The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-31
THOSE WHO FAIL TO
SURRENDER BADGES
TO Be PROSECUTED
Holder of Special Officers
Badge Must Furnish Bond
of $1,000 = Must \
Work for Saloons


Orders have gone out from the city
commission that all persons who pos
sess special police badges aud do not
deliver them up to Secretary H. 5.
Ryall at once will be Vigorously prose-
cuted.
At the commission meeting yesterday
the commission adopted what they con-
slider final touches to the new special
badge regulations. and they now want
every old badge turned in at once.
Those who do not turn in their badges
will be Immediately investigated.
Under the new regulations of the
commission In regard to special badges.
it is hoped it VIII in the future be an
achievement OF note and an honor OF
which any man can be proud to be
the possessor of one OF them. The
additional resolution adopted by the
commission on this matter yesterday
follows;
Resolution as Adopted
"a resolution amending resolution
regulating issuance of special police
badges, adopted December 80 1913.
Resolved, further, that no commits
sion as special police officer. or spe-
any person. until said person has filed
with the board of commissioners an
indemnity bond in the sum of $1,000.
and executed by responsible bonding
company to be approved by president
of the board.
BE 1t further resolved, that no per
son shall be given special commission
or badge. as set out above, until such
person shall have entered into an obliga-
tion not to accept service or employ
ment from any individual or firm en-
gagged in the liquor business. or such
other business or businesses as the
commission may hereafter prescribe.
"Be it further resolved, that no per-
son connected with the regular police
department or detective department.. or
any other employe OF the city of Bir-
mingham shall accept service, employ
ment or remuneration or gratuties
from any individual, firm or corpora
tion engaged in the liquor business. cor
such other business or businesses as
the commission may hereafter pre-
scribe"
Ward Explains Action
In speaking of that part Of the resolu-
ton Wn1cn FORBADE the giving of police
powers to any employe or agent of a sa-
LOOM Commissioner Ward said.
This action is made necessary by the
tendency to give out special badges as
If they We're complimentary tickets to a
circus. 1t Is essential to discipline and
good conduct that any person who is an
agent of the city In maintaining the law
should be responsible and worthy and
that ne should have no doubtful connee-
tions.
when man is both the agent of a si.-
loon and the city his allegiance TO the|
latter cannot. in the nature of things.
be as staunch as the city desires Il sha II
be He begins 10 rake q sort of pro-
prietary interest In It's operation; regards
it somewhat as q club
THE city cannot afford to be inter-
ested In n saloon 10 any extent other
than compelling its adherence to the law.
It therefore cannot have an officer WHOM
it pays to take more than this interest.
Complications arising therefrom are sure
to be embarrassing.
Furthermore. il is suicidal TO the liquor
interest itself to become involved in sileh
a connection. Whenever the people take.
up an idea that their government Is be-
ing contaminated by the liquor interest,
they are pretty sure to drive out the
liquor interest and annihlate before they
finish