The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-28
Rival Commissions Order Chief to Look to Them for
 Orders in Future
NEWLY APPOINTED BODY
 IS FORMALLY ORGANIZED
Chairman Copeland of the Old Com mission Says He Does Not Recog nize New Appointees-WiIl
 Probably Go Into Courts.

The police force of Birmingham has the distinction of being commanded by two police commissions. can a man serve two masters?"
 The police commission of the city of Birmingham, created by the recent act of the legislature. composed of Mayor George B. Ward. Frank B. Yielding, and John B. Weakley. met yesterday after noon in the office of s. D. and J. B. Weakley in the First National Bank building and was formally organized
 The commissioners had received their commissions from Governor Conner a notary public swore in the Mayor as chairman of the commission, and John B. Weakley was elected secretary.
 Letter to Chief
 The commission discussed various mat ters. and addressed this letter to Chief Wier:
 Birmingham, Ala. September 27., 1907. William E. Wier, Chief of Police, City of
 Birmingham, Ala.
 Dear Sir-The undersigned members of the police commission of the city or Birmingham created by an act of the legislature of Alabama, entitled, An act to establish police commissions in cities of 35O00 population, or more, in coun- ties of 125 900 or more population, and to define their terms of office, duties and powers" approved March !, 1907, have this day entered upon the discharge of their duties. and, being vested by said act with "the exclusive power and authority to appoint and qualify all the policemen and police officers of the city, and supervise and control them in the pyapntinD of 70 Ia - inc commission desires to advise you that the officers and men now composing the police force of the czity of Birmingham, may be continued in service until the further orders or the commission; and that such officers and men will receive the same compensa- ton for their services as heretofore paid them.
 Until otherwise ordered the police de- partment will be conducted under the same rules and regulations now in force relating to this department of the city government.
 You are directed to report to this com mission all complaints against members of the force and also any neglect of duty. or infraction of rules governing the con- duct of the department.
 Please communicate the contents of this letter to the officers and men serving under you and acknowledge receipt of the same to this commission. Yours very truly
 GEORGE B. WARD, Chairman F. B. YIELDING. Commissioner. JOHN B. WEAKLEY, Commissioner. Wier Has Nothing to Say. The chief, when shown a copy of the letter, refused to have anything to say Chairman Copeland of the old commits sion stated yesterday afternoon that he recognized no other commission, and that he would continue to expect the force to obey his orders. It begins to appear that the fight will center over Chief Wier, and that the courts will decide to whom he must look for orders. The fight is on now between the two commissions for the command of the force. No one knows which will go to the law first, as both claim they cannot be busted. It was stated yesterday by both sides that they would try to keep Chief Wier out of the fight, as it is not his, and that the department itself will not suffer from the differences. The Mayor also has under his author- ity besides that as chairman of the police commisison the power to suspend any officer of the force. He intends, after this muddle is cleared up, to insure d careful enforcement of the law.