The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-17
SYSTEM HAS
PROVED A FAILURE
This Practical Admission of
Prominent Tuscaloosans
DISPENSARY rs FAVORED
Many Believe .Di.pen.ary would Win
Were Election HeId-rhe Police
Docket for Ten Years shows
Interesting Facts
by WALTER HARPER

M WALlEb hAhfCh
Tuscaloosa, June 16.-(Special)A
There is hardly any question but that
the people of Tuscaloosa would vote
for the re-esta blishment of theS dis-
pensary If given the opportunity al
the polls.
AS 1 said in my first article of this
series from Tuscaloosa a majority OF
the prob ibitionists seem to be indlf-
ferent about the matter and would
not seriously oppose such an under
taking.
More than one honest apd conscien-
tious prohibitionist has confessed to
me that serious doubts are entertained
listing prohibition laws. They insist
that they would not vote for the re-
turn of the dispensary or for the re-
opening of saloons but If either sys-
tenn is to exist the dispensary is much
more to be preferred.
l did not talk to a single prohi-
bitionist who was outspoken against
the dispensary and is anxious to sec
the present conditions continued.
They would like to see the present
prohibition laws enforced but IL they
cannot be they seem ready to acquiesce
in some plan that will secure the best
results
prohibitionists who are ready to sup
port the return of the dispensary, de-
claring that this system has been tried
and seems to offer the best solution
to the question. There are but few
people who desire the return of the
open saloon.
Mayor Faux Talks
DR.. w. M. Faulk, the present mayor.
and who was for two years during the
operation of the dispensary, said: THE
dispensary, in my opinion, offers the
best solution of the liquor problem.
Besides securing the minimum of bad
results the financial advantages to the
town and county are certainly worth
considering.
at seems to be impossible to con.
troll, the Illegal sale of liquors and to
prevent the lawlessness that naturally
follows. If the community Is to be
burdened with the necessary expense
of these evils through the courts and
other agencies of government admins
ration they should certainly be made
to bear part of that burden in a tax
of some kind.
"If certain amount of money Is to
be wrung from the pockets of the town
or county for liquor some method
should be adopted to keep part of that
money at home. / believe that ma
jority of the, people of Tuscaloosa
county would today vote for the re-
establish ment of the dispensary.''
ZifAri Shirley, the incoming mayor
of Tuscaloosa, who will take his seat
October 1. is a lifelong prohibition
list. He has always stood on that side
of this question and is still an advo-
cate of strict prohibition but he is
not enthusiastic over the condition that
exists In this community at the present
time.
MayOr-Elect Shirley
He saidi II have always been prohi-
bitionist and would still vote for pro-
hibition as a principle, but I am free
to confess that the apparent impossi-
bility of enforcing the law to any prac-
teal extent is rather discouraging. The
dispensary has some very good features
and 1 am not sure but that 1t would
remedy some of the evils that exist un-
der the prohibition system.
1.-The dispensary closes at night and
on Sunday. The blind tiger never
closes. The dispensary will not sell
to minors and drunkards. The blind
tiger recognizes no law, moral or hui
manitarian. The dispensary is much
better than the open saloon. It's rev.
enue making qualities are not to be
despised, though I would not advocate
the operation of a dispensary as a
money maker. The only ground upon
which I night ever favor the dispen-
sary would be that 1t might regu-
late and reduce the amount of LIQUOR
sales"
DIR. Bingham Talks
DR.. w. e. Bingham, one of the prom
inent business men OF the city. and nom.
inee for president of the city council, said
Il have. always been a prohibitionist and
would still vote the prohibition ticket. O,
|
liquor In any form. However, there seems
to be considerable violation of the prohi.
bfuon laws here. as 1 suppose there IL
everywhere. You can never enforce any
law to the letter.
Il confess that the people seem to be
very much dissatisfied and are consider.
ing some other method of controlling the
traffic. 1 do not know what is the best
method. / earnestly desire the absolute
restriction of the traffic IL 1t is possible.
II will say this If Birmingham. Mont
gomery or any other city in Alabama au.
thorfzes the sale of liquor in any form,
do not believe the people of Tuscaloosa
will be satisfied to continue the prohibi.
ton system. 1t would be suicidal ant
farcical.
In this event would much prefer tn.
dispensary to saloons in Tuscaloosa
However, I will not say that would vote
for a dispensary. want 1t understood
that am opposed to the sale of liquor II
any form.
1T Is utterly impossible to enforce thu
prohibition laws without the backing o.
public sentiment. 1t is my honest opinion
that the recent upcalled-for fight for {