The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
AN IMMENSE CROWD
 JAMS COURTROOM
 TO HEAR TESTIMONY
Mayor Lewis and Chief Wal lace Among Witnesses Testifying - Affidavits Introduced as to Alleged Beating of Negro Pris- OnerS
Ny ELLIS c. HoLLuMs

Ny ELLIS c. HOLLUMs Bessemer. September s0.-tspecinl) After n preliminary skirmish of about aO miuutes' duration between Solicitor Ben G. Perry and the police comult- tee of the Bessen,cr city council at the courthouse here tonight. the commit tee by It's own vote decided to permit committee of disinterested citizens hear the evidence md submit recom- mendations to the city council of Bcs- semcr to the conduct of the Bes- semer police department and the in- dividuaI conduct of members of that body, nnd of the police committee. The probe Of police affairs of Bess~mer Is the result of recent sensational charges of graft and incompetency made by a Jefferson county grand jury.
 The hearing was to have been held at the city hall but the crowd was so large that hardly half of them could obtain even standing room there and the com mitte adjourned to the courthouse in order to have more room. At that the room was crowded to the doors All the windows were filled, and the fire es- capes and the hall and stairs. Solicitor Perry introduced a resolution to the effect that members of the police committee were disqualified to serve sss l judges of tho testimony to he given at the hearing by virtue of the fact that every member of the committee would be called upon to testify. Therefore. he requested that the committee name two men. the solicitors office to name two men. and the four chosen to name a fifth to compose the committee of judges and proceed with the investigation. Com missioners George Ross. Moss Crotwel and J. F. Milton opposed this resolution, the other three committeeman favoring it. Dr. J. S. Winters, chairman of the board. cast the deciding vote and the motion was carried.
 Compromise Body Named
 Upon motion Dr. Winters named the two men to represent the police con,- mittee. naming Lee Moody and James Martin. Lee Moody was not present. and Dr. Winters named J. r, Cannon to serve in his stead. Solicitor Perry, rep resenting Solicitor Black, named Dave Powell and Dr. k. P. Lacey. The four thus named selected Dr. William Wal drop. and Dr. Lacey was selected chair man of tho board.
 J. Reese Murray arose after the com mittee had called the session to order. and wanted to know if the testimony to be given would be of a character that would be admitted to a court of law. "a interested parties, During the investi- gation Officer Maddox of the Bessemer police department stood behind MT. Mur- ray and coached him to questions to ask witnesses.
 MT. Murray was told by Dr. Lacey that evidence of any character would be ad- mitted; that the committee was not by any means trying anyone; that it only intended to get all the facts it could concerning the Bessemer police depart ment and submit them to the Besse- mer city council with recommendations.
 MT Murray filed his objections to the proceedings. and Dr. Lacey told the solici- tor to proceed
 Mir Perry and MT. Ross had conver- sational tilt prior to the adoption of the resolution stripping the police committee of power in the Investigation, and AL derman Crotwel sided with Mr. Ross. After the committee had been named pr. Winters took 8 seat near the witness stand. MT. Crotwell arose and said ex- temporaneously that the police commit tee had neither hired nor fired anybody on the Bessemer police f0rce Mir. Perry started to answer him and MT. Crot- well began to interrupt the solicitor.
 "Aw, come down. Crot. and let the other crowd take the stand" laughingly said Dr. Winters from his place in the audi ence. And amid laughter and cheers from the audience Mr crotwell came down.
 Murray Asks PostpOnement
 ]. Reese Murray protested against the investigation proceeding. saying that he had not had time to prepare his data and see all the men interested in the case; that member of the police com mittee had informed him that the hear ing tonight would be but preliminary to the real investigation. and therefore. he wanted stay in the proceedings until he had time to prepare for the case. The crowd in attendance laughed heartily when. Murray said member of the com mittee had told him the hearing would be but preliminary. and he told the com mittee that he was willing to proceed.
 MT. Murray continued to talk, however. and finally pr. Lacey arose and said: We can stay here and listen to technicalities all night and never get anywhere. think we had better get started"
 MT. Murray's voice was drowned in the clamor from the crowd and amid laughter. cheers and misses the investi- gation began.
 Mayor l. A. Lewis was the first wit ness. and Solicitor Perry questioned him. The testimony of Mayor Lewis was in regard to q note Patrolman Maddox 10 alleged to have made and which Mayor Lewis admitted indors- ing along with other gentlemen. The mayor said he did not know to whom the note was payable. as there were 
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