The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
HEARING GRANTED POULTRY SHQW TO FUR MRS. WALKER BE INCORPORATED
Next Meeting Set By City Commissioners-Subject
 Raises Controversy

Commissioner Mary Echols was the only woman in the council cham Der Thursday when the city commits sion took up the case of Mrs. c. c. Walker, whose discharge a week ago from City Comptroller Marvin Tay- lors office had brought protests from many quarters.
 After spirited debate the commis eion granted a written request by Mrs. Walker for a hearing. and she will appear at next Tuesdays session, not to ask for her job back, but to seek infarmation as to the exact cause of her discharge.
 President McLendon got the case before the commission by offering resolution upholding the comptroller's action in removing her. Commissioner Harrison then submitted Mrs. Walkers letter, which had been left In his office during the morning.
 "Too much already has been said about this case" MT. McLendon de- Jared. It became necessary for Mir. Taylor to relieve Mrs. Walker, and he acted with my full approval. ask the commission to follow tho usual custom and back up the department heads. No possible good can result from . hearing. We haven't time to take up tho case of every subordinate employe in this way. A hearing could only mean moro disgusting publicity and possible unplessantness for Mrs. Walker"
 Commissioner Harrison wanted to know if Mrs. Walkers removal was in any way connected with the re- cent Bell-Taylor controversy, in which the comptroller was exonerRted of charges. Comptroller Taylor To- piled that it was nos.
 Just what were the reasons for her discharge?" MT. Harrison asked.
 I'll tell" declared President Me Lsndon, springing to his feet. Thirty days after took office I learned that certain employees were disgruntled out who they were. I simply waited two years to make a change that should have been made as soon as l took office. It is unfair to revive tho Taylor-Bel charges-they have no connection with this affair.
 There was no complaint about Mrs. Walkers work. She was let out in order to promote harmony and eff ciency and she knows 1t as well as anybody. It has becn stated that she was fired because she was a woman. There Is not a word of truth in that, and most of the members of the League of Women Voters know it. They are not being fooled"
 Mrs. Echols asked City Attorney W. J. Wynn if the commission had the TiSnI ID Teluso MTS. WAlheE hearing.
 Tt has" the attorney ruled.
 Mrs. Echols urged tho commission to grant Mrs. Walkers request.
 Every man who has asked us for a hearing got it," she said. Now comes a woman and asks to be heard. ] respectfully urge the commission to grant the request and let her come before us Tuesday"
 Commission Dickson backed Presi- dent McLendon and declared a hear ing would do no good, but said he wanted to show every consideration to Mrs. Walker.
 T was impressed by Mir. McLerdon's statement about the case" MT. Dick son continued. He is right-we have got to have harmony in this city hall"
 Without further debate the commits sion deferred action on the McLendon resolution and instructed City Clerk Gray to notify Mrs. Walker that her request for hearing had been granted and that the commission would expect her to appear next Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock.