The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-19

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 Ask any ten lawyers in Birmingham this question:: What is the crime most prevalent in the courts of Jefferson coun- ty today?" Nine out of the ten will an swer:
 l Ask: Does it exist on the part of any practicing attorneys in Birmingham? The very question eicits surprise, and d certain sort of smile.
 "Of course,'' is tie reply.
 Of course It exists on the part of certain attorneys: frequently on the part of sworn witnesses. This does not state "all" It says on the part of some. | The fake damage suit business and the groundless, trivial cases needing high and mighty bolstering to put them before the jury have gone along in the courts so many years without check or hindrance, that, of themselves they have bred by this time certain peculiar and nause- ating atmosphere tn the legal world of the Birmingham district. Is the Birmingham Bar association in- directly responsible for this condition? Has it ever lifted hand or voice in pro- l test?
 What Does It Stand For? Has it code of ethicsf Is it potent farce for good and wholesome influence in this community and in the legal world of Birmingham? sYA4 What results have been accomplished | ID; ID n organization? These questions are put publicly to the officers and members of the association. Will they answer pub licly?
 There is deep need now for plain speak ing. Slowly and subtly an undercutting process has been at work under every business concern and interest in Birming- ham, and widespread disaster Is threaten- ing. Perjury and sharp practice have been, and are leading the day.
 These protests are written solely against the evil conditions thatAe exist here, not alleged evils" as Mr. Torgerson calls them, but straight out Evils. They are directed not against our highrclass attor- neys and judges, but solely against the cads and scalawagsl of the profession. The purpose of these articles let us say, is not to call the righteous, but the sim ners to repentance.
 l There is absolutely no reason whatso- ever for misunderstanding, or for a misinterpretation of a single one of these articles, if they are intelligently read, in the lines, and between the lines, as well.
 Tall Oaks From Little Acorns
 Literature on the subject seems, indeed. to be growing apace- of late. There are for the consideration of the Birmingham public thus far seven distinct letters and articles dealing with the subject from lccal attorneys, published in The Age Herald, as follows: Isadore Shapiro. February 5; R. l.. Williams, February il; White E. Gibson, February Il; Isadore Shapiro, February 12; J. Howard Perduei February 12; Edwin Torgerson. February 12 R. l.. Williams, February Is.
 Now, as to the first letter from MT. VII. Hams. The question occurring most i'm mediately to the reader of aforesaid let ter is: Has Mr. Williams a sense ol humor, or hasn't hep
 He says in reference to these much abused articles, articles purporting tt be written by, etc."
 Why ''purporting?"
 Does MT. Williams think she didn't do it herself? Didn't think her owr thoughts? Didn't write her own writing Didn't speak her own speech? Or be he own being Does he?
 A General Complaint
 There's a considerable lot of this ''pur porting sound in most of the letters, ant alleged" If it be true,'' admitted fol the purpose of argument said to be. perhaps, might not, yet altogether are ct cetera.
 That's logic.
 Legal logic?
 Alas! That a woman Is not a Nogician
 She is assured by his-friends that MT Williams is a most delightful gentleman and an excellent lawyera
 She finds that this, his first letter becomes all the more charming the mor, 1t is read. Listen, MT. wiliams-sinct your most acute objection is concerning the animals brought into the controversy please listen: I She did not mean that you and thost like you were ,weasels. ct al. She said to quote the precise words of the article (Age-Herald, February 8 that; "donkeys jaclSals coyotes, weases-all that kind are rampant in the law business" " ant she distinctly states also in other pro fessions and trades, in Birmingham al we'll. And so in fact, they are, all fovel the fair green earth. She says it again Do you meapgto say, MT. Williams. thal foresaid- sfafement Is nof A fact 2