The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-11
COPELAND ENTERS FIGHT
 WITH VERY TART LETTER
Says Point Blank That Mayors State n1ent Is Not True-Asks Him To Point Out Gambling
 Places,


 versy between the Chief of Police and the Mayor of the city would be unseemly and would not rebound to the enforce ment of the laws and ordinances of the city or the proper discipline of the police force. But as you have asked me for an interview, I wish to state that if there are any gambling rooms running in Bir- mingham with drink attachments, I do not know it nor have I any reason to suspect the same, as I have visited in person all of the rooms in which gam bling has heretofore been carried on, two or three times a day, and I find no evil dence of gambling at any of such places have also had Patrolman Street. one of the force whom the Mayor asked me to detach from the force and put under his orders, especially detailed to investi- gate, with the view of ascertaining whether or not any gambling or selling of intoxicating liquors was going on in the city, as well as Officer Burke.
 'I wish to state further that the in- situation in the Mayors card that re- cent orders have been given patrolmen to the effect that when gambling is found on their beats, to report the same to their superior officers, who in turn will report to the chief for his personal in- vestigation, that no such orders have been given by me. On the contrary, my orders to patrolmen were that they them selves should investigate to the utmost of their ability to ascertain whether any gambling or selling of intoxicating liquors was carried on on their respective beats and that they would be held responsible for gambling or selling of Intoxicating liquors on their beats; and further, that if they had any reason to suspect that any gambling or selling of intoxicating liquors was going on on their beats and could not find 1t, then to report to their superior officers who would report the fact to me. and that by this means they would be aided to the full extent that such superior officers and myself could give.
 Requests That Reports Be Made.
 q wish to state further that any per- son who suspects that gambling or sell ing of intoxicating liquors is going on in this city, is requested and urged to re- port the same to me and I will go with them to the places where they suspect such violations of law and aid them to the full extent of my power.
 "I wish further to say that I will heart fly cooperate with the Law and Order league in ascertaining and enforcing the law prohibiting gambling or selling of intoxicating liquors in the city, and in- vite them to aid me in such matters, and promise to give them my full and hearty cooperation.
 About the request of the Mayor to ! have Officers Street and Parker relieved of patrol duty and placed at his dis posal for 60 days on special work, Will say that I have no right or authority to detach policemen or relieve them from patrol duty and place them specially un- der the charge of any person. To do so would be insubordination on my part and show a want of respect for the police | commission under whom l am placed by l law. This request of the Mayor should have been addressed, it seems to me, to the police commission, who have power | and authority in the premises, and not | to me- Letter From GoodalI.
 I In this connection letter which was
 received by the chief yesterday, is inter- | esting: o l Birmingham, January g, 1908. l "Mr. George H. Bodeker Chief, City. l MY Dear Sir--I am in receipt of your l esteemed favor of the 4th, and 1t is very 1 gratifying to note your determination 10 1 punish the violations of the prohibition l jaws which have recently taken effect i'll | our city. and especially is your letter
 gratifying since there has been great ap- | prehension expressed by many leading | men of the town that the present admin | istration would not exert any special el- l fort to enforce as rigidly as they could 1 this law. We hope the police department I of Birmingham will take the initiative 1 in this work with the assurance that the | Law and Order league. as strong body | of the representative men or JeHerson 1 county, stand ready at all times to do 1 their duty and to assist your department | in executing the law to the fullest degree. | If at any time we can be or any assist | ance in the suppression of the violation | of these laws, we are ready to lend our
 substantial aid. We are determinedto see | that this law is enforced and you are | at liberty at any time to call on us.
 l Again thanking you for your kind ex- 1 pressions, beg to remain, very truly | yours, K. M. GooDALL, .President Law and Order League
 Copeland's Reply To Ward. The reply of Hal J. Copeland to Mayor ! Wards letter to Bodeker was as follows; Birmingham, January lO lsoS. 1 "Hon. George B. Ward, Mayor, City: Dear Sir-Your favor of the 9th inst. | addressed, George H. Bodeker, acting I chief of police. has been referred by Chief | of Police Bodeker to me for instructions. Until you familiarize yourself enough with
 the city government to know who are the | proper and legal officials of the city, and | address them as such. your communica- l tions are not worthy of notice. But waiv- | ing this irregularity in this instance will say that the only surprising feature in your letter is that you did not ask for the whole police department to be placed at your disposal instead of asking for only two officers. The recent past bears shameful testimony of your desire to hold the police department of this city wit2in your clutch.
 You speak of our officials humiliated and insulted by officers who have no proper conception of their duties as pub lie servants How aptly this expression ats yoYr case. Why did you not think