The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-24
Chairman ]. '. Smith Will Introduce IL As a Con-
 mittee Bill
BIRMINGHAM WOULD
 BENEFIT MINED ATELY
Senator Morrow VIII Soon Introduce Bill Providing for Dispensary In Connection With Beer Bullets
 in Jefferson County
BY HUGH ". ROBERTS

Montgomery, January 2s.-l lspecial)-In the campaign against statewide prohibit ton, the big gun will be fired tomorrow. The general local option bill, bearing the stamp of approval of Governor ONeal, has been completed.
 J. V. Smith of Montgomery, chairman of the temperance committee of the house, will introduce the bill as a committee bill.
 Tn the drawing of the bill many prom inent members of both houses of the leg islature collaborated
 The final touches were attached at il o'clock tonight, after consultation in the quarters of the governor, lasting from 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
 According to Chairman Smith. who after the conference made a statement for The Age-Herald, the bill is broad and con- sections of the state as near as possible that form of legislation which the sec ticns desire. One feature of the bill is that no city of less than 10000 people can profit from its provisions.
 In case cities of population less than 10000 desire to wrggle from under the oppression of statewide prohibition. they will have to do so through local bills.
 This course. according to MT. Smith, was necessary on account of the fact that many members of the legislature in favor of giving big communities immediate re- lief, would have opposed measure which at the same time would have established saloons in their communities.
 This Is especially true as concerns the representatives in the house and the sen ate from the sixth district ts
 Smith Discusses Bill
 s"The bill is conservative," stated Chair man Smith, ''and follows in line with the tenor of the governors message.
 ..It is not a whisky bill but local op- ton bilI though under its provisions Bir- mingham. Montgomery and Mobile, in the classification of large cities. will profit almost Immediately
 .It is impossible tonight to make de- tailed statement as concerns the many provisions of the bill, but suffice 1t to say that 1t Is in accordance with the governors message. and in its prepara- ton many prominent leaders of both houses collaborated.
 "It Is the wish of those concerned in the measure to make a positive announce ment that no one other than member of the legislature and the governor has had anything at all to do with the bill. The legislature believes that 1t can take care of itself and the people at the same time Practically every one of us would resent the interference of outsiders The bill, as stated is the work of the legs- lature, and 1t bears the approval of the chief executive. No lawyer, furthermore, other than members of the legislature, has had thing to do, with the bill. Their assistance, in the first place, was not necessary, and In the second place has never been desired by members of the legislature
 Morrow Has Dinpensary Bill
 Tn this connection II IS interesting 10 note that Senator Morrow within few weeks will introduce a local Jefferson county hill providing for a system of dis pensaries for Jefferson to be operated in conjunction with beer buffets.
 My bill will be broader than the gen eral dispensary bill introduced byNSena- tor Moody" stated Senator Morrow.
 By it's provisions there will be ten or fifteen dispensaries in the county, about six of which will be located in BirmiAg- ham. N
 '.The bill will provide for the creation of an excise commission, which shai have to do with the issuance of licenses to the operators of beer bufets, ant which shall determine In what hotels ant clubs beer can be served
 '.The bill will provide for compara lively small license for the beer buffets 1t being the purpose of the bill to attacl whisky by encouraging the drinking the lighter beverages. The. bill shal name the members of the excise commis sion and the members will be men o big caliber and of generally recognizes integrity" f' Ii.,
 In case the general local option bill i enacted into law the local bill of Senate Morrow, in case of It's adoption, will. 0 course render the former null nd vol r ,. Ta~oruou couutv ir ancorn ed