The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-10


ter. We are working for the public,
struggling to serve the public, and it
is for the public to say when we get
through here whether this man had a
fair trial, and whether he has been
convicted or acquitted according to the
legitimate evidence In the case. Ia
Commissioner Weaterly: The pubic
Judges of the general result; the p
lie don't fix our hours here.
Captain White: Not at all. but want
to say this furthermore. If the COM
mission had met and without testi-
mony had decided this case and de-
cided it against Mr.. Bodeker it would
have been a matter of small concern.
You might have described 1t then on
your views. AS to the competency. the
office is not worth that (Snap of fin
ger.) compared with other things in
volved in this suit, but since It has
been opened and attempted to be shown
that he is a bribetaker, CRATER; that
he is in colleagle with crime: that he
has not discharged his duty as an Of
ficial; that, he is wilfully corrupt, I say
in the name of common sense and COM
mon judgment he ought to be allowed
the opportunity to shield himself and
to protect his character.
Commissioner Lane: You have heard
the motion. All in favor of it make 1t
known by saying, aye"
1oHliilSlSOntI w aye.
Commissioner Ward: AYE"
Commissioner Lane: NO.
Commissioner Lane: This inyestiga-
tion will be closed Saturday night and
meetings will be held during the night.
Jim Cole Called
Jim Cole of North Birmingham was
first witness at morning session placed
on stand and stated he had been in
city since 1882; that he had been one
of the mayors and also city attorney
of North Birmingham: that conditions
as to vegrancy, houses of i'll repute,
gambling and general crime in great
er city had been steadily improving in
last several years; that consensus OF
opinion among people of North Bir-
mingham and Greater Birmingham, too,
was that Bodeker was an efficient Of
ficer: that criminal conditions in North
Birmin CHAM were improved in past
several years; that he had two broth
ers on police force; that his knowl-
edge was general that stream of ex-
convicts was constantly coming into
city,
Charles f. Mason
Charles E. Mason. head of local
branch of Walk Over Shoe company,
took stand and stated that from his
general observation conditions of crime
in general was greatly improved in last
several years; that in his estimation
the ability, integrity and efficiency of
Bodeker was unquestioned; that he had
never heard Bodeker's character spoken
of lightly in his presence; that Bodeker
and his force had caught numerous
thieves and recovered much property
stolen from his store; that he was in
clined to think police force was too
small: that he had offered reward and
Il was refused.
w. w. Crawford
w. w. Crawford, president of the Amer
lean Trust and Savings bank, stated that
he had lived in Birmingham some q
years; that he came in contact with and
took an interest in governmental affairs
that he thought conditions as to crime
in general greatly improved in past sew
eral years; that police force was much
too small; that Bodeker was an honest,
efficient and courageous chief of police
in estimation of community; that his
opinion of George Bodeker was that he
was not only an honest. efficient and
courageous chief of police, but man
with common sense; that he knew of no
city where police problems were as diff
cult as in Birmingham that city had
never had better chief than Bodeker; that
ne had been acquainted with Bodeker' S
financial condition for Is years and Bod
eker was nearly always hard up; that
Bodeker had handled several police mat
ters for his bank and always rendered
efficient service, captured forgers and re
turned money.
George Ratterman
George Ratterman, or -Rattermar
Carpet Co., stated he had lived here since
1902, that in his opinion conditions OF
crime and lawlessness were much bet
ter than in past several years; that his
regard for Bodeker had increased every
day he knew him; that the police and
fire department were sort of hobby witt
him and he paid particular attention tc
them; that he regarded work of police
department as a great achievement wher
size of town and police force We're con-
sdered; that he did believe Bodeker had
accomplished more with his force than
police chiefs in other cities with twice
the force; that he did believe citizens
of no other town would countenance such
conditions; that he had attempted to
organize an anti-pistol toting society
every member to wear button; that
it was a disgrace to allow guns to b,
exposed for sale to '1ow-down niggers
and white men," that one time in init.
iating candidates into lodge seven out ol
q candidates had guns on them; that to
publish small size of police force was al
invitation for criminals to come here
that dumping of eX-convicts into Bir
mngham presented a most serious prob
lem; that merchants and business mel
and manufacturers all say Bodeker i,
best chief city ever had or probably will
have in years to come; that there were
many knockers in Birmingham, whl
knocked commissioners and lawyers arc
Bodeker and witness and everybody; thai
Bodeker and police had repeatedly rem
dered him efficient service as an officer
p. J. McGeever
p. j. McGeeVer, the insurance man
stated that he personally knew crimina
conditions were better in Birmingham
now than ever before; that Bodeker'.
efficiency, honesty and activity is OF
highest class that it was the opinion OF
business men not only in Birmingham
but other southern cities that Bodekei
was one of the best police officials in the
south or entire country; that the police
force was not even large enough to pro-
tect itself; that he knew Birmingham
was a better city as regards crime thar
Atlanta.
r. H. Baugh
r. II. Baugh head of Birming ham Arms
and Cycle company, stated he had lived
in Birmingham since 1887 that he consid
cred criminal conditions in Birmingham
much better now than in past severa
years; that Bodeker is esteemed by publ,
as an honest capable officer; that his
personal opinion was the same thing; thai
Bodeker had always rendered efficient
service to his company: witness described
several incidents in which thieves wer,
caught after robbing his store and good:
recovered; that Bodeker always took per-
sonal interest in cases; that robberies OF
his store had grown fewer; that he hao
offered rewards to policemen and Bode