The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-21
LINES ARE NOT YET FIXED IN ENSLEY Excisemen Spent Very Busy
 Day Yesterday KNOTTY PROBLEMS Forced To Tell One Man Who AL ways Was Obedient To Law
 That He Is Too Far Out
 To Get License
KNOTTY PROBLEMS

With coats off and sleeves rolled up, the excise commissioners yesterday were as busy as bees. All during the day the three commissioners were busy deciding the innumerable questions constantly arising. At various times they received persons with information as to the un- usual situation at Ensley. They have not yet formulated any opinion definite ly although Commissioner Sydenham Moore said tentatively the commission had agreed upon the segregation, but with an idea of weighing carefully every phase of the proposition would withhold their opinion until some time today.
 The question at Ensley to the seGre- gation in that place has called for in- numerable protests and suggestions from the citizens of that city. So antagonistic have some of the phases of the proposi- ton become that the commissioners are trying their most sagacious plans to get the matter strengthened out to the satis- faction of all interests. To this end it Is probable that the commissioners Will make another nasty trip to Ensey to view the situation again personally and to meet any additional citizens desiring to make suggestions. It was given out by Mr. Moore for the commissioners that on account of the differences existing at Ensley the excise commission had not given out the lines for Bessemer, Vivian or Pratt City.
 Commissioner Moore said yesterday that it was a very difficult matter to turn down some of the men who had applied for licenses and that other questions came up that certainly tested the minds of the excise commissioners: Anyone who thinks this job is a snecure has only to come up here and go through this work a short time'' said Commissioner Moore yesterday.
 Why we have been forced to tell one of the most eligible men that he could not have license for operating a still house and selling at wholesale. l refer to W. A. Brown, who desires to operate his former still near No. T mine of the Tennessee company on the Jasper road The commissioners are of one mind that if any one Is entitled to a license he is. But fe Is somewhat resloved from the ordinary paths of men and too far out for ads tuate police protection. l am told that he operated still there for 12 years; that in that long period there occurred but one hsticuff. l understand also that he is man of character I told him l would be deeply pleased to grant him a | license but for the fact that he is some what out of the way.
 Such matters as that, where man was obedient to the law and when pro- hibtion started closed down tight and remained closed down, make 1t difficult to decide adversely to the man.
 MT. Brown, who was there when Com missioner Moore and Commissioner Will kinson said he should be granted a li- cense, but for his location, said T was obedient to the law. When they said stop l did that. If I had operated, l could have made a mint of money. It appears to me rather hard that l should now suffer when others do not
 The case of MT Brown is typical of vast number which will be up for de- cison by the commissioners. And ai- though seemingly hardship will result to some one the maxim will be to allow those to operate for the best good of the entire people.
 1t was announced yesterday that per haps Tuesday 10 or 20 applications would he passed upon. The commissioners. how ever, are going at that work very cau- tiously.