The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-20
POLICE PROBE WILL
BEGIN IN EARNEST
TUESDAY MORNING
Wards Resolution Adopted
at Meeting of Commits
sion Yesterday
CHARGES WILL BE
FILED BY AUSTIN
Counsel Makes Statement to Commits
sion, But Declines to Give Particu-
lars-Hearings Will Prob
ably Be Semi-Public

! Beginning In full force probably Tues
cay the police department investigation
will be on next week.
Following the unanimous adoption of
| President Wards probe resolution" yes
| terday by the city commission, Connie
Austin, through counsel. informed the
commission that he had serious charges
against members of the police depart
nent' which he would file Monday in
| writing.
| The probe will be public. quasi pub
| lie. The commissioners state that while
they have arrived at no final decision.
| they do not desire to give anyone the
opportunity of alleging that they are try
ing to keep something from the public.
ard that therefore at least members of the
press will be admitted to the sessions of
the investigation
Will Be Semi-Public
| As to whether or not the investigation
will be thrown open to the general pub
| tic indications are that it will not be. The
commissioners state that If this should
be done there would no doubt be such a
crowd of all classes of people attempt to
get into the room that much disorder and
CODluSlOu WOulu IeSulls Thereby not only
delaying the progress of the investigation
/ ut in some instances probably seriously
hindering its efficiency. 1t Is probable the
final solution of the question will be that
no one except witnesses and the principals
to the Investigation and members of tho
press Will be admitted, thereby retaining
that privacy necessary to dispatch and ef-
ficiency. and at the same time assuring
the public at large fun details of all that
goes on through the daily press.
Immediately upon adoption OF the resollI-
ton ordering the investigation into ths
present and past records of every member
of the department, Judge. Zell Castor, at
torney for Mr. Austin, arose and stated
that his client wished To know what was
to be the mode of procedure of the inves-
tigation, when 1t was to start and similar
particulars so that charges which he de-
sired to make against members OF the de-
partment could be done in accordance
with such procedure. Judge CASTOR stated
that he could not get the charges into
shape before. Monday. he had tust been
retained in the case
After some discussion the board voted
unanimously to meet in the commission
chamber at o'clock Monday afternoon
and receive the charges to be prepared by
Judge CASTOR in writing. The defendants
to the charges will then be notified and be
given time to reply before any hearing
on the charges is had. Therefore, the
investigation proper Is expected to start
off Tuesday morning with hearing OF
the formal charges to be filed by judge
Castor.
Decline to Discuss MatterN
Mr.. Austin preferred not To discuss any
of the particulars relating to the case, as
he was connected with it. Judge CASTOR
also stated that ne could say nothing at
this time, he did not deem it would
be proper THE charges very serious,
fowever." he stated. "and they based
Upon good evidence" When asked as to
whether or not they concerned Chief OF
Police Bodeker. he declined to answer. but
stated that they concerned members of
both the police and detective departments
as now constituted.
Members of the commission declined to
discuss publicly the new phase of the situ-
alton arising from MIR. Austins action.
As will be remembered, Mr.. Austin, who
formerly was chief of police OF Birming-
ham, just a few days ago filed petitions
in the city court before Judge Sharpe ask
ing that temporary injunctions be granted
against certain places where gambling
was alleged to be going on and certain
persons who frequented these places. Mr..
Austin has taken issue with Chief of Po-
lice Bodeker in several instances within
the past few years.
The commissioners stated that they
would hold a conference today or Mon
day morning and decide upon details
and methods of procedure for the probe.
which will be made public as soon as
formulated.
Outside of the adopting of the resolution
and the action of Mr.. Austin the police
situation was very quiet yesterday.