The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-18
Police Situation Discussed,
But No Definite PrOpO-
sitiOn Made
DORRANCE ALSO
BEING CONSIDERED
Military Men Are Apparently Favored
by the Commission for Chief of
Police-Appointment Is Ex-
pected in Short Time

City Commissioner James Weatherly
Yesterday confirmed the report that Col.
J. Perry Fyffe. former chief of police of
the Panama canal zone. who with Others
is being considered for the appointment
of Birmingham police chief. was in Bir-
mingham himself last Saturday.
He admitted further that late Saturday
evening he got in touch with Mr. Fyffe
at his hotel and in response Mr. Fyffe
came to the city hall, where with Presi-
dent Ward and Commissioner Weatherly
the proposition was discussed with him.
Mr.. Fyffe left Saturday night for Chat
tanooga his old home
Considerable interest was aroused yes.
terday in local circles by the dispatch
printed in yesterday mornings Age-Her-
aid under an Admission date line, giving
the information that Colonel Fyffe was
in charge of the Third Tennessee regi-
ment at Admission in 1898, in the riots
there, when that regiment rendered serv-
ices which resulted in the killing of Il
negroes.
Await Answers to Letters
The present status of negotiations with
Colonel Eyre is that the proposition has
been held up pending answers from peo-
pie to whom he referred the commission
ers for reference and also receipt of a
report from an associate of Colone
Fyffe's in business venture. From what
could be gathered yesterday, it appears
very evident that Colonel Fyffe is not an
applicant for the position in any way, and
Mr.. Weatherly frankly admitted that
there was doubt as TO whether he would
accept the appointment even If it was
offered TO him.
As previously published in The Age
Herald, Mr. Fyffe's name was first sug-
sested to the commissioners as a good
man for the position of police chief 10y a
mutual friend. but without the knowledge
of Colonel Fyffe himself. The commits
sioners were impressed by Colonel Fyffe's
recommendations, and as it was stated
he was to be in Birmingham within a
week or two they were waiting to ask a
conference with him when it was learned
Saturday afternoon that he was already
here. The conference with him followed
We merely discussed with Mr.. Fyfte
the position of CHIEF of police, said Mr.
Weatherly yesterday. He stated that
he was not free to accept or refuse any
proposition we might make to him al
tnis time and stating that he presumed
we would want to know something more
about him at any rate, gave us the
names of several men as references, one
of whom was the police commissioner
who was his superior while he was po-
lice chief on the canal zone. He in
formed us that he, had been compelled
to resign his position there on account
of his wife's health.
Made Good Impression
He impressed me as being a very
modest, frank and pleasant gentleman
1t must be understood that we have made
him no direct proposition yet but are
considering with him a long list of other
gentlemen who are applicants and som,
who have like him been recommended by
friends"
Colonel Fyffe. however. appears to be
a little in the lead of the field, doesn't
he?" Mr.. Weatherly was asked.
Well he's little more in the lime
light" he answered.
Among the others being seriously con-
sidered for the appointment of chief OF
police are, of course, Captain Martin
Eagan. present acting chief of police
and Mai l.. s. Dorrance of the Alabama
National Guard. Like Colonel FyfIe
Major Dorranee has been strongly rec
commended to the commissioners b,
friends. and it is reported that petition
is now being circulated among some o.
the business men in his behalf by ...s
friends.
Favor Military Men
Members of the commission admit the.
are strongly impressed by the military ca
reer of a possible chief of police, as the,
believe the well known discipline and sys
TEN which becomes part of every maj
who has seen military service will de
velop into very good asset in the organ
iZation of a police force. Colonel Fyffe
as previously published. has been a law
yer, newspaper man. soldier and polic
chief at Panama. and recommendation
by his friends to the commission are yer,
strong.
While the commissioners refuse to dis
cuss the chances of any one man beint
appointed there is a general impression
about the city hall that within the cours'
of the next few weeks a permanent ap
pointment of police chief will be mad.
from the three mentioned, Major Dor
rance. Colonel Fyffe or Captain Eagan.
And unless there is a hitch in the Col
onel Fyffe negotiations, there is no doub
but what the indicator is pointing hi
way.