The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-09


ments for his entertainment as planned
would necessarily be held in abeyance
| until such in formation could be obtained.
Mayor who is not competent, they should
| be- made to suffer until the next election
If would teach them to be careful in
selecting their officials.
Robert Jemison-All l have to say is l
favor taking the police fore entirely out
of politics.
G.. II. Estes-O | would like TO see
the police force under the actual controi
of the Mayor and Aldermen. (2) Yes
c0 am strongly in favor of making
the Mayor and Aldermen responsible for
all departments of city government.
w p. G. Harding-In answer to ques-
lions % and CD | would be in favor OF
having an act passed providing that the
Mavor be ex-officio chairman of the Po-
lice Commission, the remaining members
to he appointed by the governor. be-
lieve in comforting as full authority upon
the executive of any municipality as ~
CONSTANT with the interests of those con-
cerped. I do not believe in supreme
one man power, but believe the RESPONSE
h,a head should be the dominant force,
subject, however, at all times 10 MS con
stituted advisors, In the case Oh pubic
officials. If the Mayor were, by reason
of his office. chairman of the Police Com
mission he would be in a better position
to command the respect and obedience or
tho nolice force, but would be curbed by
other members, in case he sought 10 use
his authority for unworthy ends.
Robert Jemson. Jr.-I think either sys-
tenn is good If the persons in authority
would do their duty.
M p Messer-I favor a Police Commits
sion with the chief of police as chairman
the whole body elected by vote OF the
people. | think 1t takes years OF ex-
nerience for a chief of any police depart
ment to attain the best results. There
fore | am in favor of keeping a chief IN
office as. long as he is efficient Lieuten-
ants and the whole force should be under
his guidance at all times.
Rabb-In answer to questoion %
favor a commission appointed by the
Navor. this committee to be restricted IN
it's jurisdiction to the trial OF pohcemeh
for offences, with power to discharge
when guilty of unbecoming conduct; with
further power of appointing the chief OF
,o,,ce and captains of the force think
natrolmen should be appointed directly
nv the chief of police. believe that our
system should provide that neither the
chief nor a. subordinate can be removed
without charges made and sustained z)
I am in favor of changing the law so as
70 give the Mayor power to appoint the
Police Commission, as ! believe III sys-
tenn for municipal government whlcn hAes
the responsibility for good or maladminis-
tration upon the Mayor.
II II. Johnson-d) think the theory OF
a nolice commission is all right ] don't
believe It could be benefited by being put
under a mayor and aldermen. % NO. 20
L don't think so
r. ii. Molton-yD ! am in favor oil a
Police Commission appointed by the gov
ernor. ~ No. 90 No, not until IL Is ue-
nlonstrated that We have Il Mayor wh5
will keep out OF the hands OF local poll
ticians.
w ID. Nesbltt--This question IL one to
which | have not given the Thought that
its Importance demands before decision
should be reached. IL is certain, however
that the present system of devided author
ity and responsibility has resulted in
failure to accomplish that protection
against violations of the law to which
Birmingham and its business interests are
entitled A system that will remove as
far as possible the police department from
the influence Of local politics and make
its members free from the coercion OF the
local office holder and at the same time
make the members directly responsible to
one governing head. who in turn Is respon-
sible to the citizens is the one We should
endeavor to attain