxicants and not In condition to be ar gued with. He heard the policeman and conductor have some words and turned to see what was the matter, and witnessed the shooting of the pistol twice. He then filed the charges against the policeman.
 Conductor F.. L. Lawrence, who was in charge of the Avondale car on which the trouble occurred stated that he went to the back platform after collecting fares on the inside of the car and that Policeman Broom was standing there playing with pistol He said to the po- liceman:
 My friend, that will never do." Where upon the policeman pulled another pistol from his pocket and said that he guessed that one would do. The conductor then testified that he did not have any more words with the policeman, but saw him fire two shots into the woods.
 Policeman Broom testified that he had taken two or three drinks with man and then went to Avondale to find a wit ness On his way back he had fired his pistol twice, and had some words with Mr Mealing He did not remember what he said. He stated that he had fired his pistol while on a street car several times in the past and nothing had ever been said about it.
 The evidence was then closed and the policeman was dismissed After the mo- ton was made to dismiss Broom, Com missioners Johnston and Donohue said that they thought the case very serious one and that they thought all police men guilty Of drinking while on duty. or getting drunk off duty, should be dis missed