The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-15

Who was one of central figures In sem
sational scene before city commission
by union officials yesterday.
tional organizer CT street car employees for
the American Federation of Labor
Wech's exodus from the city last nigh.
is what yesterday furnished the basis for
the most sensational meeting ever held by
the city commissioners of Birmingham.
Arrest Followed His Statement
The arrest of Mr.. Ford followed imme-
diately upon the heels of his speech be-
fore the commissioners yesterday. in
which he admit ed that he had allowed
delegation of his employees to go to Mr..
Welch and state to him in no uncertain
terms that 1t would be we'll for him to
leave the city," that Welch had left and
that he was personally gratified at the
success of the undertaking.
Lively Scene in Commission
Judge Lanes order to Chief of Police
Bodeker to arrest Mr.. Ford followed i'm
passioned speeches by Attorney Ben Da-
Wis, J. b. Drake, member of the state
board of arbitration, Labor Organizer
Esquidge, and others on 'the disgrace to
American liberty aad republican form o;
government, wrich was contained in
President Fords statement AS Judge
Iane turned croir talking to Chief Bode-
ker, Mr.. Drake, who is well known as a
labor sympathi2cr, jumped to his feet
again.
'And want TO ask further that this
rr<r 4..,xt a.
lice court just Ike any other citizen and
that he be put in behind the bars just
like you would treat poor man," he ex-
claimed President Exum bristled.
Mr. Drake, what do you mean by maxi
Ing statement like that?" he said. you
have insulted this commission and directly
insulted Judge Lane as head of the police
department. Has there ever been a case
where we did not t. eat a rich man like a
poor MANI?
Now. Mr.. Exum, think you have fired
premature. said Mr. Drake. II have
not insulted anybody and merely meant 10
ask that Ford De tried"
q That makes no difference broke IN
Mr.. Exum, when you speak to this board
you will have 20 show some respect.
don't mind telling YOU that resent your
implication that we do not use all men
alike and you can't stand before and Z
Mr.. Exum, I'll stand before you and
say anything l please" retorted Mr.
Drake "You're a servant of the people
and am citizen. I've got right 10
come before this commission and say
what pleas and l don't care whether
you resent 1t or not l expect to be here
when there are some others who are gone.
I tell you
''Mr. Draker began President Exum.
Wait! Wait here! broke in Comhis-
sioner Weatherly.
Mr.. Exum. II you"
Weatherly as Peacemaker
Wait" cried Peacemaker Weatherly.
now just what's all this about?" Judge
Lane all the time was muttering that he
had taken no offense. Attorney Davis and
a half dozen others were getting started
to talk and things appeared decidedly IN
teresting.
"You can't talk to me like"
Wait minute now" cried Peace
maker eWatherly. throwing up his hands.
and In the moments calm that followed
Judge Lane spoke.
II move We adjourn" he said. and II
was all over.
The burden OF the evidence Of those who
appeared before the commission yester.
day was as follows:
Disclosures Of Investigation
For the last two or three days there has
been labor organiser named Welch In
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(CoatinueA - Pass six)