The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-16
COMMISSION WILL HAVE HANDS FULL Many Matters Will Come
 Up Today TO RETAIN BODEKER Judge Lane Flatly Denies That Chief Would Be Released-Weath-
 erly Invited to Mo-
 bile

of the greatest moment, the Birmingham commissioners will meet again this morn ing. They have been adjourned for four days, the longest successive number of days in their history, and consequently their duties have multiplied without ceas- ing.
 The meeting today will be called at 10 o'clock Indications point to the commits sloners being in session until late in the afternoon. allowing a slight intermission for lunch about o'clock.
 The most important questions to de- velop seem to be. at this time that of the bond issue. the park commission, the street assessments investigated by Com missioner Weatherly, the reductions in the police department, and the financial statement.
 City Attorney Romaine Boyd, at the re- quest of the commissioners, gave 1t as his opinion that the bond issue may be called immediately and voted upon within 30 days. However. there seems to be an inclination on the part of the commission to give full sway to discussion of the propriety of the issue on the part of the public. This may call for a slight ex- tension of the minimum time set by Cap- tain Boyd. Again, the election may be called forthwith. The belief that $1,60o, 0c0 should be requested at the hands of the people seems to be concurred in by the entire board. This sum will more than likely be agreed upon by the commission CTS acting as a unit. The issue may be called for June if the commissioners act immediately upon the matter.
 The financial statement due today from J. B. Simpson. the special examiner, will time for the bond issue.
 Park Ordinance
 The ordinance creating a park commis- sion has been drafted by Commissioner Weatherly The law will provide for board of three at this time with additions later as the time and work may require. Commissioner Weatherly will today ask for the adoption of his ordinance and will perhaps recomemnd some citizens for ap- pointment W. D. Nesbitt, Hill Ferguson and others who have been prominently mentioned have signified an unwillingness to take the work up and others will be se- 
 lected. Indications point to Frank w.. Smith, George B. Ward and Hugh Mar tin. the we'll known architect. as becom- ing members of the board. That person. nel would include two former mayors, one of whom represents a suburb and one widely known architect interested in park work Commissioner Weatherly has not intimated whom he would recomemnd for the places.
 viaduct Thursday
 The viaduct hearing will perhaps take place on schedule time Thursday. Judge Lane will be faced by executives of various railroads entering Birming- ham who are interested in the viaduct question The statement is made that the commissioner has no concurrent plan to offer the railroads but that the executives would attend to show Judge Lane courtesy. However, Judge Lane has not stated he did not have another plan under contemplation. It Is pos tive assertion, however, that the pres ence of the executives will be through courtesy more than desire to treat with any new proposal immediately after it is made by Commissioner Lane.
 Weatherly Going To Mobile
 An urgent message was received yes terday by Commissioner James Weath- erly to visit Mobile next Saturday and address the friends of commission gov ernment at a mass meeting in that city. The message was sent by the authorities of the campaign going on In nicC nn
 Commissioner Weatherly stated yes- terday that he would make every er- fort to attend the mass meeting and would tell the citizens of Mobile the good points of the commission as he understood them.
 MT. Weatherly since becoming commissioner has been evolved into an apostle of commission government, having addressed the attorneys in Hat tiesburg. The forthcoming speech will he his second one in less than a month.
 Bodeker RumOr Denied
 That George H. Bodeker, chief of po- ,ice. would not be released of his duties so far as he was concerned was the pub lie statement of Commissioner A. .. Lane of public safety yesterday Tha statement of Judge Lane relative to the police head was called for through incessant rumors that Chief Bodeker would be released soon. The rumors gained such currency that many friends of MT. Bodeker went to Commissioner Lane and many enemies also went. It is stated that Judge Lane holds the opin- ion that Chief Bodeker was elected by the people and that to release him with out an infraction of duty since the com mission went into office would be high lv improper. The statement of Judge Lane will have tendency to offset the speculation as to who would be head of the police.
 Guilty of Theft
 Ellis Phillips, charged with grand lar ceny for the theft of a gun, pleaded