The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-14
COMMISSION HAS
 IMPORTANT CASES. One Policeman Danced in Sa-
 loon Before Negroes "ONLY MAKING FEW STEPS" Charges Against Detectives 5odeker and Hamilton Were Not Sustained.
 One Policeman Dismissed,
 Another Fined 30 Days.
"ONLY MAKING FEW STEPS"

I was only making lew steps as passed through explained Policeman J. H. Jones last night to the police com mission, when he was placed on the wit ness stand to answer a charge of "danc- ing in a saloone while on duty. before crowd of negroes
 The policeman went on to explain that he was passing through and had nearly reached the front door when he made few steps to a tune being rendered by negro orchestra Captain Johnston stated that he saw the policeman dancing and that crowd of negroes were stand ing around eagerly watching him. Cap- tain Johnson therefore made the charge as he thought it was conduct unbeeoming an officer.
 Bartender Marcus Feibelma and Robert Stubbs, who were in the saloon on bus mess, stated that the policeman was going out of the door when he "cut few steps" On the strength of the evil dence the commission found the police man guilty and ordered him reprimanded.
 Policeman J. ". Meadows was dismissed from the force for being drunk while on duty. He had already rendered his resignation and left the city.
 Policeman E. B. Edmundson pleaded guilty to being under the effects of in- toxicans while on duty. He promised not to do so again. The commission sus- pended him thirty days with the under standing that if he was ever caught talk ing a drink on duty he would be dis missed immediately.
 Not Sustained.
 The cases against Detectives Bodeker and Hamilton, brought by the father of J. H. Phelps and charging arrest without justification, were not sustained. The of ficers showed that they had reasonable grounds for arresting young Phelps, be- lieving that he had pawned a watch which had been stolen from John G. Housman of the Mecca. Tho officers stat ed to the commission that they agreed to mol pros the case in the police court owing to the young mans mental and physical condition, which they did not know at the time of the arrest.
 The case against Policeman Hickman, charged with conduct unbecoming an off, cer, was postponed until some time in January, when the chairman will call meeting.
 Concerning Debts.
 A resolution was offered by Commis- sioner Fles that in the futre all debts contracted by the members of the police department shall be paid for according to scale, so much per month, accord ing to the salary of the officer. The scale specifics that members of the de- partment receiving $60 a month shall pay $lO monthly on any debts contracted; those receiving $65 per month shall pay $1250 and tLose receiving $70 or over shall pay $l5 per month. The resolution also stated that when a monthly payment was not paid the officer was at once suspended until the payment had been made. The resolution was unanimously carried.
 Commissioner Johnson offered resolu- tion that rule 32 of the police rules and regulations should be rigidly enforced in the future The rule provides that any policeman who has been known to be under the influence of intoxicating drink either while on or off active duty shall be dismissed from the force, and also that all members of the force are strictly forbidden from drinking any intoxicat- ing drink while on or off active duty. while wearing part of their uniform. The resolution was unanimously passed.
 Commissioner Johnson was in favor of punishing Policeman Edmundson more severely than the motion called for. but afterwards he introduced the above res- olutton. He explained that the commits sion had been so lenient with the police department that some members were taking advantage of 1t. and that 1t should be stopped and at once.
 The report of Chief wier showed that there were only 694 arrests during the past month and that this was TIT less than the previous month. It is practi caily half of the number which were made every month about year or more ago.