The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-09

ing special officers would remedy lawIess-
ness in birmingham; that Bodeker and
his small force We're doing all anv body
of humans could do
Sol Caheen, Well known merchant. took
the stand and stated that he had known
Bodeker about y years: that in his own
business there were FREQUENT occa sions
for service of Bodeker and his depert
ment; that Bodeker ALWAYS gave good
police service; that business men of citv
regarded him as an efficient officer and
high-ciass citizen: that Bodeker had
never taken or asked for any compensa-
ton Tor his services in catching shop
hlters ana thieves and returning stolen
property that he did not believe and tht.
community did not believe that Bodeker
and his force got graft from gamblers.
that Bodeker handled vagrancy and gen
erai criminal conditions as well as any
man could under circumstances that be-
fore commission government went in po-
lice force of Birmingham was as good a
any in United States, including New
York, Chicago and all big cities; that
since that time force has been cut prac-
tically in half that he characterized
Bodekers work with small force and big
town and other circumstances as won
-derful; that dumping of convicts into Bir-
mingham gave police a great deal Of
trouble; that there wes one policeman
to the whole two blocks in which his
store was located: that Bodeker was re-
garded by business men as a detective
of remarkable ability. that he d!d not
believe conditions of lawlessness t4s- fir-
mingham were near as bad as it was
made out; that such conditions prevailed
in all cities and he had Travelled all over
country.
Judge CASTOR took witness. who
stated he did not believe Birmingham
la4N1aeE hn,
lanta; that he had heard Bodel<er
praised by Tim Sullivan and other
prominent men in New York; that Chief
K ohlcr OF Cleveland had praised Bod
eker; that Kohler was discharged In
Cleveland, that many great and good
men had been discharged. Adjournment
until o'clock was taken.
j. II. Holcombe Next Witness
j. Fl. Holcombe, prominent piano
merchant. was placed on witness stand
at opening of afternoon session. Wit
ness stated he had been connected
with state fair association since 1905 /.
that he had known Bodeker for 10
or IL years; that about 900 peo-
pie attended fair each year and Bod
eker always handled crowds very sat
isfactorly to the fair association. Mr.
Holcombe was the only witness so far
who has not been cross-examined
Harry White Testifies
Harry White was sworn and stated
he had been manager of clothing de-
partment for Louis Saks for s years
that he was exalted ruler of the local
Elks; that among many people he
(witness) came in contact with Bod
eker was considered a more efficient
officer than any of his predecessors /.
that Bodeker had looked after the real
criminals more than any other chief
and had not been so vigorous after pet
ty criminals. that drunkenness and
such crimes he considered petty crimes :;
that police force is Inadequate by 60
men to cover the territory and pop
ulation of Birmingham; that murderers,
pickpockets and thieves were among
what he considered real crimes; that
he furnished uniforms for police force
in some instances; that he was given