The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-03

= harmony was the prevailing note. =
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Montgomery, February 2.-(Special) JAS
to whether or not the members of the
legislature are in favor of the liquor
bill introduced this morning by Repre-
sentative w. T. Parks of Andalusia, de-
pends absolutely on whether or not the
members are in favor of local option.
THOSE who collaborated in drawing up
the bill, Mr.. Parks, Mr.. Pitts of Dallas
and Mr. Arnold of Calhoun. worked on
the theory that the reason for the differ
ences of opinion existing in the house was
not due to opposition to local option,
but to the regulations which have gem
orally been attached to local option meas
ures. 80
Therefore, the bill introduced this
morning was shorn of everything which
tcnds to regulate. Nothing is said in ref
erence to the grade of liquor that might
be sold; nothing is said in reference to
excise commissions; there is no provisions
limiting the number of drinks that each
man may consume within the space of
a hours.
In ordinary language, it simply provides
that the people of each county. petition
ing the probate Judge of the county in
force of one-third of the qualified voters
bascd on the vote cast in the next pre-
ceding election for governor-shall have
the right to vote on prohibition or dispen-
sary. or prohihition and licensed saloons.
s'sT RrrsySrttos< Wiz ce-ne =. !.
Naturally following the formal express
sion of the house as to It's favor Of local
option. regulations will be provided 1t is
considered necessary that saloons be re-
stricted, that the grade of liquor to be
retailed be of the highest type, that the
liquor business in each county and city
be. governed by some body named or
elected, that the proceeds be prorated be-
tween the state, county and city on an
equitable basis, and that other matters
appertaining be provided for by legal
enactment.
Therefore, when the house has passed
this local option bill, then work will be
begun on bill of regulations. 1t is now
believed that when local option is passed,
each county, through its representatives.
will be allowed to make its own regula-
tions.
When the new bill was introduced this
morning by Mr.. Parks, Mr.. Pitts, who
aided in drawing the BILL moved that as
it was short and to the point the clerk
be instructed to read 1t before its refer
ence to the temperance committee. The
clerk proceeded to read and he was given
rapt attention. 1t was then sent to the
committee on temperance.
The bill is significant for the reason
house at any time, Are you in favor of
local option?" it would be answered in
the affirmative. according to the best
opinion.
Three Pending Bills
At the present time, therefore, there are
three bills in the hands of the commit
tee on temperance, the object of each of
which is the repeal of the prohibition
statutes and the substitution of local op-
tion throughout Alabama
The first is known as the Smith bill. 1t
provides that elections lnay be called in
every county of the state following the
petition of 20 per cent of the qualified
voters of counties of population greater
than $4,000, and following the petition of
more than so per cent of the qualified
voters of counties of population less than
$4,000. Incorporated in the bill are regu-
lations.
The second is the Screws BILL intro
duced yesterday In the senate. This is,
as q matter of fact, twin bill, provid-
ing as it does for local option elections,
and at the same time providing for the
regulation of the traffic The Screws
bill provides for city units, and another
exceedingly liberal feature is the pro-
vision that there shall be one saloon for
every 500 people. Should this bill be en-
acted into law, Birmingham could l.
cense 265 saloons.
The third bill Is the Parks bill
which has just been explained. In the
hands of the temperance committee OF
the senate is the general dispensary
bill Of Senator Moody, introduced dur
Ing the first week of the legislatures
{ being. Senator Moody's bill is the only
) out-and-out dispensary bill which has
been introduced.
Battle Expected Next Week
The temperance committee of the
house will hold meeting tomorrow
morning at which further progress will
be made In preparation for report
to the house.
1t is expected that some bill will
be reported favorably early next week.
To date there has been nothing more or
less than desultory firing by the local
op4ionfsts. The prohibitionists have
joined in the skirmishing bravely and
willingly and with apparent determin-
alton.
Next week. however. us soon as the
entire local option strength can be
marshalled into one solid phalanx the
big battle. to be the feature of this
session of the legislature, will be
Joined.
The local optionists are feeling the
strength of the opposition. The prohi-
bitionists are saying nothing. but are
awaiting the attack The general be-
lief is that the entire hope of the lat
! ter contingent depends absolutely on
Ar'hether or not the local optionists
ban agree on any specific bill or meas
ure.