The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18
PERCY THINKS PROHIBITION
 HAS PROVED FAILURE HERE
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 ~~---~---~---~-----~-~~-~ passed upon by the approaching session of the legislature. And yet, what is the condition today? The majority of the people of Birmingham are opposed to the continuance of the prohibition laws. The governor. prosecuting attorney, mayor and chief of police have been selected for some years to come. When will there be a better enforcement of prohibition in Birmingham? When can we hope for a fairer trial? What other evidence can shed more light upon this experiment.
 Legalize the Sale
 "Expressing no opinion with refer cnce to other counties or other sec- tions. I am forced to the conclusion that there is but one way to drive the bling tiger out of Birmingham, and that Is by the legalized sale of alcoholic beverages. If we are again to legalize the sale of liquor, shall we go back to the sold laws and the old conditions, or strive to benefit by experience? Many good men advocate the dispensary for Birmingham. Others advocate the dis ptuSdTy IoE WnAShy dhd tiO AANChSSN oe@ looms for the sale of beer and light wines. Others advocate high license for whisky and low license for beer; and still others would solve the prob lem by prohibiting the sale of whisky except in packages. and encouraging the sale of beer. I believe certain fundamental principles should be rec ognized in legislating upon this subject. First should be considered the best method from social and a moral standpoint Of dealing with the admitted evil. The selfish interest of the brew CT and the liquor man is entitled to no legislative consideration. The raising of municipal revenue is of secondary not of primary. importance. I am op- posed to the dispensary for Birming- ham, either for the sale of all liquors, or for the sale of whisky alone, because I do not think 1t will meet the real demands of the people, and do not be- lieve 1t will root out the blind tiger. The people of Birmingham are accus- toned to that sort of personal liberty which prevails in other cities of this size. The dispensary does not fill the want of the man who wishes to take a drink in the old-fashioned way. be- lieve 1t would be difficult to conduct dispensaries in a city of this size with out graft and peculation. The sug- gestion of low license for beer and light wines Is the seductive and delusive whispering of the brewer The Amer ican people never have been, and never will be, drinkers to any extent of wines, either light or heavy. The sell fer of beer would probably furnish the black bottle in response to the knowing wink with even more alacrity and in- telligence than the conductor of the soft drink stand, and our people jeal- GUS of their personal liberty, will never respect law which seeks to decide the kind of liquor they drink.
 Looking again to the light of his- tory. Birmingham tried the high H. cense for saloons selling whisky and the low license for saloons selling beers. and the result was that prac- tically everybody took out the low H. cense and sold everything. There Is no influence whose potency, persuasive. ness and folly more fear in shaping legislation on this subject than the in- fuence- of the brewers.
 Conditions in Other Cities
 T realize the reluctant distaste with which many of our people will view the re-opening of the saloon, but know of nu municipality of the size of Birming- ham. either in this country or abroad. where the sale of liquor Is better regu- lated in any other manner. Personally. believe in the legalizing of the retail sa- loon for the sale. without distinction. of wines, whisky and beers. I believe that