The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-14
URGE THAT POLICE
 POWER BE GRAN TED
Mayor Ward Explains Duties of
 Fire Inspector
AN IMPORTANT POSITION
Chief Executive Surprised That Police Commission Did Not Comply With Request That Austin Be Vested
 With Police Authority.

Will the police commission confer police power on c. W. Austin, recently elected fire inspector?
 At the meeting of the police commission Tuesday night communication was read from Mayor Ward in which he asked that police power be conferred on MT. Austin
 The commission deferred action at the request of Chairman Parker, pending an investigation of the matter. The commits sion desires to ascertain whether or not MT. Austin is paid salary by the city and all information pertaining to his duties.
 The fact that the commission did not acquisce in the desire of the Mayor was surprise to that official as shown by the following statement made by the chief executive yesterday:
 "The council is surprised at the action of the police commission in not comforting police power on Fire Inspector Aus s.,. This office was created at the couAcll meeting December 6, and MT. Austin vas unanimously chosen to fill the place. He is an official of the city of Birmingham. citation. His time belongs entirely to the city. He is subject alone to the city s orders. His duty Is to enforce all city ordinances which have reference to fire risks. He cannot do this without author : ity to make arrests and inspections.
 Where his pay comes from does not concern the police commission any more than where the city's revenue Is secu ed.
 q am sure that Chairman Parker does not understand the situation, and when he investigates more fully he will with draw his objections
 To Improve Situation.
 '"rhe city council and citizens at large and the Southeastern Tariff association are all determined to improve the fire situation in the city of Birmingham and are all harmoniously striving to that end.
 ''This office of fire inspector and the proper maintenance is of vital importance to this movement, and 1t Is hoped that the police commission will join in and help, instead of throwing obstacles in the way.
 AS a matter of fact number of cor porations and other business houses have employees vested with police power in the shape of private watchmen, who are not on fhe city's payroll. The power was con ferred on them by the police commission without objection.
 Other Views.
 D. M. Drennen, member of the citi- zens committee, who conferred with in- surance representatives concerning the fire situation here, was seen In reference to the matter. He said:
 "The office of fire inspector will be use less, unless the inspector possesses po- lice power. He must have authority to de- mand compliance with all fire ordinances. He can only do this by being empowered with police authority
 "I believe that the fire inspector will prove one of the most important offices in the city, especially when the business and insurance interests are considered.
 "The ability of Mr. Austin l do not think can be questioned. If he Is satisfac- tory to the business men, the mayor the council and insurance people, and they desire that he should be invested with police power. l do not see why the com mission should object"
 Alderman John w. O'Neill expressed surprise at the action of the police com mission.
 'When I read in The Age-Herald that the police commission had deferred action on the mayors request I was greatly surprised" said MT. O'Neill. q most heartily favor police power being vested in the fire inspector.
 xx,l.a I 1at arand a c if the commission misunderstands the sit uation. There is no desire on the part of MT. Austin to do regular police duty. He simply desires to be vested with power to enforce fire ordinances and to make in- spections. This is my view of the situa- tion, and I think the power asked for should be conferred.