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

sherin's force has during the month of January, 1912, served over 315 war rants for blind tigerltes.
 MT. Agee, with the assistance of the United States revenue officers, accord ing to the records in the United States marshars office. nave caused eight ar rests for failing to take out govern ment license
 "rhe above figures show that the sheriffs force made on an average or 12 arrests each day for the month of January, 1912, for blind tiger keepers MT Agee also gave out the follow ing in his atement upon which sec tions of the Birmingham News made comments: For example, there Is no better illustration than the sheriffs of
 flee or coroners office. With an army of deputy sheriffs, all over the county, thoroughly trained under two admin istrations to wink" at violations of the law. one crime begets another and hence our condition today. After issu- ing some 115 licenses in Jefferson county we found that there contained some 750 blind tigers" undisturbed by the officers. in fact we found some of them at small country stations, actual ly receiving goods In carload lots Aft CT taking in the situation and finding that the sheriff made effort what ever to stop these violations of the law, put 10 the contrary. was pIOittliH6 them, we solicited the aid of the United States internal revenue depart ment. and with the aid of three of-' ficers furnished by this department we have practically. with three weeks work broken up the blind tiger and the laymen might well ask what the Isheriffs duties. are?' es '~As to tic work done by the federal au- thorities, I have given facts and figures obtained from the United States marshal's office. It is well known that it is not the policy of the United States government to prosecute any one for running a blind tiger after the government license has been paid by the blind tigerte.
 Liquor Dealers Organization
 If MT. Agee knew of 75O blind tigers in this county, why was il that he did not swear out a single warrant against any of them The Law Enforcement league, an organization among the liquor dealers of Jefferson county, working or co-operat ing with MT. Agee and the excise com mission, l am reliably informed pay monthly dues of $12.50 each per month into the treasury of said association. making an aggregate sum, if all of the 115 licenses belong to said association, of ap- proxmately S7.000 a year. I am reliably Informed that this organization is formed for the purpose of assisting the officers in the suppression of blind tigers. As far as the records in my office show, not single member of this association has ever given me any definite information as to the operation of a blind tiger in this county. or have ever sworn out a single warrant for the arrest of violator of the liquor laws.
 "As to any of my men or myself wink ing at crime. I deny the accusation. The records of my men will stand scru- t,,.r ts1ar ,,,t.a have been honored through the elector- ate, not by appointment. some of them being placed in the executive positions of towns now part of Birmingham, others have made themselves honored in busi- ness and other positions, served on alder manic boards in the city: others have ndorsement of some Of the most sub. stantial citizens of the county, and still others have ascended to positions of trust and honor other than through an appon- tive power. If there has been any wink ing at crime by the sheriff's force I am uniformed. but I will say that If the proof is furnished me, proof from re- liable and trustworthy source, l will not hesitate in removing from my service and also prosecuting the offender. It is unfair to play to the prejudices by gen eral assertion as to the honesty of a deputy
 q urge specification on this score. and assure MT. Agee that if he can present the proof that it. too. will be considered.
 Grand Jury's Report
 ''The September. 1911, grand jury, &C., cording to the Birmingham News and other critics, was composed of IS as fear. less, conscientious and honest men as ever served any. county in an inquisitoriai position. In accordance with their duty and instructions from the presiding judge of the court, made, among other things, thorough investigation into the sheriffs office, his business policy, his efficiency, his activity. etc, and after this searching inquiry in one of the most startling and effective reports, said of me and my office. -..'.s.as
 
 Cbor;ff Cor,v,I;r~act.S