The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-07
Conner Names Yielding and
 WeakIey tor Commission
OLD BODY WILL HOLD ON
Chairman Copeland Says They Have as Much Right to Offices Under the New Code as Other
 City Officials.

bA 4hdyOl 1bOTSt b. NdIu.
 The police commissioners, whose term of office, according to the act of the legislature. begin September s, were ap- pointed by Governor B. B. Conner yes terday morning, just two days before the required thirty days after the ad- journment of the legislature expire.
 The appointments are F. B. Yielding and John B. Weakley. as announced by The Age Herald when the governor was here last. Both have, since that time, signifed their willingness to act, and have been officially notified by the governor.
 This action carries out the letter of the law which Mayor Ward succeeded in getting through the legislature, for a commission of three. with himself as chairman. and that the governor ap- point the other two to serve until after the next municipal election.
 When Mayor Ward returns to Bir- mingham he will be presented with two fights for control of city affairs, the one against the Parker faction of the city council. and the other against the old police commission.
 VIII Continue to Hold Meetings.
 Hal J. Copeland. chalramn of the latter, said yesterday that his commis sion would continue to hold meetings and would go to court before allowing Mayor Ward to take over the reins of the police department.
 We were elected by the people at the same time that all the other of- ficers were, and we have the same right as they, under the municipal code, to hold on until after the next municipal election. We will fight the matter through the courts, and intend to em- ploy attorneys immediately.
 Although I have not yet consulted lawyer, I am of the opinion that the first time the commission appointed by the governor attempts to meet, we will get out an injunction against them"
 Commissioner Parker, and several others said last night that they would follow the lead"
 The old body will hold its regular monthly meeting next Tuesday the same as if nothing had happened. At that time both Mayor Ward and MT Weakley will be out of the city, and no objection will be raised. Both vii return about the middle of the month and then the fight will open up ir earnest.
 The fight In the council bears g marked relation to that over the com mission, as both depend upon the inter pretation and bearing on other laws o1 the new municipal code. Both bodies also, are in sympathy with each other as opposed to Mayor Ward.
 Although mildewed for a while, the administration forces in the council are beginning to take good hope. and claim they have great chances of busting Parker and putting Mayor Ward back in the chair again.
 Administration Is Confident.
 Alderman Walter Moore said yester- day that he had just received an opin- ion from his attorneys to the effect that there would be no trouble about win ming out, nor would there be any diff fculty in the proper interpretation oi the code.
 He said that it could be proved be. yond a doubt that every action taker by the board fin the last three meet ings has been illegal and void an6 i that no really recordable meeting ot the board can be held until Mayor Wart is in the chair, and the order follows the old municipal laws. One alderman pointed out that il such should be accomplish ed, Alder man M. J. Gregg would still hold the seat occupied by him in the Seventh ward, and President Parker would no be an alderman.
 However all Is quiet in the majority camp, and they have the same conf dence in the legality of their previous actions.
 President Parker yesterday went be fore a notary public and took forma oath of office, which was filed in tho office of the city clerk He states that he has taken the oath formally on two occasions. The matter of oath of of fee will not effect the fight between the factions, as the rub hangs entire ly on whether Parker was legally elect | ed or not.
 
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