The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-19
REGULATION WILL
 BE NEXT PROBLEM Bills Will Be Introduced - Tuesday .,..-....., HOPE FOR HARMONY Montgomery and Mobile Will Insist on Open Saloons, While Dispen-
 sary Is Very Popular in
 Birmingham
HOPE FOR HARMONY
By BERRYMAN G. BETTY

Montgomery, February 1S.-(Special)- With the passage of the Parks bill, com hitting the state to the policy of local option, regulation bills will be introduced d
 in the house on next Tuesday. Local op- tionists regard the passage of the Parks bill through both houses of the legisla- ture as indicative of plain sailing for the regulation measures, and 1t is not antici- pated that these bills will meet with any serious opposition.
 The only difficulty will be in agreeing upon these latter measures Both houses hy a good majority have expressed them selves in favor of local option, but it IS known that there is great divergence of opinion in regard to the regulations to be imposed upon the dispensaries or other places licensed to sell liquor.
 It is regarded as certain, however that the majority of the local optionists prefer system of nigh liences, the amount varying from $500 to s5OOc per annum. This matter will probably be adjusted to the. satisfaction of all friends of local option, as there seems to be very gen. eral belief that there should be harmony among local optionists in order to main- tain the firm footing which the passage of the Parks bill assured them.
 What Sections Want Local Option
 A fact which has occasioned more or less comment Is the attitude of the varI- ous sections of the state on the subject Of local option. The Parks bill provides that an election may be held In any coun- ty in the state on the petition of 45 per cent of the qualified voters. This election may determine whether saloons or dis pensaries shall be established.
 It is believed that in a number of the counties in the state this election will not be held as there are many sections in the state that still favor prohibition. Lacking the signatures of 45 per cent of the qualified voters of these several sec tions to petitions for elections, the policy of prohibition will continue In certain counties in the state.
 On the other hand, there are cer- tain sections that want dispensaries. and if elections are held the majority of the qualified voters will ask that dispensaries be given them. It is be- lieved that only in a few counties of the state will the policy of open sa looms obtain.
 Montgomery and Mobile The counties in the state which ar the chief advocates of the open salooi. are Montgomery and Mobile. Birmins ham, the largest city in Alabama, will probably favor the dispensary, though there Is strong effort on foot in that city to establish saloons.
 There Is no doubt in regard to the sentiment on the liquor question in Montgomery and Mobile counties. Both of these counties want open saloons, and they will probably get them. The only question Is in regard to the num- Der of saloons which shall be estab- llshed in these counties and this mat ter will be determined by the regula- | ton bills.
 These bills will be introduced on next Tuesday and 1t is probable that the temperance, committee of the house
 will consider them that night There
 is a strong sentiment in favor of rush.