The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-16
MORE POLICEMEN
 FOR BIRMINGHAM
Persons in Authority Point Out
 a Pressing Need.
THE FORGE INADEQUATE
Chief of Police Wler, Judge Feaaln and Commissioner Parker Favor increasing the Force-Mayor
 Says City Can't Afford 1t.

Is the present police force Of Birmlng- ham adequate to the area and population of the city?
 That is the question that is now inter- esting the general public, as well as persons charged with enforcing the law.
 Chief of Police Wier. Judge Feagin of the inferior criminal court and Thomas F. Parker, chairman of the police com mission, agree that the present force is inadequate.
 Mayor Drennen says that no matter whether the force is sufficiently large or not the finances of the city do not jus tify an increase in the force at this time.
 The Mayor Talks.
 Here is what the Mayor said yester- day in commenting on the subject:
 "It is unnecessary for me to say at this time whether or not the police force in Birmingham is adequate.
 "The fact of the matter Is that the finances of the city do not now justify us in increasing the force to 100 men.
 "The citys revenues are sufficient to pay it's expenses under existing condi- tions.
  men, there would be a deficit in the city treasury That is all I have to say on the subject at this time." Chief Wier. Chief of Police Wier said:
 This subject of the inadequacy of the police force has come up before The police commission, when the question was agitated not long ago, recommended that the force be increased from fifty to one hundred men. It was increased from fifty to sixty-five men. I think we should be given the remaining thirty-fve asked for at that time. Our population is con stantly growing, and our area Is very large. We are required to exercise juris- diction within the three-mile limit outside the city boundaries. This places us to disadvantage. One policeman now has to look after two blocks in the business section. I think we ought to have policeman for every block in the business section. We need also more policemen in the residential sections. I favor in- creasing the force to one hundred men if it be possible to do so.'
 Judge Feagn.
 Judge Feagin said:
 Birmingham in some respects is diff ferent from any other city in the south. It is young in years, progressive, with constantly increasing population drawn from all sections of the country and from many foreign countries. It is the recreation and trading center of a large outlying vicinity. It is the great urban center of the state in which the negroes tend to congregate and to which also undesirable persons who live by their wits are attracted.
 "All these conditions tend to make it necessary for us to increase our police force. The force has not grown propor- tionately with the growth of the city. We should recognize this fact and reckon with it promptly and wisely. I would like to see the police force increased so that the whole city would be satisfactorily policed."
 Chairman Parker.
 Thomas F. Parker said:
 ''The police force is, in my judgment, insufficient for the needs of the city. The increasing business of Birmingham requires that the police force be en- larged. I think -the detective force espe- ciaIly should be increased and strength ened. If we had more detectives they would relieve the situation. "The residence section ought to be pa-
 He'd more thoroughly than it is at
 esent. The police commissioners are considering the subject in all it's phases"