The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-14
Will Pass Ordinance-In- junction Proceedings to
 Be Filed to Test Case
CAPTAIN PAGAN WILL
 BE APPOINTED CHIEF
Other Changes in Police Department Will Not Be Made Until Judge Lane Returns - Merger of
 Departments Rumored

An ordinance authorizing a s200,00 bond issue for the building of Peoples auditorium as recently indorsed at the polls. will be passed by the city com mission at the regular meeting this afternoon.
 Within the next few days an in- junction proceeding against the ordi- nance will be instituted in the circuit court by a representative of the Cham her of Commerce, the case will be ap- pealed to the state supreme court, where it Is hoped to make 1t a pre- ferred case and have decision ren- dered before recess in June.
 With this test case as to the validity of the bond issue settled. negotiations looking to the actual construction of public auditorium, 1t is believed. will soon be under way. Nothing further than a determination to settle this test case as soon as possible has been de- clded upon by the city commissioners and the Chamber of Commerce. who are working in conjunction on tho natter but pending the spreme court decision they intend to look into the other phases of the auditorium prob lem.
 Believe Issue Is Valid
 1t is generally believed by lawyers and others who have kept in touch with the matter that there is little doubt but what the supreme court will hold the bond issue valid. The test case is being made however, on the advice of
 
 stated that they believe the issue to be legal under Alabamas state laws but cannot be positive of it and therefore advise a test case before anything defi- nite is done regarding construction.
 Besides this test case as to the valid ity of the bond issue, recently in dorsed by a large majority of the voters of the city at a public election. other questions involved where the auditor ium shall be located and how much, If any. of the s2oo,0OO derived from the issue shall be used for the purchase of a lot. The Chamber of Commerce, which is back of the auditorium move ment. is opposed to using much of the s200, 900 to buy lot The commission CTS are of the opinion that they cannot legally erect the auditorium on one of the dOWnlOWn city pHrkS.
 President Paschal G. Shook of tho chamber said last night that he was opposed to using more than s40,000, if that much, of the bond issue to buy a lot. Mr Shook believes that the nearer the city comes to putting the entire $20O, 1000 into 8 building itself the bet ter 1t will be for Birmingham. He sug- gested that lot might be rented on long term lease on conditions which would amply justify putting the entire S20o, ,000 into a building if the city com missioners can find no city property which they can use, or other means or acquiring a site for the building.
 Pending the decision of the test case, which it Is believed will be secured from the supreme court within the next two months. little further details will be worked out but after the decision, if it Is favorable, it Is said the au- ditorium will soon be under construc- ton.
 To Take Up Police Situation
 Another matter of general interest to be taken up today will be the police situ- ation. Something further than appoint ment of Martin Eagan chief and the re- sulting promotions is contemplated. In- dications seem to point to a rearrange- ment of the detective department and 1t is generally believed that both the departments-the police and the detec- tives-are to be placed back under one head with Captain Eagan as chief.
 At the commission meeting this after noon, however, nothing will be done, 1t was said yesterday. but the appointment of Captain Eagan as chief and Tom Shirley to fill the vacancy among the police captains, following Captain Eagan's promotion. Other changes-whateyer they are to be--will be deferred until after Judge Lanes illness.
 The commissioners decline to discuss either pro or con the subject of the sepa- rate detective department as 1t now exists. They admit, however, there are other changes contemplated besides the ap- pointment of Captain Eagan and result ing promotions and It Is believed that among these other changes the commis- sioners are seriously considering mer- ger of the two departments as in former times. As to who will succeed Shirley us sergeant of police the commissioners say they do not know. It is probable that all changes and promotions of this na- ture will be left to the sole discretion of Chief Eagan bimself. Call Officer Ed IL Jones is being very prominently men toned as the man to succeed Shirley
 As to Detective Department
 Since it has been settled that Martin Eagan Is to be made chief, public interest is now centering in the detective depart ment. The establishment of a separate detective department always has been considered as the first move toward the elimination of George Bodeker as chief of police. It was created separate and independent of the regular police depart ment and Steve Wiggins placed at it's head, and soon after the famous police probe begun and Bodeker was discharged. Since then Captain Eagan has been acting chief and. Wiggins has had charge of the detective force.
 Ever since Bodekers discharge the greatest interest has been taken by the public in his successor. Many prominent men have been mentioned for the place and several have been active with their friends In seeking the office. At several times. 1t is known. the commissioners have been on the verge of making an but something has occurred to defer action.
 An important phase of the present solu- tion of the police department muddle that has existed for several months now Is the fact that utmost harmony apparently has arisen among the three members of the commission. Judge A. O. Lane has been strenously opposed to the separation of the police and detective departments and to the appointment of anybody except Martin Eagan as chief and considerable friction at times has developed between the commissioners. The appointment of Eagan, however, and the indicated merger of the two departments, 1t is believed, will eliminate all this and harmony will again prevail
 BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIx WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL MEETING WEDNESDAY,, APRIL 15, IN THE MASONIC TEMPLE. ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. ALL MEMBERS ARE URGED TO BE