The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-31
MORE POWER GIVEN
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Judiciary Committee Favor.
ably Reports Bill Provid-
ing for Special Counsel

Montgomery. January 30 Especially
Authority to employ special counsel, to
take charge of the investigation or prose-
crtion of any criminal cause in the state,
and to appear before any grand jury in
the capacity of solicitor are features of
a bill, reported favorably in the house
yesterday by the judiciary committee
which further prescribes the duties Of
the attorney general. The measure pro-
vides that the attorney general shall be
the chief legal officer in the state. and
grants that official greater powers than
has ever before been exercised by the
head of the department.
| For the performance of the various
duties prescribed in the act, the bill pro-
vides an appropriation of $1,000 annually,
| to be paid out for the employment OF
special counsel, for all clerical and other
assistance, and for the investigation of
law violations and the prosecution OF
crime, as well as any other expenses
which might be incurred by the attorney
general in the conduct of his office.
| The measure contemplates one of the
most progressive steps inaugurated by a
state department In many years, and is
| expected to pass both houses with little,
ii any, opposition. AS is we'll known, the
power to employ special counsel has here
\ tofore been exercised by the governor.
Under the provisions of the bill. the at
| torney general, as the chief legal officer
\ of the state, is given that power, rs
well as authority to direct any solicitor
| to assist in the investigation or prosecu-
ton of any cause in which the state OF
county Is interested, in any other circuit
| or county than that of the solicitor SO
directed to take charge of any such
Investigation or prosecution"
Cost of Counsel Reduced
The measure provides a great reduc-
ton in the compensation of special coun-
Sc, as compared with the previous ad-
ministration. 1t is known that the total
amount of compensation paid the attor-
ney general, his assistants and clerks fol
the past eight years, together with the
amount expended for special counsel and
| other expenses, amounted to S203, S22 80
or more than $4,000 per annum. The
amount asked for in the bill is $4,000 pei
annum. Another feature of the bin is
that the attorney general is not dependent
uron the contingent fund of the governor
for his travelling expenses. which has
been the case in the past.
| The passage of the bill, which Is gen.
orally predicted, will mark the Inaugural
ton of a forward step for the attorney
| generals department, and will give tha'
official a dignity. as the head legal of
ficer of the state, not heretofore pos
sessed. 1T will make the sixth state de
partment provided with fund to be ex
pended for the performance of the various
duties imposed.
The state tax commission has fund o
$4,000 at its disposal, which ia used IL
the employment of special men and 70
other duties and expenses. The commits
etn s.Fa e,rt,, 1,.r
fund of $4,000; the railroad commission
5000: contingent fund of the governor
} $4,000, and contingent fund of supern
tendent OF education, $4,000.