The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-06

anything to drink was desired. In order to see what would be served, the writer asked for a half pint of the best whisky that eonld be obtained in the town. Tho boy returned few minutes afterward with A bottle containing vile decoction for which the boy demanded and received K cents. Thus the "blind tiger" took up the work of distributing cheap liquor, at advanced prices when the olspehsaiS closed for the night F.
 Committee of Ftfty
 - In it's review of the liquor traffic Tn America. the committee of 50 goes on rec ord as strongly opposed to the dispensary system and in favor of the well regulated and licensed saloon. The committee was composed of famous American sociolos- ists, among them being such men as Seth Low, l.. l.. D., Charles Dudley war ner. Prof Frances Peabody D. D,' Charles w Eliot, L. l.. D., Carroll D. Wright, A. NJ, L. L. D., Bishop Edward G. Andrews, D. D.. Charles J. Bonaparte' Rt Rev. Thomas Conaty, D. D., Rt Rev. T. r. Gailor, D. D., Rt. Rev. Washington Gladden., D. D.. l.. l.. D.. Richard w. Glider, Rt. Rev. H. c. Potter, and others. It would be difficult to select a commit- tee of higher character and scholarships This committee found that the saloon is the poor mans club in that 1t offers him, with much that is undoubtedly in- furious, a measure of fellowship and recreation for which he would look else- where in vain" The committed in it's book on substitutes for the saloon says, ''the laborng ban out of employment knows that in some saloon he is likely rot only to find temporary relief, but assis,- ance in finding work Many man has been put on his feet by just this kind of help"
 The New Law
 The new dispensary law of Alabama on which Jefferson county will vote at the coming election offers no reasonable sub stitute for the saloon. Under the Smith license law, adequate regulations are set down by which the saloon may be well controlled. There are no provisions pose sible by which the evils of dispensary may be eliminated. In spite of the pro- visions of the act making it a misde- meanor for a purchasing agent or dis- penser to receive a commission. rebate, gift or compensation of any kind 1t Is possible for a dispenser to find means to take these gifts.
 In spite or the provision making it a misdemeanor to drink liquor within 50 yards of a dspensary. means may be fNVnd for drinking liauor in such man. ner that the authorities may be kept in G-noiance. In spite of the provision re- quring the hours of sale to be to 6, liquors may be sold during the nfght- lime. Thus will continue the reign of the blind tiger and 'bootlegger." of which Birmingham and Jefferson county have seen enough.
 People Must Decide The issue is plain. Will the people of Jefferson county vote for the dispensary with, it's numerous evils and possibilities of evil with its graft its corrupt poli- tics; it's opportunity for political machin- cry, its attendant illegal sale of whisky, it's temptation to the negro. as well as to the white, to drink more than ordinarily they would because of having to buy their liquor in large packages
 Or will the people of Jefferson county vote the return of the saloon, limited to one for every 5000 of population, and un- der strict regulations laid down by a good law which guarantees that the saloons will be well conducted and well con- trolled?
 It's up to the people of Jefferson county. What are they going to do about it?