The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-02
CITY DETECTIVES
GIVEN PLAIN TALK
BY COMMISSIONER
Petty Jealousies and Alley
Conferences Must Cease,
States Mr.. Taylor
'STANCH SUPPORT IS
GIVEN BY COLLEAGUES
No Change Contemplated in City
Portfolio, 1t Is Authoritatively
Stated-City Commission Is
Working in Harmony

Members of the Birmingham detective
force, 26 In number, yesterday heard
Commissioner John H. Taylor make the
longest speech that has ever made when
he. had all plainclothes men in his de-
partment come into his office. He made
it very plain to them that there would
be some changes made in the personnel
Of the detective force If there were not
some immediate changes in the attitude
of the men toward their fellow workers
as well as their superior officers.
Il want 1t distinctly understood said
Commissioner Taylor, that am not 60
jealousies among the men of this de-
partment There has got to be cessa-
ton Of back-bitting among the men. !
want alley conferences to cease. Base
ment meetings are taboo from now on,
and there will be no liberation of re-
marks about superiors around this city
hall. II there is man here who ex-
poets to deal in that kind of business, /
want his resignation now. for it will save
him from getting the pink slip when I
learn of his actions.
on this force as ever trailed a criminal.
and as a whole 1 want to compliment
the men collectively and individually for
the work they are doing, but I know that
we can increase our efficiency and great
ly diminish crime if you men will work
together and aid each other instead of
keeping back any information that you
may have on a case in order to keep
the other fellow from getting the credit ;"
TO HAVE CLEAN HOUSE
The detective force has been somewhat
altered in the last few days, some men
having been changed to other branches
of the service, while one or two new men
have been added to the force The meet
ing was at the call of Commissioner Tay-
Tor, and indicates clearly that he intends
to have clean house, and that as soon
as possible.
Gossip around town to the effect that
Commissioner Taylor would be trans
ferred to another department. and his
portfolio as commissioner Of public safe
ty transferred to other shoulders. seems
to have met with an emphatic no, judg-
ing from the backing that every mem
Der of the commission is giving him, and
1t was stated at the city hall yester-
day by one who is In a position to know,
that no such move had ever been dis
published in an afternoon paper, follow
ing which a conference was held, and
Mr. Taylor given the stanch support of
every member of the commission, and
assured that he would be allowed to go
the limit to break up gambling and the
plying of the liquor traffic, as well as
other law violations. in Birmingham.
In fact, had such an idea been en-
tertained the question would naturally
have been raised: who will take John
Taylors placer" for there seems to be
such general satisfaction among the COM
mission members over their assignments
Commissioners IIornady has served one
term on his present assignment as com
missioner of education and public
health: Commissioner Brown is the only
lawyer on the board. so quite naturally
he would not be shifted from the depart
ment of public utilities, where his legal
training is necessary. This being the
case, the change would narrow down 10
Commissioner Burruss, who is an en-
sineer, and well adapted to the role OF
commissioner of public improvements and
streets, or to President Barrett, who is
elected to his job and could not be
changed. So, the question answers it.
self, if reason prevails, and the answer
is, there is not going to be any change