The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-21
NO DEVELOPMENTS
YESTERDAY IN THE
POLICE SITUATION
Speculation Rife as to the
Investigation Which Be-
gins This Week
OFFICER STOKES
is DISCHARGED
Found Guilty of "Gross Misconduct"
on Charges Preferred by Prof.
Frederick Losey of the Uni
yersity of Alabama

NO developments of consequence ap-
peared on the surface of the police
department situation yesterday
The commissioners are approac chin cr
the coming investigation of the depart
ment with the idea in mind of keeping
excitement and feeling at as low an
ebb as possible They held no con-
ference on the situation yesterday.
stating that all details of the probe
which Is to be started tomorrow aft
ernoon at o'clock can be arranged
In few moments, which will be done
probably Monday morning and that
otherwise details of the probe will be
allowed to shape themselves as much
as possible.
Stokes Is Dismissed
Patrolman r. Ii, Stokes who works
the Terminal station beat, was yester-
day convicted of gross misconduct"
and discharged from the force. While
Patrolman Stokes dismissal has no di-
rect connection with recent police de-
partment developments, much interest
Is attached to 1t by reason of its oc-
currence at the time when the gen
era1 probe of every member of the de-
partment is pending. Stokes was an old
member of the force in point of serv-
Ice and has worked the Terminal sta
fion beat for many years.
Indications were yesterday that when
the probe starts this week It will have
practically all the earmarks of one of
the present-day much-read about con-
,eressional Investigations. Reports are
that practically all persons will be
represented by counsel and that some
interesting legal battles may be staged
before the three members of the city
commission as the probing committee
or presiding judges.
Although the conference deciding
these details has not been held, the
members of the commission stated yes.
terday that there was no doubt bur
1,that the investigation would be quasi
>Npubiic. In that all persons would be
excluded from the investigation cham
Der except the principals, the witnesses
counsel. commissioners and newspaper
men. They state they intend to take
this course, as stated in yesterday
mornings Age e-Herald, in. order to do
away with confusing and partisan
public audience which would retard the
progress and decrease the efficiency of
the probe and at the same time af-
ford thorough publicity to anything
that occurs during the investigation
through the representatives of the daily
press.
IL Is doubtful IL anything of con-
sequence will occur tomorrow At 3
o'clock Judge Zell CASTOR, attorney for
c. w. Austin, will file the charges
with the commission which have been
mentioned In yesterdays Age Herald
Whether or not the trial of any per-
son on these charges will be started
the same afternoon is unknown. but it
Is doubtful Before the trial is start
ed on these charges the defendants
will have to be notified and given rea-
sonable time for preparation of de-
fense. II they desire to make one.
May Not Begin Before Tuesday
If the investigation Is to be launched
with the Austin charges, the probe
may not really get, under way until
Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday. 1t is
possible, however. that the probe will
be opened with the case of some men,
Der of the department other than those
against whom formal charges have
been declared and IL this Is the case
the Investigation may begin in full
(COutfuued Paue Stvl