The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-21
CHAMBER STARTS
 WAR ON FEES FOR
 GOOD OF THE CITY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5.)
 -~~>~~~~~-~-~----~~-- things that occurred during the strug- gle to get for Birmingham that territory which justly belonged to her, but we celebrate a realization of the fact that we have within her limits (which are none too large) a splendid population of good citizens, and many industrial plants and business enterprises to give employment to these people, to enaoie them to sustain themselves; also to con sioer and advise with each other what we shall do within the next ten years and what shall be our population ana our commercial and industrial strength In 1920.
 "A realization of this additional terri tory and increased population was ln- evitable. It was to come from force or necessity. hut had it not been for the mower and influence of this club the time would have been deferred-how long, we know not, for the opposition was, lhueeo' strong-so strong as to defer the con summation much longer than It snouio have been. During the great struggle for this achievement some of us cusseo and got cussed but today we are frienos and neishbors and are well nigh unani- nous in singing songs of joy and praise over this, the greatest industrial city or the south. We are not quite ready to crow over Atlanta, but can say 10 ner get a move on you, or we will throw aust in your face long before the 1920 post IS reached
 "No. Mir President, let us turn seri- ous thought to the present and future.
 Enforcement of Laws
 we have an upright, honorable, able and ambitious young man as mayor or this great city, and so far as l know our council Is composed of honest, iai.hlui and patriotic men, who give muen oA their time to the business of the public, without compensation or reward. but for the glory that Is in it. We have, as the selection of the people, county and city officers to administer and enforce the laws of our state and city. We have some laws that are not enforced, but which should be- We have some laws on our statute books that never were and never will be enforced.
 Public sentiment is the only power that enforces law, or demands non enforcement of the law. This champer IS not law-making or law-enforcing body hut we can mould public sentiment. As an example of what public sentiment can do T refer to an effort on the part of Jefferson county in attempting to enforce the law which forbids the women Wno inhabit the red light district from resio- ing anywhere in Alabama. If this law was enforced these unfortunate cfea- lures would have to move on to some other place other than the United states for every state has similar laws to those of Alabama, forbidding women of i'll fame from living within It's borders. but nublic sentiment says, Do not enforce this law, and a fair expression on the sub feet was manifested when the sheriff ar rested a great number of these girls and dragged them through the streets of Bir- mingham, casting them into prison-not even allowing them the privilege of max ing bond for their appearance unlii the turnkey fees had been earned. The Pas tors union refused to approve these ar rests--the people were indignant. Fupnc sentiment was aroused and In response there the 165 cases were mol pressed, on motion of Solicitor Hefiin, by Judge Samuel L. Weaver. judge or the criiiiihal court of Jefferson county.
 There is public sentiment in favor of enforcing law against the commission of many crimes, and it Is sometimes so strong that technicalities and ene law delay prompts a people to take the law into their own hands and execute with out judge or jury. It Is unfortunate that we must have some laws, the enforce ment of which is not supported by puplic sentiment We hear of the old blue laws that prohibit man from Kissing his wife on Sunday. I was in New Or leans few years ago when goody-good wave swept over the town, and you could not purchase a cigar on Sunday except on the sly). They told me that there was an attempt being made to enforce the old blue laws I did not remain to see how long this movement was packed by public sentiment, but imagine that more men than just the bad, bad ones liked to smoke and kiss their wives on Sundays Some laws should not be en- forced and the officers of the law are supposed to use some discretion in regard to same
 Scarcity of Labor
 "It has come to me recently that there is scarcity of labor in this district, notwithstanding the fact that many or our furnaces and industrial plants are idle. A conference was held. and self appointed committee formed to inquire into the cause or causes of this scarcitS of labor AS chairman of that commN- tee I wrote several officials of the fn- dustrial corporations as to their views on the subject, as to the causes, etc, and now read you replies from two of these gentlemen. which are as follows:
 Dear Sir-Referring to the little meet ing which we held in the Chamber of Commerce building on last Saturday. "'You have probably noticed the re- cent Instructions issued by Chief of Po- lice Bodeker, from which it appears his intention has been called to some of the matters under consideration, and has all ready given instructions to the men un- der him to be more careful In the use of firearms and to make fewer arrests in trivial cases.
 " You may also have noticed in the public press that Judge Fort on last Sat urday released 20 men who had been ar rested for gaming. and in releasing them, stated that there was really no case against them. as they had not been gam ing in public place. Apparently, these men were arrested without color of law and had committed no offense whatever"