The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-12
IRONS MUST BE REMOVED
 FROM PRISONERS AT NIGHT
Commissioners Are Astounded to Hear That Shackes Are Braided on City Convicts and Not Taken Off
 During Entire Term

Associate Commissioner Lane created a mild sensation at the meeting yesterday by disclosing the fact, which he charac- terized as shameful, that convicts in Bir- mingham are worked month in and month out in iron shackles, which were not even removed at night.
 He offered resolution to the effect that such practices cease in Birmingham. This is to be acted upon within a few days. Tho statement was made by Commission CT Lane that he was asked for dime one night by a negro convict on the street.
 Through curiosity more than anything else, I asked him if the shacl1les were ever taken off his legs,' said Judge Lane.
 He told me that not even at night were they removed. He said that he mad been convicted for selling liquor, and had been in jail year lacking Il days, and that during all that time the shackles had never. been taken from his limbs
 Judge Lane added that such practices were brutal, inhuman and barbarous, and that he did not think any civilized community should stand for it.
 Street Commissioner Gafford, who is in charge of that part of the work, said the shackles were braided on when man are acted upon by the board. He shall collect or cause to be collected all fran chise and license and property taxes, all improvement assessments, all rentals. fees, and other moneys which may be +l, .,t, IIo ebo1l art fn board any failure 10 make reports or to pay moneys due to the city; with such recommendations in relation thereto as he may deem proper
 He shall have charge of the fire de- partment and the purchase of the neces- sary equipment therefor and he shall see that such equipments and property are properly preserved and cared for.
 He shall, as president of the board, sign all deeds, notes, contracts and bonds for and on behalf of the city. He shall have and exercise the powers and duties provided by the city code for the com mites on finance and taxation, on f1re, and the miscellaneous committee. He shall, except as is otherwise provided by the act creating this commission or by ordinance, have all the powers ana perform all the acts and duties allotted by general law to mayors in cities of 6OOO population and over, including the signing as president of the board of notices for bond elections and the sign ing for and in the name of the city of all bonds issued hereunder He shall have charge and supervision over all or ficers and employees assigned to his de- partment and over all matters pertain ing to such offices.
 The following officers and their respec- tive offices or departments and all err- ployes therein are distributed and as- signed to the department of accounts, finances and public affairs, viz
 The auditor, treasurer tax collector, comptroller. license collector, clerk, chief fire department. building inspector ana secretary to the Board of Commission CTS
 Judge Lanes Department
 Sec. 5. The department of public jus tice: The commissioner of the depart ment of public Justice shall be the chief judicial officer of the city and he shall have charge and supervision of the re- corders' courts and all legal matters and litigation of the city. He shall see that all ordinances and resolutions are properly adopted and published and the minutes of the board properly written. He shall have charge and supervision of the police department and shall see that the city laws are enforced. He shall have and exercise the powers and duties heretofore had and exercised by the po- lice commission. He shall have charge Of all matters relating to the public health. He shall have and exercise the powers and duties provided by the city code for the committees on judiciary, po- lice and sanitation, and the committee on markets. He shall have charge and over all officers and. em- ployes assigned to his department and over all matters pertaining to such off, fees and officers.
 The following officers and their re- spectiye offices or departments, and all employees therein are distributed and as- signed to the department of public jus tice, viz:
 The city attorney. recorders, chief of police, health officer, city physician, milk and meat inspector, plumbing inspector, sanitary inspector and wardens. All pow CTS and duties invested in the mayor in the cities of COCO population and over, where the same shall be incidental to or clearly appropriate and referable, to the department of public justice or any of its suh-departments or offices shall with re- gard to matters specially pertaining 10 such department, sub-departments ortof- fees except as otherwise herein provided he had and exercised by the commissioner of the department of public justice.
 Weatherly's Department
 Section 6. The department of streets, parks, city and public property and city and public improvements.
 The commissioner of the department of streets, parks and city and public prop erty and city and public improvements shall have charge and supervision of the streets and public highways and parks. He shall have charge of the construction, reconstruction and repair of all street i'm provements, sidewalks, sewers. bridges, viaducts. public buildings and other pub lie Improvements. He shall have manage ment and directing of the watering and lighting of the public highways. grounds and buildings. He shall have the powers and perform the duties provided by the