The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-12
EXCISE BOARD IS NOW READY FOR ANY FORMAL BUSINESS Pinkney City Man Presents the First Application
 for License COMMISSION TAKES THE OATHS OF OFFICE Understood That One of First Acts Will Be to Outline Territory
 Where Saloons Will Not
 Be Permitted

After qualifying as excise commls- soners yesterday morning before Judge I p Stiles of the probate court, the ommissioners elected to use tempo rarilv the offices of Chief of Police George H. Bodeker in the city hall. It was decided to hold the first pupllc meeting of the excise commissioners this morning at 10 o'clock. At .hls meeting 1t is apprehendedN that mum Der of applications for license will be received by the commissioners
 The first application, however to be received was that of M. J. Linn or Pinkney City. in the western part or this county Ills attorney, Thomas Judge, member of the legislature ap- peared at the city hall yesterday ana presented Secretary Jack Stallings with the formal application and a SlV plh, the fee required by law from all ap- plicants. The petition and money were taken by the secretary
 Chairman w. c. Agee and Commis- sioners Moore and Wilkinson met yes terday morning first at the Morris ho- tel about 10 o'clock. After comforting
  created officials repaired to room Sl1 of the Merris hotel. where they dis cussed informally the question of qual- flying with Lee Cowart, commission CT of agriculture and Immigration, and George H. Bodeker. chief of police. After deliberating for some time the commissioners left for the courthouse, where they qualified before Judge Stiles.
 Take Two Oaths
 The two oaths taken, one of which is known as the dueling oath, fol- low:
 'I do solemnly swear that I am not disfranchised by the consti- tuition of Ala abania, or the constitution and laws of the United States; that I will honestly and faithfully support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States, the union of the states, and the constitution and laws of the state of Alabama, so long as I remain citizen thereof, and that will honestly and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which l am about to enter to the best of my ability, so help me God.
 q, -, do solemnly swear that have not, directly or indirectly, given. accepted, or knowingly carried chal- lenge, in writing or otherwise, to any person being a citizen of this state, to fight with deadly weapons. either in or out of the state, or aided or abetted Tn the same since I have been a citizen thereof and that I will not, directly or indirectly give accept. or Knowingly carry challenge to any person being citizen of this state, to fight with deadly weapons, either in or out of the state, or in any manner aid or abet the same during my continuance in of- flee"
 Official Talk at Courthouse
 Immediately after that formality the commissioners went to the second di- vision of the city court, where the first official talk was held. They let it be- come generally known that strict ob- servance of all provisions of the Smith bill would be their watch word, and that the most careful scrutiny would be exercised over every application. The commissioners all the while were attended by many interested citizens, and the most pleasing opinions seemed to be formed froms the side remarks and general indica tion of the men who are to regulate saloons In this county.
 After determining that in the court house no headquarters could be found, the commissioners talked over some routine propositions and then left for the city hall to pay formal call upon the city commissioners. That one act seemed yesterday to eliminate. Q great deal of speculation as to which of the two bodies would take the in- itiative in opening the cordial CO., operation which everyone expects to be exhibited by the two bodies
 President Culpepper EXum of the Birmingham commissioners was at his office when the three officials and Sec retary Stallings arrived. Secretary Ryall immediately informed the pres ident of the call, and in another mo- ment the two associate commission ers Judge Lane and James Weather ly, were seated at the mahogany table with the excise commissioners. The officials felicitated the newly appoint. ed commissioners upon their appoint ments and there seemed to be general pleasure that the new body had de- termined to get right down to work.
 Matter of Location
 Several matters were discussed the most important of which to all those attending was that of location and segregation. While nothing was done officially and nothing will be done un- til this morning, the two commission CTS seemed to be in accord on the one fact that the saloons must not be placed in certain localities. It is ap- nrehended that absolutely no saloons will be allowed on certain avenues. On this question it is understood that Chief Bodeker will be consulted be- cause of his thorough information on conditions
 The general opinion seems toabe that in the shopping center, where the ladies of Birmingham are accustomed to do their daily shopping, will not be disturbed by any saloon, however well mana ged. It is also said to be a proposed policy of the commission that no saloons will be allowed outside of certain zone It Is gathered that the commissioners believe 1t Is best to have the saloons where they can be under police surveillance at all times and at the same time not within those avenues whereon are located the principal shops.
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