The age-herald., 1901-12-04
THIS IS B. SING ON
 POPULATION OF 38,415
Mayor Drennen Points Out That If Birmingham Could Have Just Count Percentage Would
 Be Very Small.

IS Lne SlOTy Ol CcilSuS blunder. Birmingham is declared to be the touchest city in the United States Not only is the Magic City said to be naughty, but wicked-the wickedest on this end of, the globe. And this because Birmingham. by the census bureau, Is given hardly half the population to which 1t is entitled
 The grievance comes in the shape of a story in the New York Herald which is printed herewith. The number of arrests Is figured on the basis of SS, 415 inhabit- ants, with the result that 25 per cent of the population was arrested last year.
 Mayor Drennen and Chief of Police Austin deny the truthfulness of the story and give the real facts in interviews printed below.
 Leads Band In Everything.
 Well, it shows that Birmingham is ahead in everything" said Mayor Dren- nen yesterday afternoon when shown the article in the New York Herald. How ever" continued MT. Drennen, q do not admit that Birmingham is the toughest
  centage or as a matter of fact. The arti- cle, I believe. shows that 25 per cent of our people are arrested annually for small crimes. This is based on a popua- tion of 3S.415, as shown by the census re- port, but that gives very little idea of the population of this city.
 The street car system of Birmingham handles a population of 10000 people, and as these people all come to this city to work, and to enjoy themselves when not at work. the percentage of arrests should be based on that number. The number of arrests mentioned Is 9626 and this would make the percentage S.7 when based on the correct population. Then. you see we are not so tough as the New Yorker would think.
 Law RigidIy Enforced.
 Another thing to be considered" said MT. Drennen, lis the law is rigidly en- York are not arrested for what they would be taken to prison for here. Ere quently men who are fighting in New York are separated and no charge Is ever made against them This Is also true as to persons intoxicated. In New York few persons are ever arrested for and convicted of gambling except just prior to elections. or when the Law and Or der League gets in its work. In that case attorneys have to be hired, as the city officials stand back.
 Another reason for the many arrests here is there are hundreds of convicts worked in this district and when they are turned loose some of them begin their evil work again. Such persons are sometimes arrested six and seven times the same year for petty thefts, dis orderly conduct and other similar crimes.
 Take a Look at Statistics.
 "As to more thieves being arrested in Birmingham than any city in the United States outside of New York. Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis. Boston, Balti- more, Cleveland, Buffalo and Washing ton I consider this city as ranking next to those. The New York writer says Birmingham could be placed in an odd corner of the cities mentioned and never be heard of. If he thinks so he ought to look at the tonnage reports of coal, iron and manufactured goods shipped from this city. Some of the cities in the list given would be discounted. Birming-
 
 for It's importance crops out everywhere and it's hustle and activity can not be downed."
 Statement Absolutely False.
 In regard to the Herald article Chief of police Austin said
 The statement is absolutely false and was written by some one who. had grudge against Birmingham. The char ity of the New York Herald should have commenced at home and her columns should have been devoted to taking care of the tough characters in New York. It is a we'll known fact that no where else in the world is there so much lawlessness and open faced vice as there is in New York.
 "The difference in New York and Brm- ingham Is that here the laws are enforced by the chief of police and in New York the chief Is tool of the Tammany gov ernment and has to do as the Boss dic- tates. We do not allow any breaking of the Sunday laws, and every gambler that we catch Is arrested and made to pay the penalty of his crimes.
 Arrests Sunday Law vioIators.
 Hardly a Sunday passes that I do not have to arrest some bartender for breaking the Sunday law. and in New York such a thing as a closed bar is un-