The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-06
NEW COMMISSION
 IN BEHIND POLICE

The Board of Police Commissioners held it's second regular meeting in the Mayor office last night and carefully, systemati- cally and conservatively continued it's improvement of the police force. Present were Mayor Ward. chairman; Commis- sioners John B. Weakley and F. B. Yeild- ing.
 The object in view is to make the force as useful to the public as possible AS Commissioner Weakley said: We want the police to understand that they can be useful in many ways, and that locking up negroes is the smallest part of their duty"
 The most important action of the meet ing was the instruction given Mayor Ward and Chief Wier to write orders to the police force to the effect that they will be held responsible for prompt alarms for fires on their beats, that they must report quickly and do everything in their power to assist the fire department. Prob ably a rule will be made by the chief that whenever a fire occurs in the fire limits the officer on that beat must re- uort the next day to the chief the par ticulars of the origin and the alarm. This action was brought about by the following letter from the chief of the fire department:
 Hon. George B. Ward, Chairman Police
 Commission, City:
 'I would respectfully suggest that the attention of the police department be called to the vital importance of sending in fire alarms before a fire has gained such headway that it is impossible to save the building in which 1t originated.
 Tn most cities the patrolman is ex- pected to discover and report any fire in it's incipency which may occur on his beat and if this can be done In our city it would result In saviag many thousands of dollars each year. Trusting this may meet with your approval. 1 am very re- spectfully "A. V. BENNETT, Chief
 A motion was made and carried that before a special officer is sworn in, at the requesrt of citizens. railroads or cor porations, he must give bond of 5000, to stand responsible to the board for his actions. The previous authority dele gated to special officers will be revoked if they do not put up the bond within 15 days.
 Chief Wier suggested that the commis- sion give him three sergeants to act with the lieutenants on each shift, and assist in keeping a closer check on the discip- line of the department. The commis- sioners greeted the suggestion with unani- nous approval and said they would do 1t future meeting.
 A resolution was passed recommending that the Board of Aldermen pay to D. C.. Simmons full time for the days he was laid off on account of his wound. sus- |, tained in a scrimmage with a dangerous negro. and that Officer Burns be given half time for his illness of four months. In future claims for time will have to be accompanied with certificate from the city physician.
 The commissioners in an informal way discussed many things relative to the de- partment The fact that since their last meeting the street car and wagon traffic has been perfectly regulated was the sub- ject of comment, and especially were the officers placed on the corner to be con- graduated for their work.
 manner of reaching the employer of motor messengers who speed at fast rates over the city was thought of and will be applied if speeding does not immediately