The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-11
FIRST OPTICAL
 MEETING TODAY
Judge Lane Sounds the Keynote By Declaring Politics Will Have Absolutely No Influence
 With the Board

morning. there will be some positive action taken looking to the further em- rloyment, of the various citv officials.
 The only decisive action taken yes terday was the apportionment of the duties of the three men.
 After meeting yesterday afternoon al 3 o'clock the commissioners agreed upon what department should be ham, dled in detail by each of the members The belief is official. however, that all questions such as public policy and generalities will be handled by the con- misison as a whole.
 The New Line-Up
 President Culpepper EXum will have the following departments:
 Accounts. finances dncluding public assessments for Improvements, public affairs. fire department. and the build ing inspectors department.
 Commissioner Lane will have charge of the following:
 Public justice, recorders court, city attorney, police department. health de- partment and the plumbing depart ment.
 Commissioner weatherly will have charge of the following:
 Department of streets. parks, city and public property, city and public im- provements. electric department. en- gineering department.
 Thorough Checking Up
 The second act of the commissioners after gathering yesterday afternoon was to call for an immediate inventory from every department. Every city official was requested to hand in at once everything in his offices including stationery, ink and other supplies and equipment. The commissioners desire In this way to get an exact line upon what they received from the Board of Aldermen. These in ventories were prepared yesterday and in most instances were in the hands of the commissioners on record breaking time. Some reports, however will not be made various substations for lists.
 The board was in consultation with City Attorney Boyd and Engineer Nichol- son a large amount of the time while deliberating. The commissioners asked numerous questions about the city con ditions.
 The special report of Auditor Simpson relative to the financial condition of the city has not been completed yet. The information and will take action when 1t is handed into them. Auditor Simp- son was received by the commissioners yesterday and talked with them short while
 Politics Powerless
 death knell to political power was yesterday sounded by Commissioner Lane. The commission received a com mittee from Woodlawn, who desired the appointment of c. L. Spain as a sani- tary inspector. The general rule was suspended to hear from that committed Spain had been a citizen here for long while and once had petition of several hundred names to influence his appoint ment.
 This matter is in the department of Commissioner Lane. To him the com IIllSSlOHtIS tuIHcu lOI d IcPly tO fthC 1l- plication. He drew out a note book very methodically asked the name and ad- dress of the applicants and then said:
 'This will be given careful and accurate consideration. I will have a talk with pr. Nelson (health officer) and if we make any decision I will-notify you. But. gentlemen, there will be no need of any political influence in this regard. This commission will not be swayed by any thing savoring of the political" \ This positive assurance from Judge Lane that the application of even the most humble person would not be weighed with lesser considers ton than that of the most powerful political manipulator in the city, indicated to those in the room that conditions of old were of the dim and receding past.
 The commissioners said there was no announcement to be made relative to the action yesterday, but that public meet ing would be held this morning at 10 clock pursuant to a provision of the law. The meeting will be open and free to those who care to attend.
 The Inauguration
 In the presence of a large number of interested citizens of Birmingham the cloak of councilmanic reign was thrown aside and the raiment of the commission form of government donned by Birm- ingham yesterday morning at 10:31 o'clock. There was little ceremony in the breaking of another worlds record by Birmingham, as in the adoption of the commission this was a result. Birm- ingham Is the largest city in all the world to be governed by commission adopted by, vote of the people. Wash ington Is the only exception and that is congressional matter.
 The three commissioners-Pres Culpepper Exum, James Weatherly and A. o. Lane, reached the city hall d few minutes before 10 o'clock Judge Lane drafted an oath which was written out by Scudder Ryall, private secretary to Mayor Exum. In few minutes the oath had been taken and the city of Birmingham was under the guidance of only three men.
 Henry Westall, a relative of Commis- sioner Weathery was accorded the hon or of administering the paths to the commissioners. He caused each man to raise his right hand and swear that he was eligible to discharge the duties an,i that he would do according to the best of knowledge and belief. The commis sioners also affirmed that they would support the constitution of the state and of the United States.
 Oath of Office
 The oath follows
 "State of Alabama. Jefferson County:
 "Before me. Henry Westall, 2 notary