The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-11
Policemen Dropped For Drink ing on Duty and Others
 Are Suspended
STREET GAR CONGESTION
 MUST BE REMEDIED SOON
Rap Is Taken at Crowded Condition Of First Avenue and Twentieth Street and Mayor Is Empowered
 to Stop 1t.

The new police commission held it's first meeting yesterday afternoon in the office of Mayor Ward, and began the expected overhauling of the police force by making a rule that any officer who is caught carousing and drinking in the Red Light district has no place on the force.
 Two policemen were dismissed from the force on the charge. The precedent was also set 10 the effect that an officer con vcted for the second time of taking a drink of whisky while on duty would be dismissed.
 We want to uphold the sobriety of this department" said J. B. Weakley. It ture for men to appear before the com- mission when charged with drinking. A drunk man gets fired and man caught drinking gets one more trial.
 Must Appear as Witnesses.
 Mayor and Chairman Ward, by the in- struction of the commission, has written a letter to Chief Wier, calling attention to the repeated negligence of the police in failure to appear at police court to prosecute men whom they arrest. The Mayor stated that in future such failure would be considered neglect of duty, and ordered Chief Wier to make out such charges for'trial before the com mission in future cases.
 The Mayor ordered Clerk Cunningham of the police court to furnish him in future with a list Of officers who fail to appear in court when their cases are called. This is an evil against which both Assistant City Attorney Smith and Judge Feagin have repeatedly com plalned.
 Relieve Street Car Conditions.
 Another important action of the com mission was the adoption of this reso- lution, which seeks to stop the crowded condition of cars on First avenue and Twentieth street, where nearly every street car passes:
 Whereas, it has been brought to the attention of this commission that the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company is now operating several of it's lines on streets upon which the right to operateNsaid lines has not been granted, and,
 "Whereas, this diversion of cars has caused such a conjestion of traffic at several important corners as to interfere with the proper policing of such thorough fares, and a congregation of crowds of people for the purpose of taking the cars tends to block the streets and ob- struct free passage thereon, and,
 Whereas, it appears that the Bir- mngham Railway, Light and Power company by operating cars on the streets where no franchise has been granted is to this extent obstructing the streets of the city.
 Now. therefore, be 1t resolved, That the Mayor as ex-offico chairman of this committee be requested to ascertain whether or not the Birmingham Rail way, Light and Power company is oper- atfng any cars on streets not included in proper grants from the Mayor and Aldermen of Birmingham, and if he ascertains that cars are being so oper- ated that he instruct the chief of police to stop the operation of said cars"
 Under Governors Wing.
 When the commission was called to order all "Three B's' were present. Mayor George B. Ward. John B. Weak ley and Frank B, Yielding. It was jok- ingly remarked when speaking of the governors special call for the legislature. that "B. B"' would look out for his Three B's.''
 The case of Policeman Brown, charged with drinking while on duty, was called. It was singular that the first officer ever tried by this commission should be ;Y, nrxIn nf !, city. The charges were read and MT. Brown plead guilty.
 MT. Weakley, after expressing the senti- ment that no policeman should drink either on duty or off, moved to confirm the suspension made by Chief Wier, and to suspend the officer fifteen days from date of beginning.
 Mr. Brown was assured that anoth CT such charge would mean his dismissal. !. and he promised not to indulge further.
 Hoods Case Called.
 The case of Policeman Hood was the next called. He was charged with con duct unbecoming an officer. Lieutenant Eagan testified to finding hinr- in the questionable district, Intoxicated and two women SWore that ne ran them around with pistol in lis hand.
 Policemen Hyatt testified to having been with him, taking a drink, had not reported that afternoon for duty, it being pay day, and stated he was there on busi- ness.
 Mr.. Weakley moved that the charges against MF Hood be sustained, that sim liar charges be, made and sustained against MT. Hyatt, and that both be dropped from the force. MT. Yielding 2 seconded the motion, and it passed.
 W. T. Goode and x. Combs were elected to fill the vacancies as super numeraries On motion of the Mayor, C. M Lansdorn who is physically disabled, was dropped from the force.
 The first Tuesday in each month was set as the regular date for meeting, to be held in the Mayors office at .so clock.
 Reports on Pensions.
 Dr. R. D. Pressly a member of tn