The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-08
F. w. Br0mberg, the Jew
eler, Charges Virgins
With IncOmpetency
TELLS OF THEFT AT
STORE IN DECEMBER
Prominent Ensley Men Take Stand
TO Tell About Conditions
There Now and in
the Past

city detective department, and an
nonncement that Judges Fort and
Greene Of the county criminal court
would be placed on the stand to give
some light on the allegation that 1t
was so hard to secure convictions In
police cases in the higher courts were
the two features of the police probe
yesterday outside of the scrap between
the city commissioners themselves.
The charges against Chief Steve Wig
gins were made by F, W. Brombers,
proprietor of the Bfomberg jewelry
store, one of the largest and best
known business houses in the city, at
the corner of Twentieth street ard
Third avenue. Mr.. Bromberg, on the
other hand. paid high compliments to
Chief Bodeker, stating he was one OF
the ablest men he knew.
Contrasts Two Men
Mr.. Bromberg charged that since the
detective department has been placed
in the hands of Chief Virgins he has
been unable to catch thieves that OPP
crate in his jewelry store, but thar
when Bodoker had charge of the de-
tective department he always caught
them. lie cited numerous instances in
which Chief Bodeker and his men had
caught the thief and returned valuable
Jowelry to him, stating that he hal
repeatedly offered Bodeker a reward
for his services and that he had al
ways emphatically refused. Mr.. Brom
berg said that during December there
was $3.50 worth OF jewelry stolen from
his store and that the thieves We're
about to be caught by a Pinkerton de-
tectlve whom Mr.. Bromberg had en-
p1oyed when the news of the theft
leaked out through Mr.. Virgins or
somebody at the detective department,
and the Pinllerton man became disgust
ed and quit the case, and now he Will
never secure the tewelry. He stated he
had particularly asked Mr.. Virgins to
keep the theft a secret: that of the
many cases which Bodeker had handled
for him not one OF them had ever be-
come known. at least not until the
thief was caught and the iewelry re-
turned so that no damage could be
done.
Wants Reporter on Stand
Mr.. Ward asked Captain White 10
place newspaper reporter on the stand
to disprove some of Mr.. Bromberg
statements. Captain White asked why
one of the commissioners should be so
ANXIOUS 10 ulSproVe TINS particular mat
ter. Mr.. Ward stated he merely had
been informed by the newspaper man
that he knew something about it and
he wanted to bring 1t out. Captain
White objected to interrupting his lire
of testimony and the newspaper man
will testify later.
Practically everyone of the police of
ficials or members of the police force
who have testified in the past several
days have spoken of the difficulty of
conviction In the higher courts and j.
Is for some light on this testimony that
Judges Fort and Greene will be asked
to. take the stand.
In the courtroom yesterday morning
Captain White stated that he hoped TO
be through with his side of the case
by Saturday.
After the row between members of
the commission and counsel for both
| sides, Officer Propst was placed on
| stand for cross examination on his tes-
timony Tuesday afternoon Witness
, stated that charges had been preferred
against him. Captain White insisted
that Propst be allowed TO tell what
these charges were. Propst told of n
disagreement with Tidewater street
car conductor who got mad because
Propst wanted to ride free on his uni
form and police badge.
After he had told story Mr.. Wealth
erly stated he had known Propst for
wears and was sure he had acted right.
Mr.. Ward moved that Mr.. Propst be
exonerated of the charges against him,
but Judge Lane and Captain White
stated they did not believe this action
had any place at this hearing ard
Prcpst was then dismissed from the
witness stand.
Parkinson Testifies
Officer Parkinson was next witness
T. 1T, hnt h..h aI f.I
Odum for picking Mr.. Cocks pocket;
that Odum was not away from him
after he had arrested him. that he did
not see how Odum could have talked
to Sid Cowan between time he was ar
rested and sent to jail; that he had
searched for Odum and couldn't find
him; that he left word with AL Camp
bell that he wanted Odum; that he first
knew of charges against Odum when
Mr. Cocks and Mr.. Cowan came to the
police station; that Odum made $1,000
bond after being placed in jail; that
he understood eX-conyicts nocked to
Birmingham; that he did not believe
police force large enough.
Parkinson was questioned at length
by Mr. Weatherly in regard to diff
ficulty in getting convictions In higher
courts before Judges Greene and Fort.
Mr. Weatherly stated he was going to
talk this matter over with Judge Fort
ana Judge greene, and Judge CASTOR
arose and stated he was going to sub
poena these judges Mr.. Weatherly told
him to merely request that Judges Fort
and Greene testify and they would be
glad to do so. Numerous other witnesses
besides Parkinson have previously tes-
titled as to the difficulty of getting
convictions in the higher courts.
BrannOn on Stand
Officer w. l.. Brannon stated he be-
lieved Bodeker was earnest and faith
full in discharge of his duty; that he did
not know of any policeman getting
graft and did not believe chief re-
ceived any; that this was dumping
ground for conyicts.
Witness described Danny Odum's ar
rest, stating that Odum was in police
station when he first saw him; that
Cocks identified him. later chief came
in, all parties stated case to chief; that
chief said Odum would be held till war
rant was sworn out IL Mr. Cocks or Mr..
Cowan wanted to swear one out; that
chief ordered witness to take Odum to
jail and placed his bond at $1,000; that
about SO minutes after Odum WAS In
jail he made his bond and was re-
leased; that he understood case was
still pending In higher courts; that Of
ficers sometimes made affidavit against