Evening star., 1909-04-12

The warden Of the Jail reports falling
of OF between 40 and 80 per cent In the
average number Of his guests during the
year.
Effect on Industry.
Mayor Ward does not agree with Mr.
Mcqueen in his statement about the num-
ber of empty houses.
There are no vacant houses in Birm-
ingham today" said he, except "a few
old shacks that nobody would live in II
they could get anything else. and no one
has the right to say that q single de-
sirable citizen has left Birmingham or
has been kept away because the personal
liberties of the people have been restricted
by the prohibition law. While we have
not increased In population during the
last year. we have held our own. and
other towns have been running behind:
We have had q panic and two months
experience with one Of the worst strikes
that ever happened in the country last
summer on top Of prohibition, yet busi-
ness has not fallen off and building has
increased. The new capital invested in
Birmingham during the year 1903 amount
ed to 1901 100. an increase OF $3,39OOOO
over 1907, which was a record year.
.'The report of the building department
shows that 1.1O4 permits for new build
ings were issued in 1908. representing a
total value Of $2,546. SO. as compared with
1,147 permits. valued at $1,918. .2O5. issued
in 1907; an increase OF 81 permits, rep
resenting an investment Of $62S. S.314. Some
of the finest buildings for business pur-
poses and for residences that we have in
Birmingham were erected during the first
year Of prohibition.
Good Effect on Workmen.
Several Of the managers of large man.
ufactories here, who opposed the prohibi-
ton law because they were afraid 1t
would cause an exodus from the city OF
the intelligent and valuable workingmen
have changed their opinion. and frankly
admit that their fears were without foun-
dation. Frank H. Crockard, general man
ager of the Tennessee Coal and Iron
Company, which employs more men than
any other company In the south, was OPP
posed to prohibition for the reasons /
have stated, but / have heard him say
recently that the law has produced a good
steady at their work and do not go of
on sprees any more: they are more con-
tented and less liable to guilt and look
for other jobs because their families
and wives are better OF; and have moth,
children get the benefit Of the money
they formerly spent for drink. The man
ager of the street car company tells me
that there was smaller number or acci-
dents, both to passengers and employees.
during ISoo tidlt CSCi OoAoe' AN -
half as many suits for damages growing
out of accidents which are usually caused
by the uncertain foothold or carelessness
of men who have been drinking.
1.-The only business in Birmingham that
has suffered from the enforcement of the
prohibition law" continued Mayor Ward,
s'are the liquor stores and saloons. Two
distilleries and one brewery have shut
down entirely and the employees dis
charged. We have another brewery
which is now making ice. We have lost
quite a number of our population who
were connected with these liquor inter-
ests, but no Others"
Loss Of Revenue.
"How much have you suffered in the
loss of revenue?" asked.
1--WE have lost $125,O0O revenue from
LIQUOR licenses and $4,000 from the fall
ing OF in police court fines. This deficit
was made up by personal taxes and IL
cense fees, SO that, although the expendi-
lures for public purposes were more lib
erai in 1908 than ever before, the net
deficit was only $13.595."
rs there much unlawful trafic?"
asked
According to the federal collector of
internal revenue III persons are licensed
to sell liquor in the city of Birmingham.
as against 312 before prohibition went
into effect. So far as we know, these are
all druggists, who require alcoholic spirits
In making up prescriptions. ! know of
no other persons selling liquor in this
town. although we are constantly arrest
ing persons for violation of the law"