The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-25


 substantiation the sheriff submits an affi davit of H. B. Hopper, made before Pro bate Judge ]. P. Stiles, to the effect that Mr. Agee discharged Mir Hopper from the employ of the Birmingham grain exchange because he 01opper) had reported to Con- nie Austin that there were two cars of beer on the Frisco team track
 MT. McAdory gives detailed figures on the arrests made by the sheriff's forces for violation of the liquor laws. His state ment in full is as follows:
 Sheriff's Formal Statement
 "On my return to the city from short vacation find that statements were given out to the press by W. C. Agee. chairman of the excise commission of Jefferson county, and commented on by the Blr- mingham News that should receive re- ply. While l have always invited criti- csm I have ever been ioath to enter into a newspaper controversy Elected by the people of a large and prosperous county, a county in which have spent all of my days, I do not believe that any man can cast upon ma or my administration the least aspersior. Born in this county, hon ored more than once, and honored highly not only by the votes of the people but otherwise in the county and throughout the state, my life has been an open book and when one even dares to intimate that there is blot upon any of my pages, do not seek the erasure but present the facts that the error can be settled upon without prejudice.
 q had not desired to answer criticisms as to the system in vogue in this state, the fee system. of which had no hand in making or perpetuating, save where there were insinuations that I had done things that might enhance the income at the expense and suffering of individuals, the county or the state. However, MT Kgee has seen fit to make comments that are not based on facts and which, unless answered, might give the public an op- portunity to arrive at false conclusions.
 'The' statement of Mir Agee, in the press of February 6, includes statements anent the blind tiger business of the coun- ty, my office. which means self and depu- ties, that demands a reply. and com parsion of conditions, as regards an elec- tive officer and an appointive one.
 Contains Fatal Omission
 That MT. Agee has made the statement that the United Sttaes revenue agents have with the aid of the excise commis- sion almost broken up the blind tiger busi- ness. when, with but little effort. he could have enumerated the cases, is fatal omission 1t would seem to be a truth St tion of blind tigers Is amusing; if this is true then there is little left for the sheriff or chief of police to do, and Mr. Agee, the wonder of the age is the 'noblest Roman of all.'
 "Mr. Agee's statement says: The eye- nue agents have with the aid of this com mission almost broken up the blind tiger keepers. I do not hesitate to say that fewer blind tigers are operating now than ever before In this district The reason for that Is that we have the exact infor- nation on them and have caused their arrest and the United States revenue de- partment is behind us. l think 1t IS posi- tively a reflection upon the officers Of this city and county that state and county body such as the excise commission must appeal to the federal government to han de our police problems. Yet that is what this commission was forced to do.
 "Jt Is silly and absurd for any man to say that blind tigers cannot be broken up. I do not hesitate to say that even in prohibition times if set my head to root out the tigers they would go think 1t absurd and equally silly for any tt,o Ia rrl q superior to the law. That cannot be true.' -
 Records of Marshaps Office MT. Asee states in the above that he has the exact information on 75o blind tigers. and he has caused their arrest. Where are the warrants and bonds in all these cases Mir. Agee has had arrested? The records in the United States mar shars office do not show but eight arrests for selling liquor without United States license. The United States records show seven other arrests since October l.. 1911, for violating the refilling act. and all seven of these arrests are licensed saloon men under MT. Agee. Has Mir. Agee, ever s,ls- pended the license of these men or even reprimanded them7
 ''No, the facts as to the blind tigers and the work done by the United States reve- nue onfcers, the reueraf authorities. are easily secured The records show that since local option went into effect United States officers have arrested only eight men for violation of the revenue law, which means the blind tiger Seven other arrests were made by three special federal officers who worked on these mat ters, but the charges were for violating federal statutes opposing the refilling of bottles with lower proof liquor. Fifteen arrests fin all. and yet MT. Agee tells the people. that the federal authorities assist ed in eradicating the blind tigers in this county. The seven. men arrested on charges of refilling bottles with liquor un- der proof were men or firms with licenses from the excise commission. Six out Of the seven men charged with refilling bot ties with lower proof liquor and holding excise commission permits were men who had been arrested during prohibition days in this county for violating the prohibit