The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-11

workings of the police department; that
it was the vicious negro element and
white ex-eonvicts which We're responsible
for most of Birmingham criminal
troubles that lie had plead for wears Cor
larger police force but. as MIR Ward
had said. this was a matter Of finances,
and police chief should not be blamed
for ii.
G. L. McCleary
G. /. McC1eary, manager of the I<ress
store. stated that conditions here as re-
garded criminals, were better now than
ever before; that he thought Bodeker an
tonest<and fair man and an efficient cl.ief
OF police; that If more criminals wete
punished after police cought them Il
would greatly aid police force; that per-
sons had been arrested in his store and
were back stealing there again the next
day; that there were probably 800 peg
pie arrested in his store in a year fer
petty thefts but that 50 many OF them
were never prosecuted.
G. W. Davis
G. W. Davis. owner of the Birmingham
Barber college, stated that Bodeker had
given him good service as a police chief
that he considered Bodeker capable
chief and an honest and respected man.
J. A. Russell
-. y. 1NaSSSll stated tonultlOnS We're
no worse here now as regards criminals
than any time in past Il years: that
he regarded Bodeker as a very capable
chief of police; that when he was a mene-
ber of a recent grand Jury police fore e
had greatly aided that body in it's H.
vestigations.
John Wren
John Wren stated he had gone to Mo-
bile with Chief of Police Bodeker and
had not taken Sadie Adams with him.
DIR. r. f. Ashworth
DR.. r. +. Ashworth stated he had lived
here l. years: that criminal conditions
had been no worse in past few years than
at times past; that he considered 1913
record OF police force showed great ac-
tivity of force; that ma jority of criminals
We're negroes and negroes protected each
other and easily hid out; that he admired
Chief Wier but did not hesitate to say
Bodeker was much better chief: that
he did not believe Bodelzer received any
graft money: that he had never heard
anything against Bodel1er until hearsay
testimony of this probe came up.
Bodeker Takes Stand
Chief Bodeker himself took the stand
at S:25 and a silence that was eloquent
fell over the crowded room. as for nearly
two hours the chief told his side of the
case.
Fred Nj. Jackson
Fred NJ. Jackson was the first witness
in rebuttal and stated Bodeker had told
him Il. II. Hickman loaned him (Bodeke1)
money and was one of his best friends.
that he had advanced Mr.. Austin S1oo
for this prosecution.
]. q. Smith
J. G. Smith stated that as rule the
percentage of convictions on appealed
cases from recorders court while he was
prosecuting attorney for city was very
small; that witnesses often forgot details
of evidence: that nearly all cases worked
up by special officers which were hired
by Captain O'Brien were nole pressed
because officers testimony did not amount
to anything; that he was the man who
got up the yellow affidavit and il was
effective il there was any gambling APP
paratus about; that his affidavit was
lodged by the gamblers: that it is al
most absolutely impossible to convict "A
white man of running a gaming table:
that Bodeker aided witness in every way
possible in prosecuting all kinds of cases:
that Bodeker was repeatedly enjoined
from selling drays hauling liquor and
from cancelling LICENCES of soft drink
stands which sold Intoxicating liquors;
that 1t looked like everybody in town was
being arrested in those times.
Adjournment was taken as far as more
witnesses are concerned and the case
closed at II 80 o'clock last night
Chief Bodeker will complete his testi-
mony at O'Clock Monday afternoon.