The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-18
EXCISE COMMISSION ACTS ON LICENSES 165 Applications for Saloons Have Been Received PROTESTS ARE MADE Commissioners Concerned Chiefly as to Segregation of Liquor Dis
 tricts in Suburbs-Much
 Work Waits Ahead

After a week of preparation, the accom- plishments of which consist only of acts of segregation and the receipts of 165 sa- loon applications, the excise commission- CTS of Jefferson county. will begin their real work this morning.
 According to the Smith bill those men who have filed applications to open sa looms in Birmingham are entitled to an answer no later than the expiration of this week. It Is apprehended that sa- looms may be opened for business on the morning of October l. Therefore, begin | ming this week it is said to be the inten- ton of the excise commissioners to prene | over the 165 applicants and select from l among them the most eligible men to op- | crate saloons and pass fayorably upon their applications one week from today. | The present week it is believed will be taken up chiefly with painstalSing in- vestigation into the records of those men who have applied for licenses. The commissioners this morning will probably announce officially the segrega- tion of Bessemer, Pratt City. Vivian and Ensley. The suburbs have been subjected | to close inspection by the commissions | CTS. Information of the most intimate character has been received and there is | little else to accomplish before the an- I nouncement where saloons may or may not be located The commissioners do not l fail to attach great importance to segre- | gation of saloons in suburbs. Tn fact | it is said to be their opinion that moTe | trouble may result from inefficient segre- gation in the above places even than in | Birmingham by reason of an inadequate | police force.
 Protests have been received from many
 prominent citizens as to some applicants l advertised. As stirring as re the protests there have been recommendations. This is true of Ben F. Oldham. whose petition has been filed for business on South Twen- tieth street. Dr. B. F. Wyman endorsed Mir. Oldham with praise. Dr. Wyinan said in his note to the commission that he had known MT. Oldham in his most intimate family life, having been his phy- scan for many years. and that for lS years no more straightforward man had operated a saloon in this community
 The commissioners have been requested by business men on the south side of Third avenue between Twentieth street and Twenty-first street, to refuse saloon stands in that block. It will be recalled that the commissioners excepted that side of the block for saloons.
 A communication in reference to saloons there pointed out that all the business men on that block had been in business only a short time. were young men, strug- gling under difficulties to operate their places and that saloons in that block would mean that a vast number of ladies would shun the places there on account of the saloons.
 There seems to be a desire on the parts of the best citizens of the community to advise with the commissioners in order that the saloon men who are granted H. censes may be of good character. A notable instance of this is shown in let ter from Sheriff Walter K. McAdory. In his note Sheriff McAdory said he wanted to cooperate with the commissioners in every possible manner in order that the situation may be kept on high plane. Ike said that in the matter of licenses he had noted some men applying for licenses who should not be granted them under any circumstances The men against whom the sheriff will take a stand were not named. but 1t is held tc be probable that whoever he objects to will find it difficult proposition to secure the right to operate a saloon in this county.
 George H. Bodeker. chief of police. and his officers will also have much weight with the commissioners in hand ling the proposition of licenses. Inasmuch as the police officials are better ac-. quainted with the men applying for H. censes than the commissioners their opin-
 ions will be given consideration.
 The commissioners have received let ters of warm commendation from citizens generally. One of the most notable in- stances being from Captain Frank S. White, Sr.. who was bitterly opposed to the saloons return. From where he is spending the summer Captain White sent letter to the commission expressing his deep conviction that the commits sioners would make good in every possi- ble way and predicting that under their management the proposition would Dc well managed.