The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-07-21

nenL.
The dog bit the officer on the leg near
the knee and also through the thumb.
man Fred A. Fulghum of the Sixth ward
and Alderman b. II. Cooper of the Fifth
ward.
The members of the Joint committee
were seated at two long tables. Chairman
ONeill occupied the mayors desk.
After the roll call of the witnesses P.
G. Bowman, an attorney at law, asked
that A. A. Gambill, license inspector and
street tax collector be enrolled as a wit
ness Mr.. Gambill was present In the
chamber at the time the request was
made.
City Attorney Edward d. Smith and
Capt. Frank S. White appeared as counsel
for the city government.
A suggestion offered by Attorney Bow
man that the witness be put under the
rule was carried. The witness then left
the chamber.
City Attorney Smith suggested that all
of the witnesses be sworn. Alderman
Moore asked by what right the committee
bouid SWcdi tht WiintSoecs HO city
Attorney stated that he did not know of
any such authority vested in the COM
mittee. The matter was then dropped.
Thomas f. Parker, chairman of the
Police Commission, was present at the
meeting. While Captain Johnston was on
the stand he asked to be allowed to ques-
ton the officer simply with reference to
Patrolmen Thompson and Walker which
request was granted.
In reply to hts question Captain john
ston stated that when these two officers
were transferred, the request was made
by the chairman that two other reliable
men be detailed on the beat
Policeman Thompson.
Policeman w. ]. Thompson was the
first witness called. He testified:
Have visited Rabbit Foot saloon often
during the past few months Saw men
and women drinking there Probably 100
were negroes of bad character. l always
visited the place at night. More negroes
were at the place than any other saloon
in Birmingham. When I visited the place
some of them would make an effort to
get away.
Il found Mr. Phillips In the place. He
evidently seemed to be in charge. The
first time we were therein Apr.l--he
asked us what we were during there. He
said that we had no e. d. business
there. He told us to stay on our own beat
We went to the place the first time to
get a negro. We're sent there by Captain
Johnston and Lieutenant Eagan.
Minors and FOUNDERS lie around the
place. l was never told not to visit the
place. Captain Johnston told us to go over
ON southside beat. Don't think that we
we're transferred form the beat on account
of the Rabbit Foot saloon.
police Commissioner Phillips told us
to keep away from the saloon. We told
him that we did not want to hinder him.
On account of his position as a police
commissioner we did not arrest him.
cross-Examinatlon
On oss-examination Thompson said:
"officer Walker went with me the first
Mr. Phillips was there every time. treat
ed him as a gentleman because he was
my boss We only made one arrest in
the saloon Negro thieves and vagranti
hang ont, in the saloon. We have a negro
In iail now who spent much of his time
In the saloon.
.orha first time we went in the place
we drew our revolvers."
"That's enough TO make any one run,
,s II not?p asked Attorney Bowman.
eyes. sir. Especially negroes"
OF would make you run, would it
not?v
81 don't think So"
etts cussed YOU out and you did not
arrest bim?"
"rJe .cussed' at me-"
"And YOU did not arrest him?''
mo. sir,
.Recause he was your boss?'
yes,
,.,,, A,n