The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-13
RICHARD BELL IS
 SENT ID PRISON Is Held In Contempt By Judge
 Thomas C. Jones HE REFUSES TO ANSWER Saloon Men of Montgomery Will Con tlnue to Keep Open Restaurants
 After O'Clock at Night.
 Will Contest.
HE REFUSES TO ANSWER

Montgomery, February 12.-(Special.)- Because Richard Bell, merchant of Hartford, refused to answer questions in the bankruptcy court today, Judge Thomas c. Jones ordered him to jail for 10 days for contempt of court The refusal to answer grew out of a desire to refrain from telling what became of certain goods of bankrupt firm.
 Will Not Close at g O'Clock.
 The saloon men who have restaurants attached are not going to close up whole shop at o'clock, even if 1t is evident that they are to be indicted for violation of the early closing law. This much Is indicated by number of them this morn ing. It Is generally conceded that hotels are not touched by the ruling that places where liquors are stored must be closed with the coming of the first quarter watch of the night
 John Young, whose place is an apt il- lustration of the case in point, said this morning that he would continue to keep his restaurant open and his bar screened off after o'clock at night. He did not care to say what course he would pursue if he is indicted, though he intimated that if pushed to the wall he would find way to protect himself. It is his desire, he said, to fully obey the law. His record in business indicates as much but he did not think he ought to be forced out of business.
 It is understood that the local saloon men, now that they are to be pushed to the wall, will join in the fight being made by Mobile and other places to break down the act, believing that it is so dangerous to the restaurant business as to almost kill it. There is a case pending in the su- preme court in which the law is attacked, and the belief Is that it can be broken down when it is shown that it works to the detriment of the men even who are trying to keep the spirit of 1t.
 Women Stirred Up.
 The members of the various womens societies are much exercised over the proposition of the city to tear away the fountain in Court square, one of the landmarks of history from the war time past In order that they may be heard, three of them will be allowed to address the council at the regular meeting next Monday night in opposition to the removal of the fountain. The proposition Is to put the fountain on the front of the capitol grounds when they are finally worked over.
 For River Wharf. The finance committee of the City Coun- cil has approved a resolution looking to the building of a wharf and warehouse at the Alabama river bank. The city en- gineer has been instructed to draw Up plans The business men have been at work on this idea for some time.
 For Rifle Practice.
 Col. J. G. Ewing, inspector general of rifle practice of the Delaware National Guard is in the city for few days, having come to have a look into the con- dtions of the Alabama troops. While here he had a number of talks with Gen. Bibb Graves, adjutant general of Alabama, with regard to rifle practice.
 After the Cigarettes.
 The local Salvation Army corps Is at work to break up the practice of cigarette smoking and is urging those with whom the workers come in contact to sign pledge to quit. The movement Is general with the army all over the country.