The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-28
OFFICIALS QU|BBLE OVER PHRASEOLOGY Feagin Explains His Use of the
 Word Trap" MAY0RAF TRANSFORMATION If Trap Had Been Laid by Health De- partment for Citizen He Wanted
 to Get at the Seat of
 the Trouble.
MAYOR AZ TER INFORMATION

The resentment on the part of several officials of the city health department of d statement which Is said to have ao- peared In the local dailies In reference to part of Judge Feaglns opinion in hand Ing h1s judgment In the case of the city against N. (. Darby. has caused letter to pass between Mayor Ward, Judge Tea gin and one of the counsel for the ie- fense
 From the letters 1t Is Judged that renec- ton was unwlttIngly made on the health department by the misstatement of wat Judge feagin actually said In rendering hls opinion. A letter from Mayor Ward to Judge Feagin inquiries whether or hot the statement Is correct, us 1t appeared In the paper, that the judge made a state ment 10 the effect that the health de- partmcnt waited 10 get the defendant In trap and were guilty of negligence ia handling the case" Judge Feagin's roply stated he was misquoted.
 Three Letters Written.
 Three letters passed yesterday about tie matter, one from Mayor Ward to Judge Feagin, Judge Feagins reply to the Mayor and letter from Col. John NJ. Caldwell quoting Judge Feagln's exact words Mayor Wards letter follows
 July 27. 1907. lion. N. B. Feagin Judge Police Court,
 City:
 Dear Sir-In giving your decision i'll the Glen Iris Dairy case. the press quoted you as saying in effect that the health department waited to get the defendant Tn trap and were guilty of negligence in handling the case"
 We wish to give the health department proper attention if there has been col fusion or inefficency.
 l would be glad to have you advise whether your decision is quoted correctly, and in what way the department has failed to do it's duty to the public. Very truly, c. WARD. Mayor. Judge Feagin replied to Mayor Wards letter:
 July 27, 19Ol Hon. George B. Ward. Mayor City of Bir-
 mingham:
 Dear Sir-1n reply to your letter of this date, asking whether the press quoted me correctly in saying. that the health department waited to get the defendant in a trap and were guilty of negligence Ill handling the case,'' will state that the Hon. John M. Caldwell, one of the eoun- sel for defendant, says he took down ny language at the time. and that il was this: Instead of letting the citizen get Into trap the health department ought to have given notice of the excessive bac- teria count 10 the defendant" l asked several gentlemen just after the receipt of your letter the language l used. and Mir Caldwell replied he took down whal l said. He has written me the enclosed letter, which I gladly send you. Yours very truly, N. B. FEAGTN. Col. John M. Caldwell, one of the coun- sel for the defense, addressed Judge Fed gin as follows:
 Birmingham. July 27, 1907. Hon. N. B. Feagin, City:
 Dear Sir-Referring to your inquiry as to my recollection of what you said con- corning the health department during your delverance of judgment in the case of Mayor and Council vs. Darby. I nave 10 say that took your words down al the time, and they were these, as shown by my record: Instead of letting citizens get into q trap the health department | ought to have given notice of the exces slve bacteria count to the department 1 Very respectfully.
 JOHN M. CALDWELL.