The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
Temperance Committee to Hold Meeting Tonight
 to Hear Arguments
SMALL COUNTIES WILL
 HAVE TO BE PLAcATED
pOrtunity to Vote For What They Want-LocaI Optionists Have
 Majority If United
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

w.
 Montgomery, January 25.-(Specal) j. While it is generally admitted that the local option strength of both houses ex- ceeds the prohibition strength, neverthe- less 1t is now considered very doubtful as to whether or not the general local option bill presented yesterday by Rep resentative John V. Smith of Montgom- cry will be able to escape the whirlpools and the rocks in it's cruise through the legislature.
 There is no doubt but that there is dissension in the ranks of the local op- tionists, or rather dissatisfaction or dis appointment Every man has not received what he wanted, and, every man will not cast his ballot for the adoption of a pol icy, even though it be an administration policy, unless certain conditions are met and certain provisions are granted.
 The chief complaint against the bill is that, applying as it does only to cities of 10000 and more population. it is not in exact accord with the platform of the party.
 ''Give the little counties a right to ex- press themselves is the argument. "Un- der the platform the smaller counties are entitled to vote themselves. We are will ing that Jefferson and Mobile and Mont gomery have what they want. But we want what we want, also"
 To Thresh Out Difference
 Chairman Smith of the temperance com mittee, announced this afternoon that tomorrow night there will occur a meet ing of his committee.
 At that meeting each representative of thes4 smaller counties of the state will he able to express himself. Ali local bills in regard to liquor will be discussed too.
 As a result of this meeting it is hoped that such arrangements can be made that the entire local option strength can be rushed to meet the strength of the prohibitionists when the time of voting arrives.
 In this connection it is interesting to note that bill is being prepared at the present time which has for it's pur- pose the granting of certain rights to those counties and those cities which are not affected by the general administration local option bill. This bill will provide that each county of the state can, by procedure to be regulated, vote on the question of dispensary or no dispensary for any city in the county Wnlcn may be designated.
 The general local option bill, 1t is be- lieved were 1t put to test as it now stands, would receive the unanimous vote of the delegations of the three big coun- ties of the state. But it is known that some members of the Jefferson county delegation would select that course as the lesser of two evils, it being apparent that they would either be compelled so 10 vote or to align themselves with Brooks Lawrence and his henchmen.
 Some Criticism Heard
 on account of the differences of opin- ion it would be difficult matter to rearrange or amend the bill in such a way that it would meet the approval of the entire colony of local option fists.
 Representative Eastis of Jefferson, for example. states that if the bill is presented as it now stands, he will vote for it, but I would not do so joy fully" he adds. lon account of the fact that 1t contains no provisions where bv the little communities of Jefferson can gain relief from the present op- Rcprese tive Rylance of Talla- poosa So sss ! n faults in the bill. q would ue slail if a provision were fncorporatof vii 9reby the smaller coun- ties wouAd b. nabled t., vote the ouestion Of ouor or no liquor; say, two yeafa fradi the present time"
 Reprssent we Lane of Lawrence count a local optionist to the core. repretenss x prohibition territory. ssIawpailce Junty." he says, lis satis- fed agifh oDnditions s they are to- day--tsar S., insofar as those cond- tions hGr to Lawrence county. I am glaf W II does not affect my county Ivil oprt it.
 rs tfrj ,ntative Pruett of Bulock a L sn n ionist. states: T will oppose .ne h.l as 1t now stands So will my otraf .e, MT. Jenkins We want the sAn.e ghts that Montgomery will have : We want to vote on the liquor cues lon although 1t is practical certain W " that the majority of our people are ppposed to the idea of open saloons put we do not believe the bill, as il DIV stands. Is in accord with the loca -otion plank of the democratic party
 Some Remedies Proposed -----S Representative Williams of Barbour says: tThere are certain features o the bill which are objectionable, O course. I presume many of these ob jectionable features can be obviated by local bills. For instance. will presen local bill for Barbour. providing fo the establishment of dispensaries a Eufaula, Clayton and Clio" Chairman Smith of the temperance committee is positive that the loca option strength as contrasted to thu strength of the prohibitiorists in th house is in a ratio of GO to 40, an, that on popular local option bill tn senate would cast a favorable vote o 1e---a- good majority. ss5altst
 fsIts.> reasonable to presume, there fore. that on account of minor differ ences, there will occur no split in tn liberal faction, which split would giv the ultras the opening for whcih the are feverishly awaiting.
 It Is the general opinion of the loca optionist leaders here that certain com promises will be effected which VII result in the practical repeal of tn prohibition Legislation. The represen tatives of little counties may be tolt