The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-06

< fa1rS 1pSO 1dclO SO llllO liiC ioiNS -% of the commissioners.
 
 The appearance of Associate Commis- sioner James Weatherly at the city hall yesterday morning, where he held an ex- tended conference with President Cu1pep- per Exum, indicated that perhaps an or ganization of the new board of commis- sioners may be effected within a short time.
 At the city hall yesterday the state ment was made that MT Weatherly sim ply called shook hands with President Exum and chatted for short time. They discussed informally the new turn of events, but there was nothing suggested about taking the reins of the city It is confidently believed that the meet ing of the City Council held last night was the last one of that body. There is no meeting sceduled now for two weeks, and it is believed by that time the new | managers will have qualified and assumed control. From what can be learned around the city hall the work to be performed hereafter will be divided into three sepa- rate departments. Each commissioner will assume responsibility for his depart ment Under the commission law the com missioners are required to meet every week to go over the various details of the city affairs and the policies of the munich pality. The weekly meetings are open to the public.
 From what can at this time be gatn- cred it is probable that President Gull pepper Exum will have charge of the financial end of affairs. In this depart ment will be placed the treasurer of the city, the comptroller of the public inn provement fund, the auditor, the tax col lector and the license collector. President Exum will have charge also of the ex- ecutive duties in connection with the finances.
 In the department of public safety will be the fire department, the police depart ment the street cleaning department, the prisons, the city engineer and other at taches. This department. from what can be learned, will probably be in charge of Associate Commissioner James Wealth. erly.
 The department of justice, including the city attorney, all laws, old ordinances and the administration of the court work, will be in charge of Associate Commits sioner A. O. Lane.
 The commissioners will each have an of- flee at the city hall, where they will meet the various subordinate officials and take up with them from time to time the problems confronting the city. The commissioners, after threshing out the small questions through the week. will meet in the general session perhaps on each Monday, where the general ques- tions will be gone over.
 The organization of the subordinate of fiicials into a working unit is expected to be one of the first jobs tackled by the commissioners as a body. From indica- tons the commissioners will meet infor- mally beforehand to discuss this phase of the situation and outline a plan of action to be put into effect the moment they enter upon their new work.
 There is not expected to be any up- heaval in the official family as now con stituted In fact, 1t is stated that the present officials are pleasing to the com | missioners and that the idea of sweeping the hall clean of officials will not be fol- lowed. To quite an elastic degree, 1t is stated, the individual commissioners will have the suggestion and final engagement of the officials who may happen to be in their respective departments.
 Under Mr. eWathery will probably be Chief A. " Bennett of the fire depart ment, Chief George Bodeker of the police department; Walter Burson, chief sani- | tarv officer; Street Commissioner F. H. Gafford the city wardens and other minor officials It is a conclusion not tdifficult | to reach that all these. officials will be retained without any question.
 President Exum will perhaps have under his direct supervision Auditor Pe- tersen, Comptroller George Eustis. Treas urer Copeland. Purchasing Agent Horace Shropshire and other minor officials. l Commissioner Lane will have charge of l the office of City Attorney Romaine Boyd, and the various records of the city of Birmingham In addition Judge Lane will have the complex task of working over the old laws and getting them into | shape TOT the cOIIlIllSSlOHelS to Woih under.
 | The general belief is that Scudder Ry- all. secretary to Mayor Culpepper Exum, will be secretary to the board of com
 missioners. He is thoroughly acquainted with the work, a capital secretary and drilled in the art of diplomacy. He has served under Mayor O'Brien, Mayor Harry Jones and Mayor Culpepper Exum.
 Horace Shropshire is now city clerk and purchasing agent. The chances are | that the duties of city clerk will be re- duced to the harest minimum when the new commissioners take hold In that case. which it is said is likely, MT. Shropshire will become purchasing agent. | If this is done he will probably have his
 hands full handing the increased duties sof that important post for the city.
 The officials as now in the city hall,
 including City Engineer Nicholson. will hold their positions and will discharge the same duties under the new regime.