The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-14

that he considered the present force of policemen and detectives sober and in- dustrious men and that he did not want to see them discharged.
 He said MT. Barnes, a special agent of the Frisco railroad, would testify that the railroad recovered $500 worth of stolen property at one time through the local officers.
 Stated that MT. Phil Brick would testify that his store was robbed on one
 occasion, and that Officers Childress and Houston caught the offenders and recovered the property that was stolen and returned it to him, and that later he was manager here of the Walk Over Shoe, company, and that Detec- lives Maddox and Ross recovered $25 worth of shoes that had been stolen
 from his place and captured the rob
 Der before he even knew that his store
 was being burglarized.
 He said that Jap Bryant. a prominent
 merchant of the city. would testify
 that the present police force was the
 best the city had ever had.
 Stated that MT. Scarlett, a special agent of the Southern railroad, and
 MT. Ball. special agent of the Ala
 bama Great Southern railroad. would testify that brass thieves had been cap
 tured through local officers.
 Said that Jimmie Wells would testify as to the actions of Maddox and Ross
 at the time Special Officer Patton was
 killed in the effort to capture two des- perate negroes.
 Said Mir. Mallett would testify that the officers had recovered stolen goods
 for him promptly. Said MT. Phillips would testify that the officers recov- cred $500 worth of goods that had been stolen from him and captured the thief, and that he was now serving a five year sentence in the penitentiary for the crime Said Dr. w. D. Taylor, owner of the w. D. Taylor Drug com rany of this city, would testify that Detectives Maddox and Childress had recovered a quantity of medicine that was stolen from him.
 Solicitor Perry a Witness Mir. Murray then asked Solicitor Perry to testify about MT. Maddox re- covering S5 for him. MT. Perry stated that he had lost $5 and sent for Mad dox and that he found the money and returned it to him (Mr. Perfy). He said that a nurse girl had stolen the
 money. and hid it under bush in the yard. This was rather amusing turn in the proceedings. and both attorneys and the committee enjoyed 1t.
 Judge J. c. B. Gwin of the city court of Bessemer, now in session here, was next called by the defense, and stated that he had presided at the trial of Off, ficer Ellis Houston, charged with as-
 sault on one Dickey. Said that he found Houston not guilty, and that Off, 1 fcer Maddox was not involved in the case at all. He said that he cautioned Houston to be moro careful in the fu- ture when attempting to arrest a man. l Mir. Murray stated chat the defense would rest at this point. MT. Perry
 stated to the committee that he had k kkAw~ 1rrk ( ttx l If the committee thought the attorneys could assist them in arriving at the truth of the matter by arguing it, he would be glad to do so.
 l Chairman Lacey stated that the com mittee was disposed to hear the argu- ment by both sides if the attorneys were disposed to argue the matter | There were brief speeches
 | Dr. Lacey, after ascertaifiing that both the attorneys were really through
 said Gentlemen. I want to thank you 1 for the good order that has prevailed l throughout the meeting It has been a 1 jolly, good -natured crowd and you have apparently enjoyed the investigation 1 These are new roles for myself and | my fellow committeeman. and l nave done my best and I know they have | in the matter. have never yet recog- nixed friend or foe when it came to a l question of doing my duty, and feel
 that all members of the committee feel | the same.
 'I hope that if any personal feeling has been caused during the investiga-
 tion that 1t will be dropped and that we l will all work together and harder fol
 a bigger and better Bessemer."
 Compliments the Attorneys
 He complimented the attorneys or l the manner h which they had handled their case and thanked them for the assistance they had given the commit. II tee He said he thought that an in. vestigation was due the community and the officers charged with the offenses | and that he was glad that an opportu' II nity had been given them to offer evf' \ dence in their behalf. He then an ! nounced that the meeting stood ad N journed and that the committee woulS ! report its findings to the board of al E sd6TnhSn at . Iater date;
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