The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-11
WARD AND DRENNEN
LUNCH TOGETHER
Former Mayor Drops in from
BIount Springs
HAD HEARD THINGS THERE
Somewhat Disturbed BY Enforcement
of vaeraney Law-Talked With
Mayor Ward over the Phone.
"still at Large"
HAD HEARD THINGS THERE

Mayor Ward and former Mayor Drennen
took luncheon together yesterday after
noon.
The mayor that was was the host-the
mayor that is, the guest.
And thereby hangs a tale.
Mr.. Drennen arrived in town in the
morning on a train from Blount Springs.
Before he left that summer resort he was
told by City Attorney Ed Smith and AL
derman Cooper that Mayor Ward was on
the rampage after Migrants and that If
he didn't look he'd likely land in the
calaboose when he got to Birmingham
and be given a free ride to the city jail.
Mayor Drennen, in reply asked if that
was the reason why Alderman Cooper
and the city attorney had left the city.
He nevertheless kept the suggestion in
mind when he took the train for Bir-
mingham. As soon as he got here yester-
day morning he called up the mayors
office. Private Secretary Pepperman an
swered the phone.
rs the mayor in, Peppermint" asked
Mr.. Drennen.
yes, he is, Mr. Drennen.' said Pep
perman, "and you'd better watch out.
He's given orders that everyone who isn't
at work and has no visible means of sup
port shall be arrested ON a charge of
vagrancy. You know I'm your friend, Mr..
Drennen. and I'd hate TO see you locked
up on a charge of vagrancy, and you
know you're out of a job now and some
of these policemen in their zeal to enforce
the law might nab you and ring for the
police patrol. If you do get arrested. Mr.
Drennen, let me know and I'll see if
can't get Dick Gambill and Walter Moore
to go your bond''
THANK you, Pepperman,' said the
Mayor New, let me talk to the Mayor.
Hello Is that you, Mr.. Mayor?
Yes? Well. this is Mel Drennen."
why, hello, Nell When did you get
in?' said Mayor Ward.
Got in few moments ago-came down
from Blount."
Good How are your
'F'irst-rate; but what's all this 1 hear
about you arresting vagrants?"
Just enforcing the law-thats ALL"
WELL say. 1 don't know about that.
l mean l er-I er-I er-don't quite UNI
derstand Say that over again.
Just enforcing the law as 1 find it
written-that's all"
well, l know, said Mr.. Drennen
but. say, I've been thinking about this
thing, and I don't know but what I
come under that law myself now that
I've quit the mayors office What do you
think about it?''
THAT'S easily determined" said Mayor
Ward.
"How's that?"
well" explained Mayor Ward "if
you've got job you're all right. If you
haven't got a job and are found on the
streets the police will of course enforce
the law and arrest you. We can't play
favorites, you know. The law must be
uniformly enforced
well, I say, George That's all right,
but you see I've been off on vacation
and haven't got my bearings yet. I've
been looking for a job and I've got a
good chance now to land one, but just at
this time I'm up against it-no job and
no visible means of support. wish
you'd tell the chief to go slow on me till I
| can cast about and find out where I'm
at"
'I'll take the matter under advise
ment." said the Mayor
''Wen. say. I'm going up to Campbells
now to lunch. What's the matter with
your meeting me there and having bite
with me-"
'Td like to have a bite to eat said the
Mayor, land l wouldn't mind eating with
you in my personal capacity. but OF
course. it would never do for the. Mayor
in his official capacity to take luncheon
with anyone who might be ARRESTED on a
charge of vagrancy.'
Exactly" said Mr. Drennen. well,
YOU meet me at AL Campbell's and take
lunch with me in your personal capacity.
Then We'll talk this thing over
1t was good luncheon that "Ai' put
up for the two men. Drennen paid for
it, At a late hour last night the former
Mayor had not been arrested.
Il am still at large" said the Mayor,