The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-31
CHEFS HEAD SOON TO FALL BfoWder's Refinement Is
 Presaged. ORDINANCE WITH A JOKER Council Will Nullify Promise by
 Gunter. xsaie.ssd That Appeinsive Power in Three omees win Be Taken From Mayor-Oppe.ition
 Certain ts Develop.

Gossipped that there would be a strenuous light on the reappointment Of Fire Chief Browder by Mayor-elect 0unter. rumor took definite shape last night through the introduction of an ordinance in the special session of the fCfty Council. seeking to take the power of appointment of the Fire Chief from the Mayors hands, and placing 1t n the hands of the Council. Alder men Saul. from Wards7 2. introduced the ordinance.
 Gossip of changes to be made by the Gunter administration have been wide- zy circulated for several days. It was ptated that fight would be made in the Council on the confirmation of Chief Browden when his name was sent to that body ih the list of the Gunter appointees. It was stated with equal lpositiveness that MT. Gunter would ap- point Chief Browder as head of the ire department to succeed himself. Absolve Mayor.
 l Learning that Mayor-elect Gunter was loyal to promise given Chief 'Browder for reappointment, Councilmen opposed to his tenure of ofice took matters in their own hands at the spe- ! cfai session last night. The ordinance lby which the Aldermen propose to oust Chief Browder follows. in part:
 -That the City Council shall. elect a Tax Assessor, Tax Collector and Chief of the Fire Department. the term of once for the Chief of the Fire Depart ment shall begin with the expiration of the term of offlce of the present in- cumbent. but in the case of the Tax Collector and Tax Assessor (there be- ling no present incumbents) their re- npective terms of office shall commence on the third Tuesday In October. 1909, or as soon thereafter as they qualify; and the terms of the office Of said Tax Assessor and Tax Collector and Chief of the Fire Department shall continue until the first Monday in October, 1910 unless sooner removed. and until their successors are elected and qualified; after the first Monday In October, 1S10,- the terms of office shall be for two years and until their successors are elected and qualified, unless sooner re- moved"
 Ceurse Not Smooth.
 The reference of the ordinance caused much debate. Alderman Saul wished the measure to be referred to the Committee on Fire. while other Aldermen wished 1t referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Alderman Thompson was the champion for Chief Browder in his effort to refer the or- dinace to the Committee on Judiciary. In speaking of the ordinance he made
 
 "Genelemen. the effect of this ordi- dance will not be felt by the first two szArfies mentioned in the caption as no one holds those offices, but the or ldinance will have it's effect solely upon the Fire Chief. and its present incum- bent"
 Aldermen called for a yea and nay vote. and Chairman Ruth announced that the vote referred the ordinance fo inc Coxumfttee on Fire
 Thompaon's Conclusion.
 Discussing the matter after the meet ted that the effect of the ordinance would be the busting of Chief Browder from the department, an office which he has. held for the past ten years.
 Gossip of those familiar with city politics brings out the interesting ru- nor that MT. Gunter does not care whether the appointment is ratified by the Council or not. The appoint ment will be made by MT Gunter if the power remains in this hands. It is known also that the Council will make a fight upon the appointment when it is presented to them for con- f1rmation.
 It was stated last night by persons close to the present administration Alderman Saul. if passed by the Coun- ell. would save Mayor-elect Gunter much embarrassment in the keeping of his promise to Chief Browder. The promise was simply to appoint. but if the appointive power is taken from the Mayor, he is relieved of possible em-