The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-02
SALOON LICENSES MUST BE RENEWED Many Technical Violations
 Occurred Yesterday SOME ARE REGRANTED Claimed Many Liquor Dealers Are Now Liable to the Law-Agee
 Says Blind Tigers Are
 on the Run"
SOME ARE REGRANTED

Those retail saloons, social clubs and wholesale houses that yesterday operated their places of business without first hav- ing secured liquor license for 1912 from the excise commission should get the legal scrip. this morning, 1t is stated, or not open up for business. Although it is not apprehended any arrests will be made, yet it is said that technically there were many violations of the law in Bir- mingham yesterday by some of the sa- looms as many operators did not get their licenses. It was stated that the delinquency of some of them was caused by reason of the belief that 15 days were allowed for the 1912 former saloon regime. However such is not the case and all licenses must De procured at once to exempt any dealer from prosecution, should such a course be decided upon by the grand jury now in session.
 The excise commissioners yesterday ap- peared at their offices early and remained there all day with Secretary Jack Stair ings and Assistant Secretary Mimnis, try ing to get all those who were entitled to licenses strengthened out Judge Stiles at the courthouse, the legal agent to issue licenses, was also at work during the day and large number of the commissioners certificates were presented and licenses secured
 The journey to the courthouse by the retail men was taken with perhaps more 11 ipc iy tlafr 1a m is usually the case. In real money $30OO was required by Judge Stiles before the right to retail whisky in this community was given. It is estimated that the full quoto of applications will bring the reye- nue from the retail saloon source up to $l32000 per annum. Yesterday by allowing the Morris hotel and the Mecca hotel the right to operate saloons under the 20 room hotel clause, the commissioners made room for two additional saloons. It is ex- pected that the commissioners will take such action in other cases to the end that more than Al regular saloons will be located in Birmingham. The commission CTS so far have failed to regrant T. M. Cate, a liquor wholesaler of Ensley, the right to operate and his place remains closed. This was the action in the case Of J. J. whittle, said to be operating a beer agency in Birmingham The Ensley wholesaler was reported for violating the laws only few days after his first H. cense was granted, it is said. No official announcement has been made as to the operations of Mr Whittle during the com ing year.
 The social clubs of the city, among them being the Southern club, the Country club, the University club and the Phoenix club have been granted the right to retail liquors to their members only at their respective club houses In respect to other organizations of a social nature, in- cluding the Elks, Eagles, Beavers and Lions, the excise commissioners have granted licenses to those who were al- first assumed their work.
 The statement was made yesterday by the commission that so far the legalized saloon in Birmingham merited it's warm est commendation. It was said that in no retail case had a license been refused, as the saloon men had upheld the law and assisted in every way to keep the new liquor laws in good repute.
 In reference to the blind tiger situation, Chairman w. C. Agee said the commia- sion had the illegal traffickers in booze on the run. In addition he said that the guns of the commission are being trained on the alleged blind tigers and some booming which will bring the tigers to time will start soon.'