The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Gossip Among Those Returning
BY CLYDE W. ENNIS

Had the Louisville and Nashville rail- road had suddenly taken notion to their fast train last night such title as the Bankers Limited would have | sounded rather cute and appropriate, Tor on the "up'' train last night from Mont comerv were bankers from Birmingham, bankers from Decatur, bankers from Huntsville and other places They were mingled with many prominent Birming- ham folk returning from the capitol. The bankers, men who have long since learned to say No have been attend ing the bankers convention at Mont gomery. The monied men were, in addi- ton to the convention, interested in pending legislation, so their meeting served a double purpose.
 w. P G. Harding, president of the First | National bank was one of the promi-
 nent bankers returning last night. He was a conspicuous attendant upon the
 tankers' meeting and also called to see l Governor O'Neal there having sprung l up between the two warm personal
 friendship Mr Harding said the bank CTS convention at Montgomery was
 pleasant, a forerunner of good and very much enjoyed by those attending. He l said the commission and anti-fee bills were being talked of considerably in Montgomery, but that no action was im- mediate upon those measures.
 | pr. John L. Parker, president of the
 board of education and pr. J. H. Phil l lips, superintendent of Birmingham schools, returned last night. The educa- | tors have been to the capital to confer
 with Superintendent Wilingham of the
 state organization in regard to some edu- 1 cational matters. The conference is prelude to some concerted action on the part of educational folk regarding the betterment of schools in the state. pr. Parker said the legislature was
 getting rather busy now and many bills
 of great importance would come up be-
 fore long and be acted upon by the mem.
 bers. Said he:
 "Dr. Phillips and held short confer
 ence with Professor Willingham, after
 which we attended the legislative ses- l sion The conference we held was in re- gard to some matters which will be acted
 upon soon. The visit and conference were
 satisfactory. The indications point
 strongly to this legislature providing ann
 ply for education in Alabama. The mes
 sage of Governor O'Neal indicated strong
 ly his desire along this line, and his rec concentrations will certainly be acted up
 or by the lawmakers. Montgomery pre- sents rather an active scene now, for
 the members of the legislature are work
 ins with a vim. They realize the short
 ness of the session and intend to put in l every possible minute to the service of | the state. They are a representative set I of men, whose work will reflect well upon
 the people who voted for them.'
 | Greatly encouraged with the prevailing opinion that the police department will | be placed on a civil service basis. George l H. Bodeker, chief of police for Brming l ham, returned from Montgomery last
 night. He has been hard at work for the | civil service measure for several days | in Montgomery. during which time a fav-
 crable sentiment has been worked up by him for the bill he sponsors. In talking | of the bill last night, Chief Bodeker said:
 
 1 dent. think the civil service bill for our department and like cities will be acted | npon favorably by the legislature. I have | talked with large number of the law makers about 1t. and to our local dele gation I find the lawmakers are ready | and willing to give their attention to our
 work, and number of them are in favor of the relief we ask. The civil service | bill for police departments is aimed to keep the department from politics, and, | as everyone in Birmingham at all we'll informed knows, have always Seen op- posed to the police department being in politics. It jeopardizes the effectiveness of the department and tends to make the law officer a miniature politician. The civil service will render the policemen
 free of all this and increase his
 worth by great deal. The bill
 does not contemplate the removal of
 the department head from the peoples
 vote, so whoever is chief will necessarily
 have to appeal to the people. I have
 every reason to believe that the bill vii
 be passed.
 Eugene F. Enslen of the Jefferson Coun ty Savings bank returned last night. Ht
 has been attending the bankers conven
 ton in Montgomery. Montgomery never before reminded mt
 so much of Birmingham he said. "Tht streets and hotels were filled with people and everything seemed active That i. , Birminghams normal condition, but no !, that of many other places in Alabama IT feel that the lawmakers are to give Alabama the best sort of service and al of the bankers attending the convention 'were optimistic. The affair was yer,