The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-31
Law and Order Agent Proved
a CRATER.
RECEIVES A HEAVY FINE
Man Spotted a Blind Tiger, But Evil
dence Is ejected-Accepts blush"
Money and Finds Him.
self In Jail.

The "spotter" of blind tigers is con-
sidered a useful person, but when he
develops into CRATER and professional
witness, he is adJudged a dangerous cit
izen.
That was the verdict of Judge Feagin
yesterday afternoon when he convicted
M. May on the charge, and fined him
$50 in police court
An actor at one of the theatres was
the principal witness against Mr.. May
1t seems that the defendant had been
''spotting" blind tigers for Officers Street
and Parker for several days, had en-
abled them to make several arrests, and
had received pay for each days work
The opportunity for graft 1t seems,
however was too great temptation
Wednesday night he registered at the
Metropolitan hotel ON the instructions
of the police, to find If there was any
thing in the facts recited by some anony-
nous person to Chief Bodeker in a let
ter received Tuesday. 1t stated that a
negro woman on the third floor of the
Metropolitan building was selling whisky
and delivering it through her son, How
ard Robinson the elevator boy.
Nay asked the elevator boy for whisky,
| rex lived a bottle and paid for it, ac-
cording to his statement. He then went
to the Colonial annex, and while ''nosing'
around, discovered an actor and an
actress drinking whisky in one of the
rooms. He intruded upon them, telling
| them he was an officer, and promising to
return the next morning and arrest them.
| 1t seems that he told Officer Street
about the elevator boy, and Street ar
rested Robinson on the charge May,
however. saved the actors for himself.
Returning yesterday morning he was
met by the man who offered him s25,
| which he. accepted and agreed not to
say anything further
The case of the negro boy was called
yesterday morning, and May testified
that he was receiving So for each con-
| yiction, and that he bought bottle from
| the elevator boy. Judge Feagin stated
| that he would not convict on such testi-
| mony, as this was the first case to come
before him where the spotter was used
as witness.
age have laid down the principle to look
on this kind of evidence with the high
est suspicion. l will not convict q mar
on testimony purchased in this manner
| While | think the negro is probably
guilty, the evidence must be got in a fail
and square manner. The office shoult
see for himself the violation and the
Law and Order league should not re-
sort to such a course to secure convic
| ton
Chief Bodeker states that he has giver
| May orders on the Law and Order league
| for pay by the day for his work; had
| never offered him so much head OF
| never intended that he should be USED
! as a witness. 1t seems that the only
| way spoilers can be used is to have them
| find the blind tiger and then arrange
for the policemen to witness the viola-
| ton.
Yesterday afternoon Chief Bodeker
/ heard of the other incident at the Met.
ropoltan. He Immediately had May ar
rested, the actor appeared against him,
and the prisoner admitted that he had
| taken some money, but claimed it was
only $11. At any rate Judge Feagin fined
him $50 and he is serving out his time
| in jail.