The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-14
REPRESENTATIVE M'DONALD Who Has Plan to Provide High License Saloons Without Election

spoken as to what they desire and that he is willing to take the responsibility of granting well regulated saloons rather than a dispensary and without an elec- ton to determine the question.
 His statement sizing up the situation follows:
 "In the last few days I have been ask ed by a large number of our best citi- zens whether or not a liquor bill for Jefferson county would be passed by the legislature. That bill can and should be passed is, unfortunately, the only answer that I was able to make.
 ''I feel that l. together with our sen- ator, and the other members of the house, was sent to Montgomery for the purpose, among other things, of passing laws which would change the present abominable whisky conditions in Birm ngham, and give to the city a limited number of high licensed well regulated saloons, under the control of an excise commission composed of at least three of our best citizens. l have worked with this object in view, and I am quite sure
 
 not only be accomplished, but accom- plshed without an election.
 "I should dislike very much to see the people of Jefferson county forced into prohibition election; it is absolutely unnecessary and unwise and would only result in causing business injury and popular unrest.
 .I consider that the people have more than once spoken on this subject, and l. for one. am willing to take the erspon- sibility of settling this problem in the legislature.
 T believe that dispensaries, with or without beer and wine rooms, would be quite as bad morally as our present con- dtions. Under this system blind tigers would continue to flourish, and im-i moral and corrupting influences continue to debauch our young men,
 "I do not desire to criticise any of the members of our delegation, but I feel quite sure that if MT. Morrow, MT. Mol ton and Mir Percy would agree on bill similar to the one introduced last week by MT. Judge, that this vexed question could be settled without further delay.
 q understand that MT. Morrow wants dispensaries and beer and wine saloons, and that Mir Percy and MT. Notion want high license and regulated saloons without an excise commission.
 MT Morrow's bill does not contemplate an excise commission, and to have dis pensaries and beer saloons established all over greater Birmingham with no commission to regulate same, would, it seems to me, be a monumental blunder
 "I do not believe that the Birmingham commissioners, with all the other work and responsibility before them, could satisfactorily control this business.
 Tt is argued that the governor might not make good appointments; I believe he would, for he must know that unless good men are put on the commission 1t would doubtless be a failure.
 What guarantee have we that when the terms of the city commissioners to be appointed have expired, that In an election the people will give us good men? We have not in the past always elected the best men to office in Birm- ingham.
 'I feel that my duty Is clear in this matter. and win or fall, I shall do what I can to give to the city of Birmingham high licensed and regulated saloons. for I believe that this is what the majority of the voters desire"