The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-19
A LATE PRIMARY
is IN GREAT FAVOR
Probable Candidates for City
Offices in No Hurry
MAYOR WARD is RE TICENT
Efforts to Abolish the Police Commits
sion-city Council Is Committed
to Doing Away With
Commission.

Hardly will the echoes of the guberna-
torial and the county campaigns die away,
before the municipal office-seelzers will
be in evidence.
While it seems probable that the pri-
mary for the nomination of city officials
will be as late as March. it is thought
to be a safe prediction that the campaign
ers will be making themselves heard and
their whereabouts known. before many
more weeks have passed.
PENDING legislative action on the matter
of abolishing the police commission it is
a certainty that the city executive COM
mittee will not order an early primary.
The City Council is determined in its
stand against the police commission.
Mayor Ward when questioned yesterday
afternoon stated positively that the city's
purpose of striving for the abolition of the
commission was steadfast, and that the
matter would be pushed in the legisla-
ture. While no direct statement from the
legislative nominees from jefferson has
PNNAi AiAeRduf NApe6 AAAASA tolto III lilC piOpO-
sition believe that the jefferson delesa-
ton will vote to abolish the commission.
Waiting on Legislature.
Those favoring late primary contend
that the decision of the legislature in
this matter should be made before the
names of candidates for the commission
are printed on the official ballot They
argue that 1t would be folly to vote for
such candidates, before it is known
whether or not that body will have an
existence throughout another term.
The City Council in its stand against
the commission, wishes to transfer the
authority vested in that body to the
in the chief of police being elected by the
council, as is the chief II the fire depart
ment and other officials. This would re-
suit also In giving the chief of police
additional power over his force. If the
legislature makes the change the chief
could order the suspension or dismissal
of an officer against whom a charge is
established and sustained.
Gossip anent municipal politics centers
Ill Tie pTODdDlt CduuludltS lOT Tile OlllCb
of Mayor. and the race for chief of po-
lice
In connection with the next mayoraJty
election rumor has 1t that several pros
pective candidates are awaiting the deter
mination of the present Mayor. 1t Is be-
lieved in municipal circles that in case
Mayor Ward sees fit to offer for another
he mill box
May Be Forced to Run.
Concerning the probability of the Mayor
entering the race there is much discussion,
some contending that he will retire. and
others that he will practically be forced
to accept another term. The Mayor, him
self. will make no statement concerning
the matter further than that he has not
made up his pind.
In case Mayor Ward does not desire
denomination political gossip has 1t that
several members of the present alder
manic board will be ready for a tilt for
the Mayors chair. Among those mentioned
are John r. Copeland, C. C. Heidi, John
W. O'Nell, John C. Forney, B. II. Cope
land and others.
1t is generally accepted as true that
none of the above will oppose Mayor
Ward in case he asks for another term.
Chief of Police.
Gossip in connection with the race for
chief of police centers about William e.
Wier, the present chief. George H. Bode-
ker, at present a well known and popular
detective on the force; ]. b. Morson, for
mer captain of Troop d, A. N. G., and
Thomas L. Perkenson, at present mem
Der of the police force, are candidates.
Chief Wier, for various reasons, among
them being a doubt as to whether or not
the police commission will be continued
In force, favors the idea of late pri-
mary and it is understood that Detective
Bodeker is also in favor of bringing the
matter to test at a later date.
Thus 1t is seen that the entire mat
ter of municipal politics is at present in
an embryonic state.